Years ago I saw a stage show called “Triple Espresso” when it was new. The creators, writers, and stars were three gentleman who basically just took their talents and pieced them together into a storyline. It turned out to be one of the funniest shows I’ve ever seen. I was literally crying and slapping my leg. And I saw it three times.
They led with their strengths and they were on their way to Broadway. They didn’t look for a script in which to mold themselves into. They looked at their talents and designed a way to showcase them.
You should too.
We all have unique gifts and talents. We’re really good at certain things and not so good at others. I will never be an opera singer, a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, or an engineer. Those just aren’t my strengths.
Continually trying to be something you are not or were not cut out to be can be frustrating, demoralizing, and in some cases a waste of time. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t attempt to grow and learn and become everything you were meant to be.
It means you should honor and lead with your strengths.
On a sheet of paper, make two columns. In the left column, list at least ten of your strengths, talents, gifts, skills - the kind of things that come naturally to you. They may be such a part of you that you’ve never really thought of them as strengths before.
In the right column, indicate which aspects of your business lend themselves well to that particular strength. For instance, if you said that one of your strengths is that you “listen well” than the parts of your business that are best served by that strength might be something like “leadership” or “networking events.”
You may find that you have strengths that don’t seem to have a matching business area. This is where you can get creative and develop a business way of showcasing that strength, talent, or skill.
Let’s say one of your strengths (and passions!) is “cooking.” At first glance, you might think that has nothing to do with your business….and you’re probably right unless you run a cooking school! But what if you answered this question,
“How can I best showcase my talent and love of cooking in my business?”
You might decide to use cooking themes, props, or symbols in your marketing. Maybe you become the Cooking Chiropractor or design the Realtor’s Cookbook.
You will always do better by leading with your strengths than doing something you were not designed to do. Yes, you can work on your weaknesses but you’ll probably just get “better” weaknesses. Why not play to your strengths and enjoy the process at the same time?
Be Bold!
- Ann Vertel
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