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Welcome to the Personal Development for Smart People Forums, the place for lively, intelligent discussion of all personal growth issues -- physical, mental, financial, social, emotional, spiritual, and more. You're currently viewing as a guest, which gives you limited read-only access. By joining our free community, you'll be able to post your own messages, access many members-only features, see the new messages posted since your last visit, and of course remove this header message. Registration is fast, simple, and free, so please join today. If you arrived here from a search engine, you may want to explore the main site first, which includes hundreds of deep and insightful articles on a variety of personal development topics. |
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11-17-2006, 12:20 PM
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 Any readers of Now, Discover Your Strengths? I think this book has a lot of potential for me. I read it and did the strength finder profile, and found my top five strengths and wasn't surprised. However, I think these strengths would help to fit me in a position somewhere that I could excel in, or show me some sort of entrepreneurial venture I could start or a major part I could play in an entrepreneurial venture. You guys want to help? Here are my top 5. Woo- People strong in the Woo theme love the challenge of meeting new people and winning them over. They derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection with another person. Intellection- People strong in the Intellection theme are characterized by their intellectual activity. They are introspective and appreciate intellectual discussions. Connectedness- People strong in the Connectedness theme have faith in the links between all things. They believe there are few coincidences and that almost every event has a reason. Communication- People strong in the Communication theme generally find it easy to put their thoughts into words. They are good conversationalists and presenters. Focus- People strong in the Focus theme can take a direction, follow through, and make the corrections necessary to stay on track. They prioritize, then act.      |
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11-17-2006, 12:28 PM
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| ^ Cool. I just got a copy of it from the libary. I'll read it and let ya know.
__________________ Mind-Manual "Pure hell forces action, but anything less can be endured with enough clever rationalization." - Tim Ferriss |
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11-18-2006, 12:20 AM
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| This and the other two books in Marcus Buckingham's 'trilogy' of sorts are probably all in my top-10 on my bookshelf. Unfortunately it's pricey for an individual ($100 something) since it is being marketed toward organizations, but for further information on the subject of finding your strengths can be found in then short film series "Trombone Player Wanted" if you want to check that out. Only last point to note - you might either want to re-take that test in the future or be slightly wary of its results. Perhaps I just suck at consistency, am highly influenced by my mindset at the time, or have really changed, but I've taken the test twice, a year apart, and had significantly different results. Approx. 2 years ago: 1. Restorative 2. Futuristic 3. Competition 4. Strategic 5. Focus Approx. 1 year ago: 1. Futuristic 2. Learner 3. Maximizer 4. Input 5. Relator |
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11-18-2006, 12:32 AM
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| I read the book earlier this year and took the Strengths Finder test. My top 5 strengths were (in order):
I highly recommend the book, but I think the online test is the most interesting part. Just make sure you don't get a used copy, since it's likely the code that comes with the book won't work. Each code is good for only one use.
__________________ Steve Pavlina www.StevePavlina.com Get my new book Personal Development for Smart People (now available at Amazon.com) |
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11-18-2006, 04:14 AM
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| I read the book and did the test about 4 years ago. Thats my result: 1.) Achiever 2.) Intellection 3.) Learner 4.) Deliberative 5.) Strategic I can remember that I found the results to be quite accurate. As I reread the testreport today I still think that they descripe the way I work/think. |
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11-18-2006, 02:14 PM
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| Great books I have read all of the Strengths books and have implemented the philosophy at our school. I am a huge believer in them as I have seen the use in many areas and the atmosphere at work improve. One example: I am not an organized person. In so many self-improvement conversations (books, forums, etc.) I have heard people say basically, "just get it done." When I decided to search my strengths for ways to be more organized, I realized that my competition theme (comparing to others, keeping score, etc.) could help. I had a grant monitoring project that needed organized and I realized if I approached it with a mindset of having a better process and organization than others, I would get it done. And did. Anyway, I really believe it works if we continue to look at and search for the nuances of our strengths. I've been working with Strengths in a school setting for three years and can't wait to see the results after we do some work with our students. My top 5 (and you'll see why action can be an issue  ) - Ideation, Learner, Futuristic, Strategic, Competition. |
