How to Discover Your Strengths and Potential

By: Abigail Ellis

Published: January 26, 2025

Let’s talk about something super important: you. Whether you’re dreaming about your future career, thinking about college, or just figuring out what makes you awesome, understanding your strengths and potential is the first step to unlocking your best self.

But here’s the thing—sometimes it’s hard to recognize what you’re great at. You might think, “I don’t have any special skills,” or “I’m just average.” Spoiler alert: that’s not true. Everyone has unique strengths—they just need a little help finding them. That’s where this guide comes in!

Ready to discover what makes you shine? Let’s go!

What Are Strengths, Anyway?

Your strengths are the things you’re naturally good at or enjoy doing. They’re your superpowers—the qualities that make you stand out. These could be:

• Skills (like writing, drawing, coding, or problem-solving)

• Personality traits (like being empathetic, funny, or a good listener)

• Talents (like singing, sports, or creativity)

Your potential is about what you could achieve if you build on those strengths. Think of it like planting a seed—it’s full of possibilities, but you have to nurture it to help it grow.

Why It’s Important to Know Your Strengths

When you know what you’re good at, you can:

1. Build confidence—Understanding your strengths helps you believe in yourself.

2. Set meaningful goals—You can focus on activities and careers that align with your talents.

3. Make better decisions—Knowing your strengths helps you choose classes, hobbies, and jobs that fit you.

5 Ways to Discover Your Strengths and Potential

1. Reflect on What You Love to Do

Think about the activities that make you happy or energized. Do you love solving puzzles? Helping others? Performing on stage? The things you enjoy often point to your strengths.

Ask yourself:

• What activities do I look forward to?

• What do I do that makes time fly by?

• What hobbies or subjects come naturally to me?

For example, if you love organizing events with your friends, you might be a natural leader or planner.

2. Pay Attention to Compliments

Sometimes other people notice our strengths before we do. What do your friends, family, or teachers compliment you on? Maybe they’ve said you’re:

• Creative

• A great problem-solver

• Good at calming people down

Take note of what people appreciate about you—it’s often a clue to your strengths.

3. Explore Different Activities

You won’t know what you’re good at until you try new things. Step outside your comfort zone and explore:

• Clubs or sports at school

• Volunteer opportunities

• Creative hobbies like photography, music, or writing

• Leadership roles like organizing a fundraiser

Trying new things helps you uncover hidden talents and build new skills. Even if something doesn’t click, it’s still a chance to learn about yourself.

4. Take a Personality or Strengths Assessment

There are tons of free tools out there that can help you discover your strengths. These assessments ask questions about your interests, habits, and preferences to give you insights into your skills and personality.

Some great ones to try:

• CliftonStrengths: Identifies your top talents.

• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): Explores your personality type.

• Holland Code Career Test: Matches your interests to careers.

These tools aren’t perfect, but they can give you a starting point.

5. Ask for Feedback

Sometimes it’s hard to see ourselves clearly. Asking people who know you well—like your friends, teachers, or family—can give you a fresh perspective.

Try asking:

• “What do you think I’m really good at?”

• “What’s something you’ve noticed I do better than most people?”

• “If you could pick a career for me, what would it be and why?”

You might be surprised by their answers!

How to Use Your Strengths to Unlock Your Potential

Once you’ve discovered your strengths, it’s time to put them to work! Here’s how:

1. Match Strengths to Careers

Think about how your strengths connect to jobs or industries. For example:

• If you’re great at helping people, consider careers in healthcare, counseling, or education.

• If you love solving problems, look into engineering, science, or business.

• If you’re creative, explore roles in art, design, or writing.

2. Set Goals That Build on Your Strengths

Your strengths can guide you in setting realistic, exciting goals. For example:

• If you’re good at writing, challenge yourself to start a blog or write for your school newspaper.

• If you’re athletic, aim to join a team or train for a specific event.

3. Stay Open to Growth

Your strengths will evolve as you learn and grow. Keep building your skills and trying new things. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes—they’re part of the process.

Remember -You’re a Work in Progress

Discovering your strengths and potential isn’t about being perfect—it’s about understanding what makes you unique and using that to create a future you’re excited about.

Take your time, explore your interests, and believe in yourself. Your strengths are the foundation of everything amazing you’re going to achieve.

So, what strengths are you ready to discover and grow this year? Let me know—I’d love to hear all about your journey!