Personal Strength Assessment

We all do it. That urge to measure ourselves against our peers, to gauge our success against theirs. But what does it really achieve? The moment you start comparing, you lose sight of your own path and your own strengths. You get trapped in a cycle of justification and envy. You end up wasting precious time and mental energy on things you can't control. Last week, I saw someone sleeping peacefully under a tree, despite the scorching heat. I envied their peace of mind, their ability to find contentment in simplicity. In that moment, I realized that the measures of success we often focus on – wealth, status, material possessions – don't always correlate with happiness or fulfillment. So, what's the alternative? Focus on your own journey. • Learn from your challenges. • Celebrate your unique strengths. • Strive to be the best version of yourself. Let others be a source of inspiration, not comparison. Remember, we're all running our own race. Stop looking sideways. Start focusing on the road ahead and make the most of the journey.

My best salesperson was struggling because she was selling so much and could not keep up with the paperwork. She sucks at the latter, but paperwork made sure there was follow-through for customers and payments are collected. Conventional wisdom suggests weaknesses offer growth opportunities. But instead of coaching her to eliminate the weakness, I hired an administrator to do the admin stuff. Why? Don’t ask a monkey to swim when they are at their best, swinging in the trees. For her, admin work is demotivating. She dislikes it, and it distracts her from perfecting what she likes best- sell! When we leverage our strengths, it feels natural. Marcus Buckingham advises employees to identify and cultivate their natural skills and advantages. “If you want to win, if you want to excel, if you want to stand out, you’re going to have to take the few unique things about you that are beautiful and powerful, and take them seriously, and turn them into contributions.” Here are some ways to operationalise Buckingham's advice. 1. Use self-reflection and feedback to identify your strengths. Then name them, and find ways to leverage these optimally for others and for yourself. 2. Learn from people who are great at leveraging their strengths. 3. Find ways of applying and adapting your strengths to new situations and in different circumstances. 4. Manage your weaknesses by eliminating them, and if not possible, minimising their impact so they are not derailers. # 4 resonates with me. A LinkedIn friend, Andy, messaged me about an error on my LinkedIn profile. It was a highly visible mistake, but I missed it! I told Andy my carelessness was what got me into trouble early in my career. In my first job, many were vying to join the Planning Division. I got it. But I did not realise my weakness would show up big time as the work involved writing policy papers that are discussed at the Board level. Every letter, word and punctuation mark must be in order. Not getting every fact on point is a career breaker. I can’t ignore my weakness. I must manage it. I tried many ways to overcome it, but nothing worked. My manager coached, but I was beyond help. I am surprised I did not have a breakdown! Finally, I realise I could not change myself. So I changed jobs. Instantly, because of different job requirements, my weakness was not a derailer, just an irritant. I leverage my strengths, gain confidence, and eventually, recognition. Back to the salesperson who dislikes admin work. She still dislikes it. She also got promoted and is leading a team, helping them sell, sell, sell. And she is still getting bonuses for doing something she loves - selling. And how is the admin staff doing? Very well! Every salesperson appreciates that he helps them shine. And he gets a share of the team's bonus. When people leverage their strengths, they look forward to work instead of worrying about mistakes they will make. Agree?