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11-18-2006, 04:20 PM
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| I was lucky enough to get the full readout through work a few years ago (all 34 in order) rather than just the top five. I was given a personal reading and in that it isn't just the order, but the relative positions between things that can affect the interpretation. My top strength was Empathy. Until I did the test I didn't know this was a strength. I just thought it was normal to be able to tune into what people were feeling and understand things from their perspective even if I didn't necessarily agree with it. My next three were similar: Input, Learner and Intellection in that I like thinking and understanding, I'm always reading and surfing the net for interesting information. My fifth was Adaptability so I am good at dealing with change. My lowest was Discipline (no surprises for anyone who knows me there) but fortunately I have Arranger and Responsibility in my top 10, so use those strengths to get things done. I did find it useful, especially as I had a 1:1 session with a practitioner to explain it all. I'd be interested to do it again to see how changing as a person, changes your score. |
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11-18-2006, 04:39 PM
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| I've got a question for those people who have read it: I have often find tests which are supposed to tell me about myself to be self-confirming. That is, when I'm in an organized/organizing mood, I'll get a result that says I'm organized. If I've recently told myself (or heard) that I'm a smart person, I score better on tests requiring intelligence. Basically, this all has to do with the committment and consistancy tendancy of humans. Is this test self-confirming like that? I'll read the book to find out specifically, but I'd love to hear any thoughts.
__________________ Mind-Manual "Pure hell forces action, but anything less can be endured with enough clever rationalization." - Tim Ferriss |
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11-18-2006, 06:18 PM
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| I went through the book about 18 months ago with the people in my department. We work well together and it was interesting that each person shared one strength with one other person who shared a different strength with someone else on the team. One of my coworkers was unhappy with his results because each strengths was similar. Made him feel one dimensional. . A few months later when our department was reorganized he took the test again and the results were virtually identical. I recently went back and reviewed the results. I have my strengths printed out and posted to my wall. 1. Achiever 2. Focus 3. Intellection 4. Maximizer 5. Responsibility Seems accurate to me. Interesting that several people here posted inellection as one of their strengths. |
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11-18-2006, 09:54 PM
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So it seems to me a first question is: What do you want to do? Or, what do you want to experience? Then with a goal in mind, we can look at your strengths and say how you may most easily accomplish it. |
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11-18-2006, 11:58 PM
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I couldn't work for a nonprofit though, I have a yearning for moolah. I was hoping this would be sort of a focus group for my path to career choice. I could sell well, I'd kick ass at HR or PR, I'd make an excellent marketing goon, and my brain is always working. I just don't know what or where I'm wanted or needed! My modesty helps too.  |
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11-19-2006, 03:37 AM
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I'm in a similar situation, but have decided that whatever I am doing right now is on the path to greater things. I meditate and use intention-manifestation to have the direction come to me. |
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11-19-2006, 01:55 PM
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Working for a non-profit doesn't prevent you from making money. You can be a chief executive of a non-profit and make $2 million a year, if that is the value that you bring to the cause. (The Chronicle: 9/28/2006: Top Nonprofit Executives See Healthy Pay Raises) Nor does being a "non-profit" mean that an organization is doing good work. The National Association of Chemical Polluters is a non-profit. (OK, so they don't actually have "Polluters" in their name A "non-profit" is merely a tax vehicle which allows additional donations to be raised and thus has a few corresponding rules that need to be followed. Once you decide what you want to do, and how much money you want to make, whether or not to do it as a non-profit is merely a technical decision. So don't decide now "I want to work at a non-profit" or "I don't want to work at a non-profit". Leave the decison for later for when you have more information. And if it turns out that your thought is correct, and you won't be working for a non-profit, that's fine. Or you might be surprised and be working at a non-profit (perhaps because you started one!) And that's fine too. For now, leave your options open. The question isn't very important right now. Now, on to your real question, "I don't know what I want to do, that's why I'm looking for suggestions." Look