When I first began my career at Kocina Marketing Companies four years ago, I had the opportunity to participate in our company book club to discuss Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton and take the on-line assessment.  My top five strengths are Focus, Achiever, Responsibility, Maximizer and Relator.  At the time, I was an Administrative Assistant for our company.  When I was offered a position in Human Resources, my first thought was “Will this opportunity be a match for my strengths?”  Well, it was and I absolutely LOVE what I do!  Just ask anyone that I work with or my family! 

In order to develop a career that really suits you, it’s important to have a basic knowledge of your key strengths.  Unlike skills or knowledge you can acquire through education, your strengths are more basic talents.  For the most part you were born with them.  You can certainly continue to develop new talents, but in the area of your strengths you have an almost unfair advantage. Your strengths are things that come naturally and easily to you.  Your brain is just wired to be good at them.  You’ll be happiest working in a career that allows you to take advantage of your strengths on a daily basis.  Working from your strengths will help you (1) be far more productive, (2) get better results, (3) contribute more value, (4) attract higher compensation, (5) enjoy your work, and (6) experience greater fulfillment. No matter where you are at in your career right now please, oh please figure out your strengths! Look for what you’re passionate about and DO THAT. Think about what excites you; why you’re on this earth; where you can achieve your greatest successes; what will make you grin when you think, “…and I get PAID for doing this?”