Strength or Distraction?

I love using StrengthFinders 2.0 to help my clients discover their strengths. And it has finally sunk into my brain that strengths can also become distractions. Thanks to an understanding of polarities, I am able to see the flip side of the coin of Strengths.

In the thinking technology of managing Polarities, There is not only the polaritiy of seemingly contrasting intentions, but even within a focus there is the polarity of extremes, of good and bad, as well as where we apply our strengths.

Example: a baseball glove works well on the ballfield, though using it as a glove for cleaning snow off the car might be a bit awkward. OK, that one is a bit extreme, but it gives you an idea about application.

So lets apply this to the way we live our lives.

One of my strengths is intellection. Yeah, a funny word. What it means is that I like to analyze things, examine the parts, put them back together, find the source of thoughts, ask the questions that get to the core of your greatest potential. I've found (and others have, too) that this is a very powerful strength for coaching. And yet, it can have some drawbacks when applied in less useful places in my life, or when applied as a default modality, if I'm not thinking about it.

When it runs amuck in my business life, it can cause stagnation and indecision. Paralysis by analysis, if you will. When looking at options and opportunities, I can examine and question and analyze until I'm blue in the face. Decisions need to be made. Some decision are better when relying more on intuition.

Sometimes I find myself drawn into intellection when there is other work to be done that requires more focus. That's when I find myself staring off into space (or the computer screen) for minutes at a time. Distraction. Can you relate?

And unfettered intellection is certainly a handicap when it comes to centering or meditating.

The realization of this strength as a distraction allows me to now be aware of when it is happening. Sometimes. This awareness of my default tendencies is a new muscle that I'm exercising, so I'm not beating myself up when it doesn't happen all the time.

Awareness is the first step to self-empowerment, and then we can choose again.

What is your distraction?

When is it your strength?

Those are the polarities that we can manage. Doesn't that feel better?

Affirming your greatness,
Larry Watson

P.S. Comment and subscribe ;-)

larry@inspiringconnection.com
www.InspiringConnection.com

Dragging It Around

Waking up in the morning, thoughts of yesterday float through my head. And something that I regret, some little (or big) thing that I did or didn’t do, gives me a sense of remorse, maybe even guilt. Maybe in some small way I judge myself, condemn myself and look for a way of punishing myself. 

Sound familiar?

I’ve already pulled out the bat and began to beat myself up over the things done and undone. And the greatest punishment that I seemed compelled to perpetuate is the act/inaction of repeating it. Is that really necessary? Really?

What is the new attitude that will allow the release of these obstacles and momentum?

Today is a new day. I start fresh today, with the grace of an open window called today. Bringing yesterday in through that window is totally unnecessary! Each day, the grace of this Universe allows us to start fresh, without a tally of wrongs and inadequacies. Start fresh with an eye on our potential and power, the shining light of all that we were born as. 

Take off the dark glasses of ego-imposed judgment, no longer ground-focused, and look up at all the choices that serve joyful intentions and core values.

The bat I was using was the bat of the perpetuation of sabotaging my self-actualizing. It’s not only a matter of “doing” the things that are in alignment with my purpose and joy, but rather a process of forgiveness and letting go of the self-imposed sentence of a poor set of directions in conflict with my internal GPS.

This is the open door to the grace of our  untapped potential, and  the unleashing of our greatness. When we leave the guilt and resentment at the threshold, this day, this hour is the door to our present joy.

I am here for you when you need the support to create that joy.