Find Your Strengths, Build Your Business

Let me take you back to a moment when I thought I had it all figured out. I was juggling teaching, running a notary business, and being a mom. I was doing a lot, but something felt off. I wasn’t thriving — just surviving. That’s when it hit me: I was pouring my energy into areas that weren’t aligned with my strengths. The moment I realized this, I dove into self-discovery, and trust me, it changed everything.

Self-awareness is the secret ingredient to finding your niche in business and life. It’s not just a fluffy idea; research backs it up.

That’s huge, right?

Why Self-Discovery is Crucial

If you don’t know what makes you unique, it’s hard to stand out. Self-discovery isn’t about fixing weaknesses but recognizing and leveraging your natural talents. It’s about playing to your strengths in every decision you make, especially in your business.

Why This Matters for Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurship demands adaptability, creativity, and resilience. Knowing your strengths allows you to:

1. Build Confidence: When you understand what you’re naturally good at, you approach challenges with more assurance.

2. Create Alignment: Align your business offerings with your strengths for more authentic and sustainable growth.

3. Increase Efficiency: Spend more time on tasks that energize you and delegate the ones that don’t.

4. Stand Out: Your strengths are what differentiate you in a crowded market.

Real-Life Success Stories

Case Study 1: Sarah, the Storytelling Realtor

Sarah was a real estate agent struggling to compete in a saturated market. Through self-discovery, she realized her storytelling ability was a strength. She began crafting engaging narratives for each property she listed, complete with social media videos. The result? Her sales increased by 40% within a year, and she became the go-to agent for families looking for homes with character and history.

Case Study 2: Marcus, the Analytical Marketer

Marcus worked as a freelance marketer but felt stuck in a rut. After completing CliftonStrengths, he discovered his top strength was "Analytical." Instead of trying to be a generalist, he positioned himself as a data-driven marketer specializing in performance analytics. He doubled his client base in six months by focusing on businesses that valued measurable results.

When I leaned into my knack for teaching and breaking complex topics into bite-sized, actionable steps, my coaching business took off. It wasn’t about doing more; it was about doing what I’m naturally good at.

How to Identify Your Hidden Talents

We often overlook our most valuable skills because they come so naturally to us. Here are some practical tools and tips to help you uncover yours:

1. Personality and Strengths Assessments

• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): Understand how you perceive the world and make decisions. For example, are you an introvert who excels in one-on-one interactions, or an extrovert who thrives in group settings? Knowing this can help you choose your marketing and communication strategies.

• CliftonStrengths (StrengthsFinder): This tool identifies your top talents out of 34 strength themes. For example, if your top strength is “Woo” (Winning Others Over), you might excel in sales or networking. If it’s “Analytical,” you might focus on data-driven business decisions.

• DISC Personality Profile: This tool highlights your behavioral style—are you driven, supportive, precise, or enthusiastic?

2. Feedback from Others

• Ask for Honest Input: Reach out to trusted friends, colleagues, or mentors and ask, “What do you think I’m naturally good at?” Their answers might reveal strengths you’ve never acknowledged.

• Surveys or 360-Degree Feedback: Create a simple Google Form and ask 5-10 people to answer questions about your strengths. Patterns will emerge that provide clarity.

3. Journaling and Reflection

• Prompts to Reflect On:

  • When do I feel most energized?

  • What activities make time fly for me?

  • What compliments do I receive most often?

• Daily Strength Tracker: Keep a journal where you note tasks that felt effortless and fulfilling versus those that drained you.

4. Career and Skills Assessments

• VIA Character Strengths: This free tool reveals your core character strengths and how to apply them in daily life.

• Holland Code Career Test: Helps you understand which careers align with your personality and strengths.

Tools and Resources to Dive Deeper

Books to Add to Your Shelf

• StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath: A must-read to identify and maximize your strengths.

• The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown: Explores embracing your authentic self.

• Atomic Habits by James Clear: Learn how to build habits around your strengths for maximum impact.

• Mindset by Carol S. Dweck: Understand the power of shifting to a growth mindset.

Apps and Platforms

• Day One Journal: Perfect for reflection and tracking moments of insight.

• GoodNotes or Notion: Use these for structured journaling with templates.

• VIA Strengths App: A free tool to identify and understand your core character strengths.

Workshops and Online Tools

• MasterClass: Look for courses on self-discovery and personal growth.

• Coursera or Udemy: Affordable courses on personality assessments and professional growth.

The Entrepreneurial Angle

Knowing your strengths isn’t just a confidence booster; it’s a business game-changer. Imagine marketing yourself as the expert in a niche you’re naturally gifted in. It’s not about working harder; it’s about working smarter and staying in your zone of genius.

For example:

• If you’re a people person, you’d excel at networking and relationship-based sales.

• If you’re detail-oriented, document prep or process optimization might be your jam.

When I started my notary coaching business, I realized my teaching background gave me an edge in breaking down complex topics. That strength became the foundation of my entire business model. I leaned into it, creating workshops, courses, and resources that simplify entrepreneurship for notaries and beyond.

Your Mini Action Plan

1. Take One Personality Test: Pick one tool (like CliftonStrengths or VIA Character Strengths) and complete it this week.

2. Journal Prompt: Write about a recent task or experience that felt completely natural and enjoyable. What skills were you using?

3. Feedback Request: Email three trusted individuals and ask them, “What do you see as my top three strengths?”

A Fun Challenge

Grab a journal and write down your top three strengths. Then, brainstorm one way you can use each strength in your business this week. For example:

• Strength: Great at explaining complex ideas

  • Action: Create a 60-second explainer video for your top service.

Closing Thought

Self-discovery isn’t a one-and-done deal; it’s a journey. The more you learn about yourself, the more you can create a business (and life) that feels authentic and fulfilling.

Remember, the power of grit gets you through the tough times, but the promise of growth makes it all worth it.

What strength are you most excited to lean into this week? Hit reply and let me know — I’d love to hear from you!

Happy discovering,
Amber

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