Earlier this week a Stole My Stapler reader named Caitlin commented on my Jesus post. That comment sparked an email exchange between us on which resulted in her closing one of her replies with what I have borrowed for the title of this post.

“I like to sound like I’m wise beyond my years, but really I’m just a cranky bitch.”

So fitting for this post. So very, very fitting.

Just before I went on medical leave at the tail end of 2007 I ran across a website called The Personal MBA and became quickly interested in their published reading list. I decided to head over to my local bookstore to see which books on the reading list were available for immediate sale. Being an impatient bitch I didn’t want to bother with ordering anything.

One book had captured my interest by title alone: StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath. I was quite pleased to see it displayed on a shelf for immediate sale.

As I typically do when shopping for books I reviewed three things in the book:

1. The table of contents.
2. The first paragraph of the inside flap.
3. The chances I would find anything in the book I could take action on. Quickly.

I was quite pleased to find that the table of contents and inside flap were interesting. I also felt confident that there was information in this book that would be meaningful enough that I could somehow leverage it for my own personal and professional development. Quickly.

So I purchased the book and did something I never do: I actually READ IT. Usually, I skim more than I read which is why I was also happy to find a book on speed reading on the same shopping trip but we can chat about that another time.

I digress.

I read the book. Quickly. And I couldn’t finish it fast enough knowing that at the end of the book I would find my personal key to access the top secret portion of the StrenthsFinder website available to drop dead sexy and uber intelligent girl geeks people that got off their wallet to buy the book.

The message I received from reading this book came through loud and clear:

STOP TRYING TO FIX YOUR SHORTCOMINGS KATHYHOWE! YOU HAVE STRENGTHS! DEVELOP THEM!

This concept, as simple as it is, rang incredibly true with me. It was like I saw my life flash before my eyes.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL! Terminally shy child tries to play nicely (or play at all) with other children.

JUNIOR HIGH! Math and Science MUST be focused on because YOU, dear KathyHowe, SUCK at it.

HIGH SCHOOL! For your good work burning your Home Economics assignment you get to take Home Economics AGAIN!

Meanwhile, it was not possible for me to allot extra time to things I was interested in and this soured me on the school experience. As a result I have spent my adulthood chasing work that amused me, stimulated me and pushed me to excel at things I actually enjoyed. Reading StrengthsFinder 2.0 reaffirmed that my focus needs to continue to be on developing my passions and strengths.

Since reading the book (and taking the quiz on the website) I have referred many people to the book and have referred back to my quiz results again and again. I have learned some interesting things about myself by reading this book. Things that I think I knew about myself at a subconcious level. The book and the website? They pushed these strengths to the forefront and ever since I have focused on being better at each of them.

Books are always nice to read but if you are looking for something that can help you identify and develop your strengths go get yourself a copy of StrengthsFinder 2.0 right away. As an example, here are some things I learned (or rediscovered) about myself:

1. I am skilled at pinpointing trends.
2. I am able to identify opportunities that others may overlook.
3. I am capable of devising alternative courses of action and choosing the best plan of action.
4. I can handle many assignments at once.
5. I naturally give others my full attention and acknowledge their thoughts and feelings.
6. I engage life with gusto and approach things with creativity.
7. I empower others with my confidence.
8. I easily stir enthusiasm. (NOTE: this must be really true. This week a co-worker compared me to a Kindergarten Teacher for my ability to get people enthusiastically on task).
9. Capable of discovering facts and weighing them carefully for presentation.
10. Willing to express myself freely.

So there it is, 10 (out of a list of probably 100) things I have re-discovered about myself. I approach every day with a reminder that my strengths are exactly that: STRENGTHS. And I make every attempt to leverage them in the workplace and at home.

Go ahead now. Embrace your inner bitch. Or your inner task master. Or your inner confidence builder. Whatever your strength is: develop it.