When My Strengths Empower My Activities

Exploring SWOT Analysis – what are my strengths

In 1993 I started my nurse training at Basingstoke School of Nursing, we were on the cusp of changing from the RGN syllabus to the project 2000 programme which meant that we inherited aspects of the practical RGN placements. My first placement was Midwifery, as a Mum of 1 I had a little bit of experience of the layout of the post natal ward.

But this placement was a reminder of how I am a Marmite person. David the student who was also on the placement had decided he liked me and was quite vociferous and eloquent in my defence when the Sister in Charge of the ward clearly did not like me and he called her out on her unjust behaviour.

TRiM Training

I have over the years done a number of courses which have involved getting to know myself, my strengths and weaknesses – especially with Coaching and expanding my creativity through the artists way. Add in TRiM training whilst serving in the Army and I recognise the signs of when I am dismissed as not being of use to some people.

Its interesting isn’t it. How we can observe peoples reactions to our presence. Some people engage fully and are charming and do not need anything from us, whilst others look and decide that we are not worth their time. I think the worst experience was when people would make my life difficult with senior people because they did not like the cut of my jib. I had a few episodes of trouble making when I had not ever interfered with their lives.

Mediterranean Lifestyle Can Teach You a Thing or Two

Living in Cyprus did teach me a thing or two about myself and how I interacted. I realised that I was very focused and like to deal with the days tasks and workload before relaxing. What took me a bit longer and this is what the Cypriots helped with was my struggle to stand and exchange pleasantries when I met people especially when I had tasks/work to do.

I Have a Resting Bitch Face Why Do People Talk to Me at Bus Stops?

If I do a strengths and weaknesses assessment, I would say that my task orientated behaviour does act as a barrier to my ability to be charming. Which might be why I meet and chat to all sorts of people at the bus stop and on the train and they are engaged. And then in a ‘working environment’ I repel certain people who might find me stand offish. I also consider how my face appears when I am anxious and I lose the ability to smile. It all comes together and affects the engagement with others and flavours our communication.

A SWOT is Not Something That I Would Admit to Being…..

Do you explore your strengths and weaknesses? If this is something that you are interested in doing a simple window of four boxes with strengths in left upper box 1, Weaknesses or Challenges in Right upper box 2, the left lower box you label Opportunities and the Right lower box 4 is labelled Threats.

I find these SWOT boxes easier to use if I narrow down what I am exploring. I might decide I will do a SWOT analysis on running a workshop for example.

Of course I would consider what the workshop topic might be!

Goal – Complementary Health and Therapies Workshop

SWOT

Once you have written and filled out your boxes you then explore your weaknesses or challenges and explore whether you can sort these out. You might create two circles to put them in. Circle 1 is can I control this and circle 2 is things I cannot control. I find it interesting that the elements that I have put in my threats box are mainly elements or factors that I cannot control but I might be able to influence some of it.

If you would like to explore using SWOT analysis to help with problem solving then why not sign up for a coaching session with me.