The hardest person to manage is ourselves. In 2005, Peter Drucker wrote an Harvard Business Review article that feels like it was written for today’s world. He emphasized something powerful: the ability to manage ourselves. In a time when career paths are no longer linear and change is constant, his insights are more relevant than ever. Drucker challenged us to ask three big questions about ourselves: - What are my strengths? - How do I perform best? - What are my values? These questions aren’t just for the Napoléons and Mozarts of the world—they’re for anyone navigating the complexities of the workplace. Here’s how to reflect on these ideas and manage yourself more effectively: 1. Discover Your Strengths Most people think they know what they’re good at—but many are wrong. Drucker proposed a simple solution: feedback analysis. Write down your expectations every time you make a key decision. A year later (or maybe a few months later), compare the actual results with what you expected. Patterns will emerge, showing you where you truly shine—and where you don’t. Tip: Focus on your strengths. Instead of trying to fix every weakness, double down on what you naturally excel at to achieve excellence. 2. Understand How You Perform People work and learn differently. Are you a reader or a listener? Do you learn by doing, writing, or talking? For example, Eisenhower excelled as a Supreme Commander because he prepared with written questions but struggled as President because he had to answer spontaneously in press conferences. Tip: Align your work style with what suits you best. If you’re a listener, seek discussions; if you’re a writer, carve out time to process through writing. 3. Live by Your Values Values are your internal compass. They define not just what you do but how you want to show up. Drucker shared the story of a diplomat who resigned rather than compromise his values. Knowing your values ensures your work aligns with who you are at the core. Tip: Periodically ask yourself: Does my work align with my values? If not, it may be time to pivot. As work evolves, so must we. By understanding our strengths, adapting how we perform, and living by our values, we can chart fulfilling, impactful careers. For me, this is a reminder to pause and reflect—not just on WHAT I’m doing but HOW and WHY I’m doing it. The hardest person to manage truly is ourselves, but when we embrace that challenge, we create opportunities to grow, contribute, and thrive in ways that feel deeply aligned with who we are. #reflection #learning #clarity #growth #improvement #leadership #humanBehavior #curiosity #values https://lnkd.in/enjcH4VJ

Still unsure what makes you stand out in your career? You're not alone. But you're also not stuck. Here's a proven way to uncover your career superpowers—no personality test needed. I've helped 100+ professionals discover their career strengths. And this process? It works every time. Here’s how to find yours: 1. Track your energy levels • Notice when you feel most alive at work • Which tasks make time fly by • What you'd happily do even without pay 2. Collect feedback patterns • Save compliments from peers, managers, or clients • Observe what people frequently ask your help with • Reflect on what mentors highlight in you 3. Analyze your wins • List your top 5 accomplishments • Identify the skills you used in each • Look for patterns in how you approached problems 4. Study your free time • What do you enjoy teaching others? • What topics do you research for fun? • Where do people naturally seek your guidance? 5. Document "flow state" moments • Tasks that feel effortless • Projects where creativity flows • Problems you can spot and solve instantly 🔁 Here's what to do next: ✔ Track patterns for the next 30 days ✔ Maintain a daily “wins” journal ✔ Ask 3–5 trusted colleagues for feedback ✔ Compare your findings to job descriptions ✔ Review your past performance reviews This clarity becomes your career compass. Save this post if you’re planning your next move. And tell me what’s one strength people always see in you? P.S. Want to turn these insights into a real job-winning plan? Join my free webinar “Get Your Dream Job with My Career Spotlight Framework.” 📌 Register Here - https://lnkd.in/gq7ZrvDj #CareerGrowth #StrengthsFinder #JobSearchTips #CareerCoaching #PersonalBranding

"Focus On Improving Yourself, Not Proving Yourself" I've noticed something powerful in my journey as a financial associate director : The moment you shift from proving your worth to others... to improving yourself for your own growth... everything changes. Many of us spend countless hours: 📊 Showcasing achievements 📊 Seeking validation 📊 Comparing ourselves to peers 📊 Chasing external recognition 📊 Worrying about others' opinions But what if we redirected that energy? When I stopped trying to prove my capabilities and started focusing on genuine self-improvement, my perspective transformed completely. → Client relationships deepened → My expertise naturally expanded → Confidence came from competence, not comparison → Progress became sustainable, not performative This shift wasn't easy. My inner critic constantly whispered "show them what you can do" rather than "become better than you were yesterday." The financial industry often encourages competition and comparison. We're measured by numbers, rankings, and achievements. Yet the most fulfilled professionals I know measure themselves against their own growth curve, not others'. True progress happens when you: ✨ Embrace learning from failures ✨ Seek feedback for improvement, not validation ✨ Set personal standards beyond industry benchmarks ✨ Celebrate growth, not just outcomes I'm curious - where in your professional life are you spending energy proving yourself when you could be improving instead? For me, this mindset shift has been transformative. When your focus shifts from external validation to internal growth, success follows naturally. Remember: The most impressive people aren't those constantly trying to impress others. They're the ones consistently working to elevate themselves. Your success story begins when you prioritize personal growth over external perception. Is there one area where you could make this shift today?

