Put passion into your work, even if it’s “just a job.” You’ll have more fun and may actually begin enjoying your work by using your personal strengths.
If you have a job that’s “just a job,” you probably hate to go to work some days. The work day seems to go so slowly and all you can think of are the things you’d rather be doing once your work day is ended.
To put more fun into your work day start with a list of your personal strengths. You may even begin to enjoy your job and find you’re looking forward to it. Here’s why.
Scientists find that people who use their personal strengths at work are more productive, more creative, and—here’s the big one—happier. On top of all that, people who use their strengths seem to be healthier, too. What’s not to like?
Here’s the strategy: Discover what you’re really good at doing—your personal strengths. Determine how to use your abilities at work. Even a routine job has some room for your personal strength creativity. It’s worth a try.
Make a Strengths List
Assemble a list of your personal strengths. Don’t pay attention to that inner voice which might be saying, “You’re not very good at anything.” Everyone is good at some things. Here are some ways of efinding your strengths.
Activities You Love Include Your Strengths
Start with a list of things you love to do. Include the things you do as a hobby, for fun evenings and weekends, and at your job. Don’t ignore any activity; if you choose to do it regularly because it’s fun, it’s probably a strength.
Now think about what’s going on during that activity. What personal qualities or strengths are you using? For example, someone who loves to read could be using the quality of curiosity or could be experiencing adventure, danger, or romance. These are strengths.
Someone playing sports may be doing it to experience teamwork, cooperation, or competition. These are also strengths.
Keep up this analysis until you have a list of six to ten qualities. For now, call them strengths.
Your friends may know your strengths.
Next consult people who know you very well: your spouse, significant partner, close friends, close co-workers. “What am I particularly excellent at?” Listen carefully for the top two or three activities or qualities they name. If a quality is named, such as helpfulness, ask for an example so you can fully understand what they’ve observed.
If someone names an activity, such as helping customers, ask for an example and listen for a quality such as helpfulness, problem solving, or compassion.
Summarize the results as another list of potential strengths. Do the two lists have any similarities? Most likely you will, but don’t stop yet. There’s one more approach to your list of strengths that’s important.
Get Your List of Strengths from a Professional
You don’t need to hire an expensive counselor to get the benefits of scientists’ view of your strengths. There are two science-based self-assessments you can take over the Internet. One is free, the other costs a few dollars. Both will yield valuable information about you; information you can use to have more fun and enjoyment in your job.
VIA Signature Strengths
This University of Pennsylvania website includes a free self-assessment of your strengths. Look for a link in the middle column titled VIA Survey of Character Strengths. Click the link and follow instructions. You’ll soon have a list of your top five or six personal strengths which they call signature strengths.
This Centre for Applied Positive Psychology site in the UK offers a different, but very valuable version of your personal strengths. It costs a few dollars to take this self-assessment, but it’s comprehensive and well worth it.
Passion for Work
Combining all you’ve learned about your personal strengths, you should now have a list that has some consistent items from each of the three or four sources you’ve used. Now use your creativity to figure out how you can use these qualities—your strengths—more often each day, both at your job and at home. You’ll find greater enjoyment, satisfaction, and happiness when using your strengths. Work is more enjoyable when you like it.
