I recently connected with a colleague on LinkedIn that I had not heard from in years. He had seen one of my LinkedIn updates and commented that most people treat their strengths like fitness clothes. He said "similar to how fitness clothes don't make you fit, discovering your strengths does not make you strong." This seems like a ridiculously simple statement but it is surprising how many people don't get it. Think about it for a second….

Similar to how fitness clothes don't make you fit, discovering your strengths does not make you strong.

We all know that buying fitness clothes will not make us fit. But how many people go out each year and buy the most recent fitness attire, purchase a gym membership but then fail to follow through. They might wear the clothes to the gym once or twice or maybe stretch it out for a month or two but when they fail to see instant results they get discouraged and revert back to their old habits. The fitness clothes did not make them fit.

This is very similar to how most of us deal with our strengths…..assuming, of course, that we even know what our strengths are. I hate to say this but, most people don't know what their strengths are. It is usually an uncomfortable moment when you ask someone, "what are your greatest strengths?" This question is usually followed by awkward silence, then a few "ummmms" and "ahhhhhs". Then maybe, the person manages to spit out something that could be considered a strength but they are not really sure if it is. However, this is not the worst part.

The real tragedy is when someone has gone through a process to identify their strength areas, what I like to call their Strength Zone, and then they fail to follow through with them. They have been given their "fitness clothes" and assume that it ends there….but it doesn't. The most important part of the Strength Zone process is to begin to build your strength areas…you must "go to the gym" and "work out" in your Strength Zone. You need to practice in your Strength Zone, gain new skill, knowledge and experience in your Strength Zone.

Then you need to build a disciplined lifestyle around your Strength Zone. You must strive to live in your Strength Zone before it begins to make you strong. Adjust your approach to every role that you have in life so that you are always leveraging your Strength Zone. You will be amazed at how much more productive, effective and efficient you will become and how much potential you have that you didn't realize!!!!!!!!

If you don't believe me try it! Discover your Strength Zone and then change your life to take advantage of your strengths. Watch your potential begin to soar!