Strengths Advisory Council

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Join us at the Strengths Workshop!

Wednesday, Oct. 17 from 3 to 5 p.m. – Career Development Center

CliftonStrengths for Students helps you identify and maximize your own natural talents for success in the classroom, the workplace and life.

Discover your own superpowers! Take a free personal assessment and get expert guidance on how to leverage your specific strengths at school or at work.

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Other Strengths Week Events

(all from noon to 1 p.m. unless otherwise noted):

Monday, Oct. 15 Strengths Mini Workshops – CoLab, OCB 1st Floor

Learn about your strengths and how to use them to their fullest potential. Attend a mini workshop and have your name entered in a drawing for one of our prizes!

Tuesday, Oct. 16 The Incredibles – Craig Auditorium, GEB 233

Join us for a movie, popcorn and superhero action.

Wednesday, Oct. 17 College Recess – Meet in Fountain Square (grassy courtyard area by the Hare and Bell sculpture)

Outdoor obstacle course experience. Water, snacks and prizes will be provided. Student ID required. (rainout location: GYM)

Thursday, Oct. 18  Trivia – Food Court tables near @javajazz

Think you know a lot about Strengths? Test your knowledge!

All week

Stop by our information tables between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. daily at these locations for a full list of Strengths Week events:

• COM 201, top of the stairs
• CC Lobby, across from Encore!
• Espresso RC 3rd Floor
• CLB 2nd floor, next to ViBE

By Caylin Smith

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A key component of the CliftonStrengths philosophy is that we should focus on our strengths, not our weaknesses. This concentration on positive psychology is certainly a valid, empowering perspective. Though, in the midst of all this positivity, it is important to clarify that not focusing on our weaknesses does not mean we should pretend they do not exist. Maybe this is my Strategic strength talking, but I actually think about my weaknesses quite often. These thoughts are not negative or self-deprecating. They are objective, gracious, and forward-thinking. We do not have to be resigned to the fact that we do not excel at a particular thing; there is something we can do about it! There is room to focus on our strengths during the moments we experience our weaknesses.

It has been a process for me to accept that writing is a weakness of mine. Here is where I explore (not focus on) my weakness a little further. I am an extrovert who likes to process through my thoughts externally, and I have zero executing strengths. Achiever, Focus, and Discipline are almost certainly nowhere near my top 5 strengths. I see writing as a solitary task in which I look at my computer or a piece of paper for extended periods of time. My computer does not respond to my thoughts or make eye contact. I can’t hug it or ask for feedback after I share my ideas with it. My words hang on the page in cold, pixelated form. The steady blink of the cursor is the closest thing this machine has to a heartbeat, and I sit wondering what is happening in the world I am not currently exploring. I may be relatively good at writing, but ultimately I am relieved—and ready for a nap—when the process is over. I think writing will always be somewhat draining for me, and by the CliftonStrengths definition of a weakness, it will be.

But that’s okay! Because I have SO MANY other things that I LOVE doing. I can focus on my strengths even when I write. Here’s how I do it….

Continue reading “Unpopular Opinion: The Role Our Weaknesses Play”

By Jason Gray

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Maria has recently been assigned a persuasive essay in her Comp I class. Her professor has given the students the freedom to write about any topic they choose. Initially, Maria was excited to get started on her first college paper, however, her excitement and enthusiasm has shifted to feelings of despair and anxiety. She has started writing about three different topics and each time after getting a good start, she comes up with what she thinks is a better topic.

 

Robert is in a class where he and his classmates have recently been assigned a small group project. This is the first group assignment Robert has had to participate in since starting college and for the first time, he is feeling less inspired and excited about his coursework and school.

 

Suzanne has been a great student. She studies hard, has perfect attendance and performs well in class. However, she is starting to feel as though her efforts and hard work are not appreciated and rewarded and as a result is starting to question her choice of major.

 

In the three scenarios, each person is experiencing what in the strengths world we call “the basement”. When we are putting our talent themes (Top 5) to use, or are in situations where our strengths naturally emerge, we call those moments “balconies”. At those times we are at the top of our game, feeling like we are at our best – on the lofty balcony, high above, looking down at all that is good and wonderful. There are times, however, where those very same strengths and talents can relocate us to the “basement” – a place where the inherent needs and tendencies our strengths demand become the very bane of our existence. Continue reading “Don’t Get Locked in the Basement!”