How to Find Your Strengths
If I asked you, “what are your strengths?” what would you say?
Would you immediately name what you’re best at? Or would it be a struggle to come up with an answer?
If you find you’re usually down on yourself, it can be hard to answer the question. In fact, you might feel like you’re not good at anything.
Well, I’m here to tell you, you are good at something—even if you don’t believe it…yet. Today I’m going to help you learn how to uncover strengths you might not even be aware of.
Below I have a list of several resources that can help you discover your strengths and even help you to recall them when you need to be reminded.
The ADHD Strength Finder
This is a resource I created through Take Control ADHD. When you sign up, I will send you a new email each day for 7 days with short prompts to help you discover your strengths and learn how to use them.
VIA Character Strength Survey
On a recent episode of Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast, Pete and I sat down with TCA Coach, Lynn Warner, to talk about finding your strengths and celebrating the wins. During our conversation, Lynn brought up the VIA Character Strength Survey.
This is a free survey. The site says it only takes about 10 minutes to complete and you’ll be given a personalized report of your strengths as well as actionable steps you can take to start using them.
Poll the people you know
This one can be a little intimidating, so I suggest you go to people you trust and respect. Ask them what they think your strengths are. Sometimes we have a hard time ‘seeing the forest through the trees’. It’s not always easy to see your strengths through a first-person lens. Check with people you consistently interact with, and I bet they will be able to give an honest opinion of what you’re good at.
Start a success journal
It’s a lot easier to remember the successes when they’re happening than trying to recall them when you might be experiencing a setback. Instead of relying on your ADHD memory, write down the moments where you experienced a win, or when you’re recognized for good work by someone else. This is a great item to pull out when you’re going through a low point and remind yourself of your previous successes.
Prepare for ‘future you’
It can be hard to mentally pull yourself out of a slump. You can help your future self and prepare for these moments by taking favorite photos, quotes, or words of affirmation you’ve received from others and put them in easy-to-see places around your home. Sometimes a tangible, visible cue can be enough to lift you up.
I hope you might find some hope and inspiration in some of these suggestions. I understand that it can be difficult to find the silver lining if you’re experiencing a setback or feeling down.
These suggestions aren’t magic—they won’t instantly fix everything—but they’re a start. A start to believing in yourself and begin to realize that you have what it takes to be your best self and live your best life.
You’re worth it!
Thank you for your time and attention,
-Nikki
