“Learn your top 5 mental strengths/talents and see what greatness is upon you.”

Today’s message is about how anyone is capable of learning how great they are. Go out and purchase the book, “Now, Discover Your Strengths,” by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton, and learn your top 5 mental strengths/talents and what kind of greatness is upon you. You are capable of more than you think possible. You just have to learn what your strengths mean you are capable of.

Thanks to the Gallup Organization, over two million successful people in fields from sales to technology were asked what they were doing to succeed. This information, and a 30-year long systematic study of excellence was conducted by Gallup.
As the data was extracted, researchers began to see a pattern of thirty-four mental strengths emerging.

“These thirty-four are the most prevalent themes of human talent…Talent is any recurring pattern of thought, feeling, or behavior that can be productively applied. Thus, if you are instinctively inquisitive, that is a talent. If you are competitive, that is a talent. If you are charming, that is a talent. If you are persistent, that is a talent. If you are responsible, that is a talent. Any recurring pattern of thought, feeling or behavior is a talent if this pattern can be productively applied.” We are all talented in some form or fashion. Period.

“If you are instinctively inquisitive, that is a talent.”

Why is this information regarding talents/greatness important? It is important because, “your talents, your strongest synaptic connections, are the most important raw material for strength building. Identify your most powerful talents, hone them with skills and knowledge, and you will be well on your way to living the strong life.”

I have personally used this information to solidify that I am in the right career field. When I look at my five top talents, I am further convinced that I have what it takes to be a phenomenal trainer. I believe that by knowing my strengths I can and should, “play towards them.” Perhaps, you might want to compare your strengths with your career and see if it is a good fit for you. Maybe, you can use the information in other ways. However you use it, just know that each of us is blessed with five mental strengths/talents, and greatness is upon US!

“Just know that each of us is blessed with five mental strengths/talents, and greatness is upon US!”

Below are my top five mental strengths with a brief description of each. In the book you will find all 34 themes and their definitions. I chose to read all of the themes because I found them to be interesting. I may even be able to use the information about the other strengths for training. However, I couldn’t agree more with the ones that were used to describe me. Now, it is my job to use these strengths in ways that will positively benefit my clients and support my career goals.

• ACTIVATOR– “Deep down you know that only action is real. Only action makes things happen. Only action leads to performance” (84). At every training session, I ensure that my client is performing to the best of their ability. I need to see action in order to believe that they are motivated to do the hard work.
• WOO (means “win others over”) – “Not only are you rarely at a loss for words, but you actually enjoy initiating with strangers because you derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection” (116). I use this talent every day as a trainer. I have a connection with every one of my clients and this connection allows me to understand them better.
• LEARNER – “You are energized by the steady and deliberate journey from ignorance to competence” (107). I am a constant learner. Every day I feel like I learn something new from my clients or from other people around me. This is especially important in the fitness field because there is always new information coming out.
• FOCUS – “You keep everyone on point” (99). With every training session, I have to make sure that my clients stay focused. If they lose focus, then they lose their will to exercise.
• POSITIVITY – “You are generous with praise, quick to smile, and always on the lookout for the positive in the situation” (109). It is essential that I keep a positive attitude while I’m working with my clients. If I am not positive then they can get easily discouraged. I have to be there, constantly encouraging them to push farther.

Do I have what it takes mentally to be an outstanding trainer? Pleases share your thoughts.

Yours in health,

Preston