Ever play golf and land a shot where you get to tap the ball in?

Or have a moment when you tap into your gut, decide and take action?

How about tapping into your memory to relive a savored experience?

How often do you tap into a colleague or friend for their expertise or wisdom?

Tapping in is what we do when we access our resources. It can be easy to do (golf ball) or make the next step we take easier as a result (your colleague/friend). Tapping into our strengths gives us a sense of competence and agency. It moves the needle, creates traction & fuels momentum.

We all have strengths. Whether you've been told them, have taken an assessment or just know what you're good at, you have strengths.

Think of something that comes naturally to you. Maybe its your humor, analytical skills or ability to connect easily with others.

Often people say, "Doesn't everyone think like that?" Our strengths are so familiar to us, we assume everyone must have the same ability. Truth is -- not really. That's because for you, this talent, quality or ability is something you bring to the table. Sure, you may recognize similarities in others, but it won't be everyone, all the time, in the same way.

What do you consider to be your top strengths?

These are natural - they come easy to you. You enjoy using them. You've probably developed them over time with knowledge, skills & practice. When you use your strengths, you feel energized rather than depleted.

Do you get to use your strengths everyday?

Research shows that when we know and tap into our strengths daily, we are:

6x as likely to be engaged at work

7.8% more productive in our roles

3x as likely to have an excellent quality of life

6x as likely to do what we do best everyday

Grow Them

CliftonStrengths divide their 34 Talent themes into Strengths Domains: Executing, Strategic Thinking, Relationship Building & Influencing.

We may have strengths that are spread across these domains or are more concentrated in one area. The domains show us where we can have the biggest impact.

Do you intuitively want to get things done? Are you adept with structure, systems, processes and timelines?

People strong in the Executing Domain are wired to DO and lead with effort. They view the world thru a lens of productivity: action that can happen, has happened, needs to happen. They have a drive to get things done and are motivated to implement a solution more than tinker with the process.

• Measure & track your progress
• Partner with people who have strong strategic thinking & influencing strengths. Your practicality will turn their ideas into reality.
• Take time to slow down & look for opportunities to connect, influence and think critically.
• Partnering with strong relationship building people will encourage you to celebrate achievements and stay flexible

Are you a big thinker? Like to strategize, brainstorm, think deeply?

People dominant in the Strategic Thinking Domain help us consider what could be. They absorb and analyze & dream in order to inform better decisions. The power of these strengths brings a depth and breadth of consideration to problems.

• Schedule time for thinking
• Warm up & cool down from your brain work
• Know what environment stimulates your thinking - is it nature? focused time alone? in collaboration with others?
• Beware analysis paralysis
• Partner with people who have strong executing strengths who will help you get your ideas off the ground. Those with influencing & relationship strengths will launch your ideas to a new level.

Do you describe yourself as a "people person"? Do others see you as the glue?

People with dominant Relationship Building strengths are skilled at building strong relationships and making a team greater than the sum of its parts. They connect individually and create connections among groups of individuals. They see challenges thru the lens of human connection and reach solutions through people.

• Make sure you get the chance to connect daily with people
• Take advantage of groups to crowd source when considering strategies & decisions
• Partner with strategic thinking & executing strengths to bring your people skills in to personalize plans and actions. Their strengths will help you to prioritize and keep momentum going.
• Be aware of your own needs & pay attention to boundaries

Do you excel at motivating and persuading others to act? Do people comment on your energy & passion?

Those with strong Influencing strengths know how to take charge, speak up and make sure others are heard. They are promoters, advocators and amplifiers. They have a knack for accentuating and accelerating the ideas of others to create something more effective, attractive or meaningful.

• Make sure you are not isolated
• Share your energy, comfort with risk taking, network & communication skills
• Stay consistent & focused
• Partner with Thinkers & Doers to elevate their ideas and work

Where do I want to go?

Think about your direction for 2023.

• Which strengths will help you get started?
• Keep you going?
• Help you finish?
• What could you use a little more of? Little less of?

Try

• Dialing up or down your own strengths
• Seeking someone who has strengths you don't
• Partnering with someone whose strengths amplify, activate or buffer your own

Tap Into Your Strengths. Expand. Hone. Share!

Reap the Rewards. Momentum. Fulfillment. Growth!