Inventorying Your Strengths by Suzanne Scheideker Cook

“Sometimes, all it takes is a little inspiration to bring out that inner strength.” - Anonymous

When I am going through a challenging time in my life, I forget that I have inner strengths that will propel me past the rough patch so that I can continue to move forward. I think that most of us are like this – we forget to regularly take inventory of our strengths and how we can use them in living successfully today and to make a better future for ourselves and our loved ones. 

Here are some things that I do when I feel discouraged and need to change gears to move forward. Hopefully, they will help you too.

1. Write down your strengths. Why should you write your strengths down? As we have discussed, many experts and studies agree that writing makes our thinking and learning permanent. (Some studies have shown that the exercise of writing daily can even act as a preventative measure against some types of illnesses such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.) Now, review the list of your strengths. Ask yourself which strengths can help you to resolve your problem(s). Circle those strengths.

2. Take another few minutes to reflect on how you can leverage the strengths that you circled to  help you. Very few of us leverage our strengths. When you do this, you are intentionally taking advantage of your strengths which gives you an advantage in any situation. 

3. Memorize your strengths to memory. Throughout the day, recall them. Use one as a mantra. For instance, “I am strong, and I face my problems with courage.”

4. Become aware of people and things that inspire because of the strengths they have exhibited and how these strengths have made the world a better place. For instance, I am continually inspired by the amazing example of Captain Sir Thomas Moore. He pledged to walk 100 laps in his garden by his 100th birthday. His original goal was to raise $1,250 for the NHS Charities Together which supports hospitals, health workers, and individuals stricken with COVID. By the time, he was done, he had raised $45 million for health charities.

Your challenge: Say “All I need is within me right now.” Remember, your strengths make you unstoppable.

Suzanne Scheideker Cook is the founder of Strategic Ventures and author of A Mentor At Your Fingertips. Suzanne worked her way up from clerk typist to senior management in the city of Los Angeles, and is now a consultant within the construction, transportation, and logistics industries. Additionally, Suzanne is a mentor for graduate business students at the University of Redlands’ School of Business.