Personal Strength Assessment

If you're struggling to identify your strengths, here are 5 questions to fix that: (1) What doesn't feel like work to you? (What feels effortless to you but difficult to others often reveals your deepest strengths.) (2) What energizes you? Look at your calendar from the past 2 weeks. For each meeting, task, and project, did it energize you or drain you? (3) What could you imagine working on for 5+ years, even without seeing much success? Where would you persist through setbacks? (4) Ask 3 people: "When do I seem most energized and in my element? What do you see me doing when I'm at my best?" (5)  What unusual combinations of skills do I have? (It's easier to become world-class at the intersection of 2-3 unusual skills than to become the best at any single skill.) Answering these 5 questions is important because research on career planning reveals we're often blind to our own strengths. What we're good at feels easy and natural, while our weaknesses create headaches that demand attention. So negativity bias keeps us focused on where we fall short. We also compare ourselves incorrectly, measuring against experts with 10,000+ hours instead of comparing our rate of improvement to others with similar experience. And we limit ourselves prematurely, ruling out entire paths based on current abilities rather than asking: "Which strengths are worth building?" What are your answers to these 5 questions? -- If you found this useful: ♻️ Repost to help your network too 🛎️ Follow me for more science-backed strategies

"Focus On Improving Yourself, Not Proving Yourself" I've noticed something powerful in my journey as a financial associate director : The moment you shift from proving your worth to others... to improving yourself for your own growth... everything changes. Many of us spend countless hours: 📊 Showcasing achievements 📊 Seeking validation 📊 Comparing ourselves to peers 📊 Chasing external recognition 📊 Worrying about others' opinions But what if we redirected that energy? When I stopped trying to prove my capabilities and started focusing on genuine self-improvement, my perspective transformed completely. → Client relationships deepened → My expertise naturally expanded → Confidence came from competence, not comparison → Progress became sustainable, not performative This shift wasn't easy. My inner critic constantly whispered "show them what you can do" rather than "become better than you were yesterday." The financial industry often encourages competition and comparison. We're measured by numbers, rankings, and achievements. Yet the most fulfilled professionals I know measure themselves against their own growth curve, not others'. True progress happens when you: ✨ Embrace learning from failures ✨ Seek feedback for improvement, not validation ✨ Set personal standards beyond industry benchmarks ✨ Celebrate growth, not just outcomes I'm curious - where in your professional life are you spending energy proving yourself when you could be improving instead? For me, this mindset shift has been transformative. When your focus shifts from external validation to internal growth, success follows naturally. Remember: The most impressive people aren't those constantly trying to impress others. They're the ones consistently working to elevate themselves. Your success story begins when you prioritize personal growth over external perception. Is there one area where you could make this shift today?

Last Monday, I led a workshop on IKIGAI for 30 leaders from a Singaporean school. Here’s the heart of it: To find your IKIGAI, you need to start with your strengths. Why focus on strengths? Because they sit at the intersection of 3 circles of Ikigai: 💙 Your Loves: What you love. 💪 Your Gifts: What you are good at. 🛠️ Your Skills: What you can be paid for. But here's the problem: most people don't truly know their strengths. When I ask, "What are your 3 superpowers?" Usually, 80% draw a blank. So, how do you uncover your strengths? Try my favorite approach: ⚙️Reverse Engineer Your Success: Look back at your wins. What strengths helped you succeed? Example: I sold a coaching contract to a COO of a Scale-up. Here are the key strengths I used: (1) Listening skills (2) Empathy (understanding pain points), and (3) Being Driven. Analyze your successes and you'll likely find recurring strengths. Now, apply the 'OUI' approach: ✔️Own Your Strengths: Identify them. Talk about them. ✔️Use Them Daily: Find ways to integrate them into your everyday work. ✔️Invest in Them: Seek training, coaching, and new learning experiences. But that's just the first step. Next, figure out what the world needs - a problem you're uniquely equipped to solve. And here's the truth: the world won't wait for you to discover what you need. So, take the leap and step outside your comfort zone. It's time to merge your strengths with the world's needs. That's when the magic happens. That's Ikigai. I am Geraldine, founder of GoMasterCoach If you enjoyed this, follow me and subscribe to the newsletter for more coaching tips (link in comment). #Ikigai #strengthscoaching #PersonalGrow

"𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘋𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘒𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘔𝘺 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩𝘴?" This is a question that many people have been asking me recently, since they've heard I'm now a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach. My short answer – take the Clifton Strengthsfinder Assessment! But if you aren't ready for that yet, but want to have a glimpse of the possible talents you already possess, here are 𝟱 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 according to Gallup: 1. 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 – To what kinds of activities are you naturally drawn?     2. 𝗥𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 – What kinds of activities do you seem to pick up quickly?      3. 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄 – During what activities do you seem to automatically know the steps to be taken?      4. 𝗚𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗽𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 – During what activities have you had moments of subconscious excellence, when did you thought “How did I do that?”      5. 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – What activities give you a kick, either while doing them or immediately after finishing them, and you think, “When can I do that again?” You may want to pause and reflect on these questions. Done? If you're stuck, here are some of my own examples. 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: • I am naturally drawn to travel, because my number 1 strength of "Input" means I like to collect information about things, places, culture, history. • When I travel, I often skip the tourist attractions (except to collect photos and memories of course) and just randomly roam through the city. 𝗥𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: • I realise that I pick up languages very quickly. Because I have a very strong auditory sense, I can listen to someone say something a couple of times and I can repeat it back. • I speak English, Mandarin fluently, and French fluently enough to have a simple 20 minute conversation with someone in French. 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄: • When I first learned Improv Theatre, I found it difficult as a speaker, I'm usually more prepared. • But once I get the hang of the concepts, my strengths of "Input" (#1), "Ideation" (#2) and "Adaptability" (#3) comes to the fore. 𝗚𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗽𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: • When I am coaching clients, I often find it easy to quote a research, a concept, or offer a metaphor or analogy to help clients gain clarity and move conversations forward. • I often thought "how did I do that?"    𝗦𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: • I enjoy facilitating workshops. For most people, a full day workshop can be very draining. • But for me, it's fun! I get to listen to multiple perspectives, hear different stories, and I'm able to direct the conversations and weave learnings together to meet every participants' needs. • It's energizing for me! I hope you find these questions useful guideposts for your talents. If you can uncover them and use them, it may just change your life! I am a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach. If you or your organisation would like to explore how a strengths-based approach can unlock purpose and raise productivity, let's chat! #WholeHearted

When is Walking Not Enough? Walking gets a lot of airtime when it comes to health, as it should. We have myriad trackers for distance and daily steps, and ‘closing your rings’ has become a new daily goal. But is it enough? Walking is one of the best things you can do for your health. It is accessible, pretty joint-friendly, and “counts” even when broken into small chunks. In fact, large studies using activity trackers suggest that adding just 5 minutes per day of brisk movement could meaningfully reduce premature deaths, especially among the least active (https://lnkd.in/gdd9GrRA). Here’s the catch: as we move through the ageing trajectory, walking is not always the limiting factor for staying independent. Often, the bottleneck becomes muscle strength and muscle power. Power is simply strength, expressed quickly. It’s what helps you stand up from a chair, climb stairs, step up onto a curb, and catch yourself if you trip. A striking example comes from the InCHIANTI study. Older adults with very low leg power were much more likely to lose mobility over time. For men, very low leg power meant being nearly 9 times more likely to develop new mobility disability; for women, it was about 3 times more likely (https://lnkd.in/gfJPkVpZ). Strength and power are not just about function. Low muscle strength is also a major, independent health risk. In a nationally representative US sample, people with low strength had about 2 to 3 times higher likelihood of dying during follow-up, even when accounting for muscle mass, physical activity, and health conditions. (https://lnkd.in/gu4CxzMT). And power may tell us even more. In a large prospective study, people in the lowest group for leg muscle power were about 6 times more likely to die over follow-up compared with those in the highest group. Strength differences were far smaller in comparison (https://lnkd.in/g52wTaf7). Even genetic data points in the same direction. A higher predisposition toward strength was linked with a lower risk of cardiovascular death in men, regardless of their reported leisure-time physical activity (https://lnkd.in/gjQNa7UB). Walking is great exercise, and it has many benefits, even in small doses. It just may not be enough on its own for long-term mobility and resilience. Remember, the guidelines include strengthening activity! Practical Takeaways · Prioritize maintaining and improving muscle strength and power throughout life, especially as you age, to support long-term mobility and health. · Engage in regular resistance training and activities that promote both strength and power, as these are critical for independent physical functioning. · Be aware that low muscle strength is a significant, independent risk factor for premature mortality. · Clinicians: Consider assessments that measure both muscle strength and power, as power may offer additional predictive insights into mortality risk.