When is Walking Not Enough? Walking gets a lot of airtime when it comes to health, as it should. We have myriad trackers for distance and daily steps, and ‘closing your rings’ has become a new daily goal. But is it enough? Walking is one of the best things you can do for your health. It is accessible, pretty joint-friendly, and “counts” even when broken into small chunks. In fact, large studies using activity trackers suggest that adding just 5 minutes per day of brisk movement could meaningfully reduce premature deaths, especially among the least active (https://lnkd.in/gdd9GrRA). Here’s the catch: as we move through the ageing trajectory, walking is not always the limiting factor for staying independent. Often, the bottleneck becomes muscle strength and muscle power. Power is simply strength, expressed quickly. It’s what helps you stand up from a chair, climb stairs, step up onto a curb, and catch yourself if you trip. A striking example comes from the InCHIANTI study. Older adults with very low leg power were much more likely to lose mobility over time. For men, very low leg power meant being nearly 9 times more likely to develop new mobility disability; for women, it was about 3 times more likely (https://lnkd.in/gfJPkVpZ). Strength and power are not just about function. Low muscle strength is also a major, independent health risk. In a nationally representative US sample, people with low strength had about 2 to 3 times higher likelihood of dying during follow-up, even when accounting for muscle mass, physical activity, and health conditions. (https://lnkd.in/gu4CxzMT). And power may tell us even more. In a large prospective study, people in the lowest group for leg muscle power were about 6 times more likely to die over follow-up compared with those in the highest group. Strength differences were far smaller in comparison (https://lnkd.in/g52wTaf7). Even genetic data points in the same direction. A higher predisposition toward strength was linked with a lower risk of cardiovascular death in men, regardless of their reported leisure-time physical activity (https://lnkd.in/gjQNa7UB). Walking is great exercise, and it has many benefits, even in small doses. It just may not be enough on its own for long-term mobility and resilience. Remember, the guidelines include strengthening activity! Practical Takeaways · Prioritize maintaining and improving muscle strength and power throughout life, especially as you age, to support long-term mobility and health. · Engage in regular resistance training and activities that promote both strength and power, as these are critical for independent physical functioning. · Be aware that low muscle strength is a significant, independent risk factor for premature mortality. · Clinicians: Consider assessments that measure both muscle strength and power, as power may offer additional predictive insights into mortality risk.

Stronger muscles. Longer life. 💪🏼🏋️ A new study of 5,400+ women aged 63–99 followed for ~8 years found that greater muscle strength was associated with a 30–35% lower risk of death. Importantly, this benefit remained independent of aerobic fitness and overall physical activity levels. Researchers assessed strength using: • Grip strength (hand dynamometer) • 5-times sit-to-stand test (lower body strength) They also adjusted for key factors including: • accelerometer-measured physical activity • walking speed and functional fitness • sedentary time • age and chronic disease risk Even after these adjustments, muscle strength remained one of the strongest predictors of survival. In other words: It wasn’t just how much these women moved… it was how strong they were. Muscle is more than movement — it functions as a metabolic and endocrine organ supporting metabolic health, resilience to illness, mobility, and independence with aging. Takeaway: Women should be lifting weights at every age. Build strength. Protect muscle. Extend healthspan. ❓For all the women- Do you lift weights now? How often? How old are you and what age did you start? 💪🏼 Tag someone who should start strength training. Reference: LaMonte MJ, Hyde ET, Nguyen S, et al. Muscular Strength and Mortality in Women Aged 63–99 Years. JAMA Network Open. 2025;8(2):e2459367. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.59367

