Penny Reis

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I this you? Discover Your Strengths!

I came across this book last night on the shelf called Strengths Finder 2.0 by #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Tom Rath.

I decided to take a peek and I opened the book to page 141 Positivity.  I wanted to share.

POSITIVITY

You are generous with praise, quick to smile, and always on the lookout for the positive in the situation.  Some call you light hearted.  Others just wish that their glass were as full as yours seem to be.  But either way, people want to be around you.  Their world looks better around you because your enthusiasm is contagious.  Lacking your energy and optimism, some find their world drab with repetition or, worse, heavy with pressure.  You seem to find a way to lighten their spirits.  You inject drama into every project.  You celebrate every achievement.  You find ways to make everything more exciting and more vital.  Some cynics may reject your energy, but you are rarely dragged down.  Your positivity won’t allow it.  Somehow you can’t quite escape your conviction that it is good to be alive, that work can be fun, and that no matter what the setbacks, one must never lose one’s sense of humor.

Positivity Sounds Like This:

Gerry L., Flight Attendant:  “There are so many people on an airplane that I have made it a point over the years to single out one or two on a flight and make it something special for them.  Certainly, I will be courteous to everybody and extend to them the kind of professionalism that I would like given to me, but over and about that I try to make one person or family or small group of people feel particularly special, with jokes and conversation and little games that I play.”

Andy B., Internet Marketing Executive: “I am one of those people who loves creating buzz.  I read magazines all the time, and I find something fun- some new stories, new lip gloss, whatever- I will charge around telling everyone about it. ‘Oh, you just have to try this new store.  It is so-o-o cool.  Look at these pictures.  Check them out. ‘I am so passionate when I talk about something that people just have to do what I say.  It’s not that I am a great salesperson.  I’m not in fact, I hate asking for the close, I hate bothering people.  It’s just that my passion about what I say makes people think, Gosh, it must be true.”

Sunny G., Communications Manager:  “I think the world is plagued with enough negative people.  We need more positive people – people who like to zero in on what is right with the world.  Negative people just make me feel heavy, In my last job, there was a guy who came into my office every morning just to unload on me .  I would purposely dodge him.  I’d see him coming, and I’d run to the bathroom or go some other place.  He made me feel as if the world was a miserable place, and I hated that.”

“Wow, this is me!

Ideas for Action

• You probably will excel in any role in which you are paid to highlight the positive.  A teaching role, a sales role, an entrepreneurial role, or a leadership role will make the most of your ability to make things dramatic.
• You tend to be more enthusiastic and energetic then most people.  When others become discouraged or are reluctant to take risks, your attitude will provide the impetus to keep them moving.  Over time, others will start to look to you for this “lift”.
• Plan highlight activities for your friends and colleagues.  For example, find ways to turn small achievements into events, plan regular celebrations that others can look forward to, or capitalize on the year’s holidays and festivals.
• Explain that your enthusiasm is not simple naivety.  You know that bad things can happen; you simply prefer to focus on the good things.
• You may get your greatest joy by encouraging people.  Freely show your appreciation of others, and make sure that the praise is not vague.  Consistently seek to translate your feelings in specific, tangible, and personal expressions of gratitude and recognition.
• As you share your Positivity talents, be sure to protect and nurture them.  As necessary, insulate yourself from chronic whiners and complainers, and intentionally spend time in highly positivity environments that will invigorate and feed your optimism.
• Don’t pretend that difficulties don’t concern you.  Other people need to know that while find the good in virtually every situation, you are not naïve.  Recognize challenges, and communicate the reasons for your optimism.  Your positive approach will be most powerful with others realize it is grounded reality.
• Because people will rely on you to help them rise above their daily frustration, arm yourself with good stories, jokes and sayings.  Never underestimate the effect that you can have on people.
• Avoid negative people.  They will bring you down.  Instead, seek people who find the same kind of drama and humor in the world that you do.  You will energize each other.
• Deliberately help others see the things that are well for them.  You can keep their eyes on the positive
• The Positive theme doesn’t imply that this person is always in a good mood.  But it does imply that through his humor and attitude, he can make people more excited about their work.

As I continued to skim through the book I realized that there were several “Strengths” traits that fit me.  Below is the list.  If you want the book, below is my *Affiliate Link to buy at Amazon.. I love Amazon!!

The 34 Themes and ideas for Action

Achiever, Activator, Adaptability, Analytical, Arranger, Belief, Command, Communication, Competition, Connectedness, Consistency, Context, Deliberative, Developer, Discipline, Empathy, Focus, Futuristic, Harmony, Ideation, Include, Include, Individualization, Input, Intellection, Learner, Maximizer, Positivity, Relator, Responsibility, Restorative, Self-Assurance, Significance, Strategic, Woo

WOO

Woo Stands for winning others over.  You enjoy the challenge of meeting new people and getting them to like you.  Strangers are rarely intimidating to you.  On the contrary, strangers can be energizing.  You are drawn to them.  You want to learn their names, ask them questions and find some area of common interest so that you can strike up a conversation and build rapport.  Some people shy away from starting up conversations because you derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection.  Once that connection is made, you are quite happy to wrap it up and move on.  There are new people to meet, new rooms to work, new crowds to mingle in.  In your world there are no strangers, only friends you haven’t met yet – lots of them.  WOOoo WEee!!!

Please feel free to Pay it Forward, Pass it on to someone you think is in the Positivity Theme.

Strengths Finder 2.0

Strengths Finder 2.0 Tom Rath

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