Each and every one of us have strengths. Too often, we don’t use them to our benefit though.That’s where this book really comes in handy. In the same vein, I believe we all have dreams that need to be followed and I think those dreams usually coincide with our strengths. So when I read through this book and took the test, what did I learn?
First of all, I have a strength in adaptability, meaning I don’t get overly flustered when things have to change or diverge from the path they were to take. I learned early on that plans don’t stay as solid as we would have them. I expect them to change and in fact I do look forward to the challenge of change. I like to be challenged and multitask through a problem. With a laid back personality like mine, adaptability fits right in. Overreacting is never a solution to solving a problem.
As a designer, I believe my strength of connectedness is essential to the process. I see things in a different way. I have an inmate empathy with others of various cultures that drives me to learn and understand ways of thought different than my own. I understand my weaknesses and know that I don’t have all the answers. Working alone is never as satisfying as working with others. It also helps in figuring out how others will use whatever it is that I’m designing. Design itself is all about allowing others to connect to life easier.
My greatest strength is probably my ability for ideas. I am an idea man plain and simple. My best friend recently told me that he loves talking to me because every time he does I have some new idea. Connecting the dots or designing something radically different than previously thought of is what comes naturally to me. Why does it come so naturally though?
That would be due to my ability to learn. As a learner I thrive off new information. I enjoy teaching others this information and take it upon myself to learn new ideas, concepts, languages, software… whatever is needed. I’m an avid reader and it’s the reason why I have Designing for the Digital Age. I’m not content with maintaing a personal status quo; with only being “good enough”. There are always ways to improve myself and the world around me. That can only be accomplished through learning,
None of my strengths stand alone, least of that of being strategic. While this is an innate ability and cannot be taught, it does require one to see things in a different way. Just as I have always loved to travel and have felt connected, have had a thirst for knowledge and ability to generate ideas and solve puzzles, I have been able to break things down to their simplest parts and see the way through. Games that require strategy I thrive at. Questions drive me and I’m never at a loss for them. It’s never to prove myself right though or out of vain glory, but an honest questioning to discover the truth. Where the truth lies, there is your best method. I had always had a sense of knowing what will happen if certain choices are made. Connecting myself to others to see the outcome. It’s not a perfect gift, but there is much potential there. I see consequences and believe in them. People…business tends to get in trouble when unable to “see beyond your nose.”
These are my strengths and passions ever since I was little. Something tells me that my best success will be found in pursuing those strengths, which I have sought to do as a designer, conceptual artist, and experience planner. If you really want to find out yours, give this book a read. It could help focus your efforts more effectively. It has my recommendation.
