Hi friendlings!
About three years ago, I posted my strengths finder personality profile and emphasized that we are constantly growing in different seasons of our lives.
I enjoyed this so much that I couldn’t resist to not post it again…I hope you will join me in analyzing where you are now in this season of your life.
Well, time is tickin’, folks, so pull up a chair and turn on your ears!
As I said in the video, the worst thing you can do is put yourself in a box. Eight years ago, my strengths were Activator, Relator, Command, Strategic, and Restorative. God designed us with certain strengths, but He doesn’t limit us. He created us with the ability to grow and evolve as transformative creatures in Christ. But I like this type of test because it helps me identify what I am bringing to the table when it comes to work, ministry, and relationships.
Activator
Responsibility
Intellection
Futuristic
Relator
“Every strength has a backsided weakness.”
“Hindsight is 20/20.”
Focusing on the positives of my strengths while looking back at my behavior can allow me to be more self aware of the “why” behind the things I do. While much of these are insightful for my job, here’s how they can impact my relationships.
(This may prevent me from ever getting asked out again…)
Relator – If I sense someone has a difficult time being open with me, I tend to assume he is hiding something. I’ve come to realize that this assumption may not always be accurate. He may not have the relator strength or feel the need to open up in the way I desire. (Police records, Social Security, SAT scores, etc.)
Futuristic – This means I will link my first name with the last name of any man I meet. (Truthfully, this one plays into my job and my desire to help my parents spread the Love and Respect message to the world.)
Intellection – I stare. Then I “come to” and realize I’ve been going through the motions of driving, reading or riding my unicorn, but really I’ve been in my head thinking of why he is perfect or why we should break up. I’ve come close to slapping myself. (Honestly, if prayer and trusting God is not part of my life, the intellection trait can lead to seclusion, fear, and being paralyzed by my thoughts. It can seem “safer” to stay in mental debate land than to bring my questions before God and wise friends.)
Responsibility – I’m like a loyal leech and I take decisions very seriously. This is why the relationship I mention in “My Story” was so hard to let go of, even though it was the right decision.
Activator – In the work setting, this makes me get things done. In the relationship setting, it can be a lethal combination with the futuristic and intellection traits. The presence of these three traits means I often take little snapshots of something I have observed in a man and wonder how that might look 20 years into marriage. (I can break up with someone in my head even before we ever go on a date.)
So…
The cool part is that when I get in tune with myself, I can recognize how these strengths might affect my feelings and actions. Then, I can take my feelings to God and the wise people around me and say,
“These are my feelings and thoughts right now. They feel very real, but are they right?”
From there, I can hopefully navigate my decisions based on the strengths God has given me in my personality combined with the direction He has given me through Scripture and discernment.
So…
What are you waiting for? Get your doobopis* to the website or bookstore and take this test or any personality test that seems applicable to you right now. It’s insightful, fun, and freeing to know yourself better. And it will definitely help you in your relationships.
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Oh this is great!! Thank you for the links Jim.
I love personality tests. I take the DISC about every year. The biggest change I’d seen in that one was that the way I saw myself had changed. I just enjoy learning about my triggers, etc, and it has changed how I see some relationships.
I took the Strength Finder test in February. My top five themes are Ideation, Connectedness, Communication, Woo and Activator. Still digging into what all that means, but from the surface level I’ve read, I’d say it’s spot on. Can’t wait to dig a bit deeper!
Love you and your posts, joy! I laughed out loud about the relator – that is so me. “Police records, social security, SAT..” Ha. I am also laughing because someone gave me this book but had already used the test part of it so I had to self assess:). I went around going, “yeah, I’m an activator.” And people were like. “Ohhh.” They were very impressed by my self assessing abilities.
As always, great post! 🙂 I just wanna boldly ask why someone would care to take this strength finder test despite the fact that they’ve already figured out what their spiritual gifts are, their primary love languages, and their myers briggs assessment. What would be my motivation to taking yet ANOTHER self test. Is there a point where we know ourselves enough already? lol I’m not hating or nothin. just askin. Maybe I can ask you this question on the HOA this monday! 😉
Identifying and defining your personality can be quite hard. It’s best to think about it earlier rather than later, the type of personality one has. You should know who you are and what kind of brand personality you want to have.If you keep reassuring yourself everyday that you are amazing, you will gain the confidence to a great personality. one should always be comfortable with him or herself and be able to talk to others with vigor that makes them appear more confident. You will feel more comfortable and happy with your personality.
Jim Collison (@jcollison) thinks...
Nice post Joy! Love the fact that you are constantly growing and learning! Just so your readers know, you can also take the assessment online at http://gallupstrengthscenter.com and we have resources and materials on our YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/user/GallupStrengths
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