at the world and see what you desire to change. What don't you like out in the world? What makes you mad? I mean, MAD. Or, what makes you SAD? Or, what do you wish there was more of? What do you find EXCITING? What is your goal for income? Then use your talents of selling well, to kick ass at HR and PR, to both A) effect a change, and B) make the money you want to make. "I don't know what I want to do, that's why I'm looking for suggestions." I suspect your desire muscle is weak. You need to exercise it. A common occurrence is that children growing up are told what to do by their parents... then in school, they are told what to learn... then they get a job, and are told what to work on. Having never exercised their desire much (aside from a lower energy pursuits such as being entertained), they don't know how to desire. So they say, "I don't know what I want to do, tell me, give me suggestions". You may find yourself feeling awkward as you take your first stumbling steps to exercise your desire. You have great skills, you're an adult, your ego is pretty happy... and then, you start on a new path, you're not very good at first, and your ego isn't too happy. You may need to tell your ego, "deal with it". The way to develop your desire is to follow it. In the beginning your desire may be weak, hard to hear, fuzzy. You think, "gee, I guess I'm kind of upset a bit maybe by this situation I heard about, but I'm not sure". The trick is then to follow up on that desire, even though you aren't sure. Go see for yourself. Take action. A small action. Help one person. Not indirectly, by helping some cause or by giving money to a non-profit, but by helping that one person yourself. Directly. (Your ego may not be happy. "I have great skills. I can kiss ass. And I'm piddling about helping just one person when I could be rolling out a big PR campaign?" Tell your ego that you are practicing and you are going to kick ass soon). As you follow your desire and take action, your desire will become stronger. You'll say, "Wait a minute! I really care about this!" I recommend you listen to these talks: http://ted.streamguys.net/ted_carter_m_2006.mp3 http://ted.streamguys.net/ted_sinclair_c_2006.mp3 http://ted.streamguys.net/ted_noujaim_j_2006.mp3 http://ted.streamguys.net/ted_brilliant_l_2006.mp3 http://ted.streamguys.net/ted_smith_a_2006.mp3 http://ted.streamguys.net/ted_ensler_e_2004.mp3 I do not say you need to listen to each one all the way through. I do recommend you listen to each one for a minute. If after a minute, if it doesn't catch your attention, if it doesn't sound interesting, skip it. Go to the next one. Pay attention to your emotion. Get out of your head for a moment. As you listen, notice if you feel something in your gut. Not just intellectual, "why yes that is problem", but when do you feel an emotional reaction. It may not be a strong reaction, and that's OK. If you want more help, report back on if, and where, you got a reaction. |
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11-19-2006, 03:27 PM
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| A lot of stuff makes me mad but it's stuff I don't think I'd care to be involved in. Stuff like unions who don't like to work but want more money for doing less and less, and construction crews who do as little as possible for as long as possible and cops who do detail work but just stand around and don't even do the ridiculously simple job they have. I love to help people make more money in their businesses with my knowledge of marketing and operations and pr and sales but I think consultants aren't looked at too highly and I don't want to be seen as a pain in the ass, also their job is more to sell than to efficiently assist the business at hand, as that's how they make their money, selling their service and not refining it. I'd rather sell something for a company that I know is doing their best to provide the service I'm selling for them, if you catch my drift. I should make a "grinds my gears" list like peter griffin. Any suggestions after further discussion? p.s.: Vagina monologues lady? Worth a laugh thanks for brightening up my day with that one haha. |
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11-19-2006, 04:03 PM
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| I don't have the book, so I don't have the code. Some people in the web say that this is a similar test. :: Authentic Happiness :: Using the new Positive Psychology "VIA Signature Strengths Here are your scores on the VIA Signature Strengths Survey. For how to interpret and use your scores, see the book Authentic Happiness. The ranking of the strengths reflects your overall ratings of yourself on the 24 strengths in the survey, how much of each strength you possess. Your top five, especially those marked as Signature Strengths, are the ones to pay attention to and find ways to use more often. Your Top Strength Bravery and valor You are a courageous person who does not shrink from threat, challenge, difficulty, or pain. You speak up for what is right even if there is opposition. You act on your convictions. Your Second Strength Creativity, ingenuity, and originality Thinking of new ways to do things is a crucial part of who you are. You are never content with doing something the conventional way if a better way is possible. Your Third Strength Hope, optimism, and future-mindedness You expect the best in the future, and you work to achieve it. You believe that the future is something that you can control. Your Fourth Strength Humor and playfulness You like to laugh and tease. Bringing smiles to other people is important to you. You try to see the light side of all situations. Your Fifth Strength Perspective (wisdom) Although you may not think of yourself as wise, your friends hold this view of you. They value your perspective on matters and turn to you for advice. You have a way of looking at the world that makes sense to others and to yourself" Kind of a "entertainer"/artist soul. It seems I'm on the good track.Last edited by songwriter : 11-19-2006 at 04:18 PM. |