Why Strength is the New Vital Sign for Women Over 63 📉💪 Clinicians, it’s time to move beyond the treadmill and start looking at muscle power. A groundbreaking new study published in JAMA Network Open reveals a powerful truth: For women aged 63 to 99, muscular strength is a massive predictor of all-cause mortality. The most stunning finding? Strength remained a significant predictor of longevity even when patients did not meet standard aerobic activity guidelines. In other words: Even if your patient isn't getting their 150 minutes of cardio, their physical strength can still be a literal lifesaver. The "In-Office" Solution: We don't need expensive labs or complex equipment to assess this. The study highlights two simple, validated tests you can perform right in the exam room: 1️⃣ Dominant Hand Grip Strength (kg): A quick squeeze of a dynamometer provides a window into systemic health. 2️⃣ 5-Repetition Chair Stand (seconds): Timing how long it takes to complete 5 unassisted stands is a critical measure of lower-body functional power. The Bottom Line: Aerobic health is important, but for our aging female population, strength is non-negotiable. We need to prioritize strength assessment and resistance training recommendations in every visit. It isn't just about "staying active"—it’s about survival. Read the full study here: https://lnkd.in/ekRhFDFS #Healthcare #GeriaticCare #WomensHealth #Longevity #MuscleStrength #PreventativeMedicine #PrimaryCare

Stop comparing your progress to others. After studying 1,000+ high achievers, I discovered why feeling "behind" is actually a sign you're on the right track. Everyone feels behind sometimes - even those getting ahead. The truth? Your internal dialogue kills more dreams than failure ever will. I spent 5 years studying successful entrepreneurs who overcame comparison paralysis. Here's what they did differently: They understood a crucial truth: Comparison is confirmation bias in action. When you compare, you: • Notice others' wins, not their struggles • Amplify your flaws, not your progress • Create imaginary deadlines for success But here's what research reveals about comparison: Neural imaging shows comparison triggers the same brain regions as physical pain. So those feelings of inadequacy? They're literally hurting you. The solution isn't "just stop comparing." It's rewiring your comparison triggers: 1. Track Your Comparison Moments • Note exact situations • Record your emotional state • Identify environmental factors 2. Create a "Wins" Database • Document daily progress • Screenshot positive feedback • Update weekly accomplishments 3. Set Progress Metrics That Matter • Revenue growth rate vs size • Skill mastery vs credentials • Impact depth vs reach The most successful people I studied had this in common: They transformed comparison into data collection. Instead of "They're so far ahead," ask: • What systems did they build? • Which mistakes did they avoid? • How can I adapt their strategy? Watch how quickly your focus shifts from others to your own growth. Because success isn't about being better than someone else. It's about being better than your previous self. - If you found this valuable: • Repost for your network ♻️ • Follow me for more deep dives • Join 25,500+ subscribers for more actionable tips to build your brand and protect your reputation: https://lnkd.in/edPWpFRR #PersonalGrowth #Success #Mindset

As we age, loss of muscle strength and power can significantly impact physical performance, independence, and increase the risk of falls. This decline is often worsened by acute or chronic illnesses—making effective, accessible interventions more critical than ever. Despite decades of strong evidence, strength training remains underutilised among older adults. Yet training with heavy to very heavy loads (up to 90% of 1RM), also known as maximal strength training (MST), has been shown to deliver substantial improvements in strength, power, and fall prevention—far exceeding traditional low-to-moderate intensity guidelines. This recent review underscores how MST not only enhances neuromuscular function but does so safely and efficiently in both healthy and clinical populations of older adults. The equipment that Innerva innovate can certainly help older adults access these benefits through power-assisted equipment that enables safe, tailored strength training, independence, and quality of life as they age. Source: Tøien, T., Berg, O., Modena, R., Brobakken, M. and Wang, E. (2025), Heavy Strength Training in Older Adults: Implications for Health, Disease and Physical Performance. Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, 16: e13804. https://lnkd.in/erqhbJ7Q