Stronger muscles. Longer life. 💪🏼🏋️ A new study of 5,400+ women aged 63–99 followed for ~8 years found that greater muscle strength was associated with a 30–35% lower risk of death. Importantly, this benefit remained independent of aerobic fitness and overall physical activity levels. Researchers assessed strength using: • Grip strength (hand dynamometer) • 5-times sit-to-stand test (lower body strength) They also adjusted for key factors including: • accelerometer-measured physical activity • walking speed and functional fitness • sedentary time • age and chronic disease risk Even after these adjustments, muscle strength remained one of the strongest predictors of survival. In other words: It wasn’t just how much these women moved… it was how strong they were. Muscle is more than movement — it functions as a metabolic and endocrine organ supporting metabolic health, resilience to illness, mobility, and independence with aging. Takeaway: Women should be lifting weights at every age. Build strength. Protect muscle. Extend healthspan. ❓For all the women- Do you lift weights now? How often? How old are you and what age did you start? 💪🏼 Tag someone who should start strength training. Reference: LaMonte MJ, Hyde ET, Nguyen S, et al. Muscular Strength and Mortality in Women Aged 63–99 Years. JAMA Network Open. 2025;8(2):e2459367. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.59367

Comparing oneself with others is a common but detrimental habit. It can lead to feelings of inadequacy, jealousy, and low self-esteem. Each person's journey is unique, shaped by their experiences, opportunities, and challenges. When you compare your progress or achievements with others, you overlook these individual differences and set unrealistic expectations for yourself. Focusing on others distracts you from your own growth and accomplishments. It shifts your attention from what you have achieved to what you haven't, fostering a mindset of scarcity rather than abundance. Instead, celebrate your progress, no matter how small. Recognize that everyone has their own pace and path in life. Furthermore, comparisons often lead to negative emotions and stress, which can hinder your motivation and productivity. By constantly measuring yourself against others, you may feel overwhelmed and discouraged, which can prevent you from reaching your full potential. The key to personal development lies in self-reflection and self-improvement. Set your own goals based on your values and aspirations, and measure your progress against these benchmarks. Embrace your individuality, appreciate your strengths, and work on your weaknesses without the burden of comparison. Remember, the only person you should strive to be better than is the person you were yesterday.

In today’s hyper-connected world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison. You scroll through LinkedIn and see someone announcing a major career milestone, launching a successful business, or getting recognition for their work. Suddenly, your own progress feels small. But here’s the truth: Comparison is a focus killer. Instead of working towards your own goals, you start measuring your worth by someone else’s achievements. This not only drains your energy but also shifts your attention from growth to self-doubt. Here’s how comparison destroys focus and how to break free: 1️⃣ It Shifts Your Mindset from Progress to Pressure When you compare yourself to others, you set unrealistic expectations. You stop appreciating your own journey and start chasing someone else’s timeline. This pressure leads to burnout rather than sustainable growth. 2️⃣ It Creates Anxiety Instead of Action Instead of focusing on your work, you start overanalyzing why you’re "behind." This mental drain reduces your ability to be creative, make decisions, and take action on what truly matters. 3️⃣ It Distracts You from Your Unique Path Everyone’s journey is different. The person you admire has faced struggles you may never see. When you compare, you risk copying their strategy instead of crafting your own unique success story. How to Shift from Comparison to Focus ✔ Set Personal Benchmarks – Measure your progress against your past self, not others. Track small wins and celebrate your growth. ✔ Curate Your Digital Space – Limit exposure to content that triggers unhealthy comparison. Follow accounts that inspire learning rather than competition. ✔ Practice Gratitude – Remind yourself of your achievements, skills, and opportunities. Gratitude shifts your focus from what’s missing to what’s working. ✔ Take Focused Action – Instead of worrying about what others are doing, double down on your own work. The best way to succeed is to stay consistent with your efforts. At the end of the day, the only comparison that matters is who you were yesterday vs. who you are today. Focus on your journey. The results will follow. #Mindset #Focus #PersonalGrowth #CareerSuccess #LinkedInMotivation

