Strengths, values, and interests

There is a question you need to ask yourself before you start changing your tasks, thoughts, and relationships. What do you want more of at work?

That question is harder to answer than it seems, because most people are trained to answer a different question. People are often trained to answer what the work needs from them. This turns that around. Start by reflecting on the strengths you bring, what matters to you, what interests you, and let that guide everything that follows.

Strengths

Your strengths are qualities, skills, or talents that come naturally to you and energize you. Think about what makes you unique. It might also help to think about things you admire in others. List your top three strengths on a sheet of paper.

Values

Your values are more than words that describe you or what you want the world to be like. Think about what matters most to you for a moment. These things are what you value, and they shape your behavior, decisions, and priorities in life and work. They make work worth doing. List your top three values on a sheet of paper below your strengths.

Interests

Your interests are topics and activities that you gravitate toward related to work. Where does your attention go? Knowing your interests can be a bridge to relationships with others at work with similar interests. Integrating your interests at work can help you feel more motivated and make work more enjoyable. List your top three interests on a sheet of paper below your values.

Your strengths, values, and interests combine to create a state where you lose track of time because you are fully absorbed in your work. This is called the flow state and it's where you perform at your highest level.