Key 5: Strengths

Becoming aware of your strengths helps
you identify, develop, and share them.

Daniel enjoyed his job as field technician. Every week he was out on the road helping clients solve their technical problems. Over the years, Daniel had built a foundation of solid relationships with his clients and was continually bringing in new business. When it came time for Daniel’s boss to retire, Daniel was recommended to take his place. Daniel reluctantly accepted the position because he thought it might offer him a chance to learn new skills.

Within two weeks of starting in his new position, Daniel was feeling completely out of his element. The manager’s job was entirely different from his position as a field technician. He was in the office five days a week and his meetings were only with other executives and the people he managed. After completing a strengths assessment, Daniel discovered his biggest strength was not managing people, but interacting with customers. Daniel decided to meet with the CEO and ask for his old job back. Fortunately, another candidate was still available for the manager’s position, and Daniel went back to his old job. Daniel realized how being aware of his strengths had allowed him to be in a position that nurtured his well-being.

This week, think of something that you enjoy doing and that you do well. How often do you have the chance to do it? How can you add more of it to your work and life? For example, if you like graphic design and it’s not part of your job, perhaps you can add some graphics to your status reports, presentations, or meeting agendas? Or maybe there’s a chance for you to use your talents in a special event or project? Be willing to see how creative you can be about integrating your strengths and talents into what you already do.

To your best balanced life! 

The Ambassador of Goodwill

This is an except from 21 Keys to Work/Life Balance. Find the rest of the message for this key and other keys for finding better work/life balance at: 21keystoworklifebalance.com

Passion on Purpose

"Your true passion should feel like 

breathing; it's that natural."

Oprah Winfrey

"Wow! Just look at her go!" I exclaimed as I saw the exuberant musician attack her instrument during a performance of Shostakovich's Cello Concerto No. 1 at Orchestra Hall. "Now that's passion in action." What had started in a demure and proper way—cellist dressed in a fancy evening gown with cello in-hand and hair styled neatly—quickly turned into a flurry of fingers, strings, a relentless bow, and hair flying everywhere. Alisa Weilerstein was in her element.

Passion? Undoubtedly. But do we all play the cello? Of course not. However, whether it's playing music, building a shed, or teaching a class, discovering and incorporating passion into our lives and work is something we can do easily—that is, if we are aware of what our passion is.

Discovering our passion first starts with awareness. How do we find our passion? A quick support is Passion Test: The Effortless Path to Discovering Your Life Purpose, by Chris and Janet Bray Attwood. The Attwoods take you through the process to help you find and activate your passion. They even have a simple test on their website. Awareness starts with recognizing passion in others as well ourselves. Think of those times you felt happy or at peace. What were you doing? Who were you with? What environment where you in?

Finding passion in your life is a key essential to well-being and purpose. Like finding better balance, passion is a natural part of who we already are—it's always inside of us. We just need to pay attention and notice what it feels like. We can connect with our passion more easily when we are in alignment.

Do you think passion has a role in the workplace? According to the 2011 Deloitte Shift Index Survey, passionate people were twice as likely to be 'energized' or 'inspired' by unexpected challenges in the workplace than those who were disengaged. This is a prime indicator that being passionate about what we do and who we are makes a different. Deloitte's study also revealed that passionate employees constantly seek to stimulate new thinking and creativity. And what company doesn't need more of that?! 

Since passion is something that is dynamic, we can learn to activate our passion by incorporating it into what we already do. For example, if you love cooking, you don't necessarily have to be chef for a living, but you could volunteer to cook for an upcoming fundraiser or charity event. How about if your passion is sports? Your passion for football can put you in a state of joy by coaching your son's football team. Be creative! 

Above all else, remember that passion is a part of who you already are—a part of your core and sense of purpose. Reconnecting with yourself, your gifts, and your happiness will always help bring more passion into your life on purpose.

Read more about living your passion on purpose in my third book, 21 Keys to Work/Life Balance, coming in 2013!

Connect with yourself; connect with others; connect with the world.

Namaste,

The Ambassador of Goodwill