For many of us, this time of the year is associated with new beginnings. The New Year starts with ‘The New You’, right? Be it a new year, month, or week, these symbolic periods provide us an opportunity to look back and set the direction forward. However, true transformation begins with self-awareness. That’s where tools like the HIGH5 strengths test come in handy. By identifying your unique strengths, you can set resolutions that align with your natural talents, making your journey towards ‘The New You’ more authentic and sustainable.
We call these opportunities for life improvement and finding purpose as resolutions and there are millions of books written on how to achieve them.
But did you know that research shows that over 90% of people will not follow through on their intentions? Is that because they are all lazy? Not at all – the answer is the means of achieving those goals. How do we end up with goal setting in the first place? First, we identify where we stand at the moment or how we have been going lately – be it performance review or body weight.
Then our ‘monkey-brains’ immediately compare the current state with the imaginary final outcome. Each of these points in time might be good in itself. But we can’t help but notice and focus on the gap between the two, right? So we think – what do we have to fix to bridge this gap?
From the top of your head, they say, that to lose weight one needs to do sports. So to be healthier I have to go to the gym at least 3 times a week. That’s goal #1.
Most of the time this intuitive goal-setting process takes less than a second. In fact, these goals seem to energize at the beginning. Sure, they give a certain sense of clarity, focus, and control over the situation.
However, after 2 weeks the excitement disappears. Most of the time it’s because the means of achieving the goal are based on what we ‘have to do’ instead of what we ‘want to do’.
While there are numerous ways of reaching the end result, we tend to choose the paths based on what others say is the best way.
No wonder – it’s a very efficient way of thinking and goal setting. If only it was not flawed. It completely disregards differences in strengths among people. In simple terms, what works for me – won’t work for you.
So what happens when you still go ahead with applying that ‘universal wisdom’ in your life? Not only it is difficult to maintain the motivation and positive thinking for doing what you are not interested in, but you also don’t see the desired results. Can you guess what happens next? The resolution is left abandoned.
The same goes for the weight loss example. If you have never been good at sports and you don’t really enjoy doing it, you can probably do more harm than good by suddenly starting to go to the gym every day.
Instead, perhaps, you love cooking. Why not invest spare time in getting those cooking skills to the next level? So fast food will never seem like an option. The result is the same – a much healthier lifestyle and weight loss, while you do what you love.
To find much deeper engagement with your goals and to actually follow through with your resolutions, here are 4 questions for enhancing goal setting with your strengths:
What Is Your End Objective?
It is important to understand that going to the gym is not the end goal. It’s just the means of achieving the state when you live a healthier lifestyle. This goal has many more ways of achieving it than just going to the gym.
What Are Your Strengths?
Identifying your strengths isn’t always straightforward. While you can think about activities that make your heart beat faster or topics you can’t stop talking about, sometimes our strengths aren’t immediately apparent to us. This is where the HIGH5 strengths test becomes invaluable. It’s a scientifically designed assessment that uncovers your top five strengths, providing insights that might surprise you. By taking the HIGH5 test, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what truly energizes you, helping you connect with the world on a much deeper level and enter into a state of flow more easily.
Pro Tip From HIGH5
Leverage your newly discovered strengths in daily activities. If the HIGH5 test reveals you have a strength in ‘Problem Solving’, look for opportunities to apply this skill in various aspects of your life, from work projects to personal challenges.
How Can I Do More Of It During The Next Period?
Once you’ve identified your strengths areas – ideally through a strengths finding test like the HIGH5 strengths test – it’s time to brainstorm ways to leverage these strengths in the upcoming month, quarter, or year. The HIGH5 test doesn’t just list your strengths; it provides detailed insights on how to apply them effectively. Use these insights to generate ideas on incorporating your strengths into various aspects of your life. Don’t limit yourself at this stage; aim for a large number of ideas, even if they seem irrelevant to your end goals. The HIGH5 approach encourages creative thinking about strength application, which can lead to unexpected and rewarding paths towards your objectives.
Pro Tip From HIGH5
Create a ‘Strength Spotlight’ week. Each week, focus on one of your top five strengths identified by the HIGH5 test. Consciously look for opportunities to apply this strength in different contexts, and journal about the impact it has on your performance and satisfaction.
What Will Support My Strengths-Based Goal Setting?
Since we’re often conditioned to focus on fixing weaknesses, fully embracing a strengths-based approach might feel unconventional at first, even when seeing positive results. This is where the HIGH5 strengths test becomes a powerful ally. Not only does it identify your strengths, but it also provides ongoing support through personalized reports and resources.
Additionally, consider building a support network that reinforces your strengths journey. Share your HIGH5 results with friends, family, or colleagues, and encourage them to take the test too. This collective understanding of strengths can foster a supportive environment where everyone appreciates and leverages each other’s unique talents, making your strengths-based goal setting more effective and sustainable.
Pro Tip From HIGH5
Organize a ‘Strengths Sharing’ session with your team or family. Have everyone take the HIGH5 test and then discuss how your collective strengths can complement each other. This exercise can improve communication, collaboration, and mutual appreciation within your group.
