Don't Just Feel Better, Be Better!
Jul 31, 2020Looking for a summer read, I came across Strengthsfinders by Tom Rath, a book I read more than 10 years ago. It was written with the goal to start conversations about ‘what’s right with people.’
This feels more relevant today given how much we are constantly barraged with negative news and lack of civility when everything is in dramatic upheaval.
Strengthsfinders was a best-seller because it helped millions uncover their talents. The premise was that focusing on what we are good at has much better results than focusing on what we are missing. One quote, ‘studies indicate that people who have the opportunity to focus on their strengths everyday are six times as likely to be engaged in their jobs and more than three times as likely to report having an excellent quality of life.’
There are many ways to describe being, performing or living better. We talk about 'virtues' while others call it personal development (estimated a $US13.2b industry by 2022). Education uses a lens of character while business talks social innovation or conscious capitalism.
No matter what you call it, the movement of being our best is growing. It's still evolving. One example mentioned in Stregnthfinders is how schools often emphasize bringing up students' lowest grade instead of investing more in areas where they have potential for greatness.
We have an opportunity - maybe even an obligation - to cultivate attributes of positivity or inspiration. It's more important now than ever.
That is why in September 2020, we will be launching a Share the L.O.V.E. Language of Virtues Everyday campaign. It’s as simple as sharing a Virtues Card and acknowledging a person, organization, or cause for the good you see in them. We'll be in touch with more info as it unfolds.
There is good everywhere. And there are hundreds of tools, classes and programs that help us be even better. Our team has been compiling a list of leaders driving positivity or uplifting others and here are a few we’ve enjoyed.
Podcast
Blog
Email Newsletters
This is a time for pause and a reset. Reflect where we are going but more importantly who we want to be. This is the time we can and need to be our best.
We can do this. Let’s make it a priority.
Dave (& Dara)
PS - for those who read this far, our top 5 Strengths were:
- Dave (Futuristic, Significance, Activator, Includer, Woo)
- Dara (Input, Strategic, Connectedness, Learner, Intellection)