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11-19-2006, 04:51 PM
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I'm not saying it "shouldn't" make you mad, instead I'm saying that the fact that you get mad about is a clue. Someone else might not care that there are lazy people in the world who work as little as possible. Someone else might say, "the sky is blue, death happens, ice is cold, some people are lazy". They'd just accept it. But you care. This is a clue. Quote:
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Or are you saying you don't think consulting is a high-status profession? Perhaps you don't want to go to a party and say, "hi, I'm a consultant"? Perhaps you'd like to be able to say something else? Quote:
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11-19-2006, 05:22 PM
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2.) I like my work to be cost effective at the least. I want to add a legitimate benefit to the lives of others, not just go through the motions and get some useless job done. The who would be small to medium sized business owners. I feel like this is where the most passion and heart goes into work. Big business doesn't do much for me I don't think. My dad is a role model of mine, he's a self employed body shop owner, and he is so detail oriented when he fixes a car all of his clients are proud to go to him. 3.) I think a lot of people would shy away if they heard 'consultant,' because they're not usually seen as extremely effective, in my opinion anyways. I don't know much about the field, that's just the 'vibe' I've gotten. 4.) That's what I'm trying to tie myself to. I'd make an excellent manufacturer's rep because I'd be able to help retailers move more stock of something, in turn raising their profit and mine. I don't know what I'd want to sell or who would be happy to see me walk through the door. I want to be able to make people happy to see me, I want to be looked up to as someone who helps other people before helping himself or while synergistically helping himself. I've had a difficult time so far tying a position like this down. This board will definitely help me choose or derive a starting point. It's helped so much already. |
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11-19-2006, 06:05 PM
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| Hi Dave... well... if you are a consultant of companies that you have a bad opinion of them... it would drive you mad I think. I mean... you may think "I'm helping that guy to keep playing his game...". You'll understand me, I think. Ok, then there is the option to be a consultant only of companies that you feel are worthwhile... this is hard to find, I think. Well, I don't know about how the things are where you live, but you may always find one of this business. But you need more than one, I know...  Well, that's not easy... purpose in life is never easy... Surely the problem for you will be to find these people... maybe little comerciants... as you Father, or so. Well... my results on that test were kind of expected by me, except for Courage (#1). Especially if it's ranked in me above Creativity... |
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11-19-2006, 06:48 PM
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You want to be in an environment where you can excel. You don't want to be held back by other people, especially by lazy or self centered people. You don't want to be stuck getting rewarded by an average of everyone's contribution, especially if the average isn't that good. (I.e., suppose you got a job that paid everyone who had that position exactly $60K a year. Now, to make payroll, the productive employees have to create value more than $60K a year to pay for the salary of the slackers who were creating value of less than $60K a year. You'd hate that). Not only do you not want to be stuck getting rewarded by an average, you don't want your contribution being held back to the average of what most people are willing to do either. (Suppose you worked on a road crew... and no matter how much of a contribution you wanted to make, you couldn't go any faster than how fast everyone else on the crew was willing to go. You'd hate that too). You want to find a company that sells an excellent service or product. A company that helps customers, has integrity, and provides a good value for the money. For this company you'd like to be a salesperson. While for other people the thought of making cold calls and going from door to door or from business to business meeting potential customers would be less appealing than the thought of going to the dentist every day, you would enjoy this work because of your particular talents of woo, connectedness, communication, and focus. Your talent of intellection will help you in the long run because you will be able to think through the sales approach and come up with improvements. You are looking for a win-win-win situation. A win for customers because they will be getting a good product that they otherwise wouldn't have known about. A win for the business because it will be making more sales. And a win for you because you will be making money and providing a service to many people. |