We all have weaknesses.  How do I know something is a weakness for me?

• I feel exhausted just thinking about doing the particular thing (for me one weakness is details, planning etc.)
• I avoid the particular task.  I do a million other things before getting to it.  (some things we avoid because they are just plain hard like having hard conversations not necessarily because we are weak at it)
• I feel just plain weak at it.  Obvious but so true
• I dread the task
• I wake up and often go to bed dreading the task
• Often robs time with my family because I am doing it

I try to live my life focusing on working from my strengths, putting most of my time and energy into my strengths.  The book,  Strengths Finders 2.0  shares that you will get more return/benefit from working from your strengths instead of spending all your time on your weaknesses.  This book is worth every penny.  You first take the 30 minute quiz then read the chapters that are about your 5 top strengths.  And it is also fun to read about the strengths of your spouse, family, friends and coworkers (if they take the quiz too).

Finding a job that allows you to use your strengths is so life giving.  Then hopefully you can seek help or hire out others to do the things the things that suck you dry whether that be yardwork, organizing your closet, doing your taxes etc.

An easy way to figure out what you strengths are- ask these questions:

What makes me feel strong when I do it? (I know obvious but often overlooked)

“What is it that I’ve been good at since an early age?”

“What do others look at me doing that would be hard for them, but seems effortless to me?”

“What is it that I consistently find myself sharing about or helping others with?”

Questions in ” ”  – I got from Can I have and Do it all, Please?….Yes!.  A great book.

A mentor/coach of mine encouraged me to write out a list of what depletes me.

And then to write out a list of what makes me feel strong.  This has helped me so much in deciding what to say no to and what to pour my time into.

There are many things I can do well but do all those things make me come alive and excite me?  It is those things that I love to pour into.  For me that is card writing, making gifts, investing in the lives of others, teaching others to enjoy Sabbath/solitude and silence, journaling, prayer, reading and encouraging others.

God has given us all unique gifts and there is no need to envy the gifts of others.  People often say to me, “I ought to write more cards like you do.”  And I tell them no they shouldn’t only if they love it.  If something feels like an “ought” or “should”- likely not a life-giving strength.

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts.  Use them well to serve one another.”- A Bible verse found in 1 Peter 4:10