Do you use your personal strengths to your advantage when moving through your daily agenda? If your answer is no, then it is time for you to make some healthy adjustments. We all have a bounty of strengths that are unique to just us; when you use them to complete even the simplest of tasks, you will feel all the more purposeful and intentional.
This week, we were able to talk to the creator of The Strengths Journal, Dana Williams. Dana shares with us how to hone in on personal strengths, the benefits of doing so, as well as her experience in organization and prioritization. Keep reading to learn more.
What is The Strengths Journal?
When your days continue to pass by without feeling fulfilled or purposeful, something needs to give. The Strengths Journal is a place where you can learn to dominate your day. This journal is so much more than a daily planner; it comes packed with worksheets and assessments to help you realize your own personal strengths. Then, it helps you apply these strengths to your daily experience.
Williams created this journal with the goal of helping you live with more energy, more productivity, and more confidence. “What I love about the framework of the journal is that you really have to think about what your desired outcome is for each day, and then why. This is so that you’re spending your time on the right things. Every day, we ask you what the top three things you’re going to do, which eliminates the challenge of having too many things on your list.”
Advice from Dana
Dana has designed The Strengths Journal to help you find fulfillment and accomplishment in every day. She shares that when you truly focus on your strengths, you will be more energized by your life.
“It’s about managing your energy, not managing your time. If you use your strengths every day, you’ll get more done. Make sure to channel your strengths in order to get things done. This way, you can use your strengths for the things that really energize you.”
Williams also acknowledges that it is important to work through moments of discomfort and uncertainty in order to reach a place where you are growing. “We ask that you reflect on the day; what did you learn, and what fear did you conquer? The reasoning for that is when we work through fears, we grow and we learn.”
“Healthy wellbeing is about growing, just like plants – it’s not about staying stagnant.”
Dana Williams
Interview with Dana Williams
Q: What do you think is the biggest obstacle that stands in the way of people recognizing their strengths?
A: “I think most people think they’re really well rounded, and they compare themselves to everyone else. Strengths tell us that you’re one in 34 million – you’re unique.”
Q: What is the biggest challenge people face when it comes to getting organized?
A: “Overcommitting, not putting boundaries up and not planning ahead. That’s what I love about looking at the calendar on Sunday; we have a weekly plan for when you think about your goals for the week and why and how you want to get them done. If you haven’t had the time to think that through, you let the day manage you instead of you managing the day. Knowing your strengths is important because it allows you to understand what you’re made of, and then, how you’re going to use those strengths to get your tasks done.”
Q: How do you start your day?
A: “I think it’s really important to have my quiet time in the morning, then I like to go work out. When I’m having my time, I’m usually looking at my journal, considering what I’m going to accomplish that day. I’ve already filled it out, just refreshing my memory. I’m really into frameworks for my day.”
Q: What is your favorite thing to do to relieve stress?
A: “I love a good Netflix. For wellbeing there are five things that I really focus on – these are all in the journal. 1) Social time 2) career wellbeing 3) finances 4) fitness and physical activity 5) community or faith. For me, spending time connecting with other people is very important. That could be a great phone conversation, zoom calls; as long as I’m not sitting alone and not socializing, any form of connecting with people gives me energy. I also love to garden, go on long walks, be near water. These things feed my personal thriving.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about working in your garden?
A: “I have always loved gardening. We moved from a house with a big garden to a townhome with a small garden in the courtyard, which I love, but it was a hard transition. This time of year is my favorite – they always say, in Texas, that you shouldn’t plant until March 17th. It’s like a holiday. I love getting my hands dirty and getting out there in my garden. I can’t wait to get out and get all of the dead out of there, plant new flowers. It feeds my soul to have beautiful flowers and plants and life around me.”
Grow with Your Garden
Join Dana on April 7th for a Live, Grow and Thrive in 2021 virtual workshop at 4:00 pm.
Lead, Grow, & Thrive in 2021 is the interactive virtual workshop for anyone who wants to get growing and learn about a fresh approach to thriving personally and at work. This is the perfect gathering for Corporate Leaders and Coaches who are passionate about self-development and the well-being of their teams.
Hosted by Dana Williams, founder of The Strengths Journal™, and Donna Letier, Gardenuity’s co-founder and CEO – Live, Grow, Thrive in 2021 will be a lively discussion about mental health in the workplace, finding your strengths, work-life integration, finding purpose, and growing moments that matter.
During this engaging workshop, Dana will also share the importance of channeling your strengths through daily journaling, and Donna will host a demonstration of Gardenuity’s container gardens and discuss the well-being benefits that come from growing your own herbs and veggies.
There are three ways to register for this virtual workshop, you can purchase any of these exclusive well-being offerings:
- Growing for Good – Herb Container Garden Kit ($72)
- The Strengths Journal™ ($39)
- Growing for Good & The Strength’s Journal Bundle ($110)
Access to the virtual workshop will be shared on April 7th, and the workshop will be held as a Zoom Meeting.
If you are looking for a new structure to guide your growth, consider adopting The Strengths Journal … and a garden! Slow down your mind, and take some time to grow alongside your garden or gardening kit with a new agenda.