💪🔥 WHEN FITNESS BECOMES PROGNOSIS: THE SURVIVAL POWER OF STRENGTH & CARDIORESPIRATORY FITNESS IN CANCER CARE🧬🏋️♀️ What if two of the strongest predictors of survival after a cancer diagnosis weren’t found in the tumor, the genes, or the chemo protocol… but in the patient’s strength and fitness? A new meta-analysis of 46,694 cancer patients shows: 🔹 31–46% lower all-cause mortality in patients with higher muscle strength or CRF 🔹 Significant benefits even in advanced-stage, lung, and digestive cancers 🔹 Each “small bump” in strength or fitness = meaningful reduction in death risk 🔹 CRF increments cut cancer-specific mortality by 18% Bettariga F, Galvao DA, Taaffe DR, et al. Association of muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness with all-cause and cancer-specific mortality in patients diagnosed with cancer: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2025;59(10):722-732. Published 2025 May 2. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2024-108671 https://lnkd.in/eUn7CyGq For clinicians, this finding is more than interesting — it’s actionable. Fitness is a vital sign. Strength is medicine. CRF is prognosis. If we don’t measure it, we miss one of the most powerful, modifiable predictors of survival we have. The healthcare system must evolve: Exercise professionals belong in oncology care teams. Fitness testing belongs in the EMR. Training adaptations belong in the care plan. Patients deserve it. The data demands it. The outcomes prove it. #ExerciseOncology #CancerSurvivorship #CancerRehab #CancerRecovery #OncologyRehab #StrengthForSurvivors #MoveThroughCancer #ExerciseIsMedicine #FitnessInCancerCare #CancerSupport #SurvivorStrong #CancerFighters #CancerWellness #IntegrativeOncology #CancerCare #ExercisePhysiology #ClinicalExercisePhysiology #CardiorespiratoryFitness #MuscleStrength #StrengthTraining #CancerAwareness #OncologyCare #CancerCommunity #CancerJourney #CancerResearch #EvidenceBasedPractice #PhysicalActivityMatters #StrongerAfterCancer #CancerPrevention #CancerSurvivorCare

Stop comparing your progress to others. After studying 1,000+ high achievers, I discovered why feeling "behind" is actually a sign you're on the right track. Everyone feels behind sometimes - even those getting ahead. The truth? Your internal dialogue kills more dreams than failure ever will. I spent 5 years studying successful entrepreneurs who overcame comparison paralysis. Here's what they did differently: They understood a crucial truth: Comparison is confirmation bias in action. When you compare, you: • Notice others' wins, not their struggles • Amplify your flaws, not your progress • Create imaginary deadlines for success But here's what research reveals about comparison: Neural imaging shows comparison triggers the same brain regions as physical pain. So those feelings of inadequacy? They're literally hurting you. The solution isn't "just stop comparing." It's rewiring your comparison triggers: 1. Track Your Comparison Moments • Note exact situations • Record your emotional state • Identify environmental factors 2. Create a "Wins" Database • Document daily progress • Screenshot positive feedback • Update weekly accomplishments 3. Set Progress Metrics That Matter • Revenue growth rate vs size • Skill mastery vs credentials • Impact depth vs reach The most successful people I studied had this in common: They transformed comparison into data collection. Instead of "They're so far ahead," ask: • What systems did they build? • Which mistakes did they avoid? • How can I adapt their strategy? Watch how quickly your focus shifts from others to your own growth. Because success isn't about being better than someone else. It's about being better than your previous self. - If you found this valuable: • Repost for your network ♻️ • Follow me for more deep dives • Join 25,500+ subscribers for more actionable tips to build your brand and protect your reputation: https://lnkd.in/edPWpFRR #PersonalGrowth #Success #Mindset