When someone is looking to grow or make a change, I often suggest they start with strengths.

You can use a tool like StrengthsFinder/CliftonStrengths just be sure that the assessment doesn’t speak for you. Instead make it your own. Validate, dispute, and add to your results.

This Define-Apply-Grow Worksheet is valuable, putting StrengthsFinder results in your own words and build specific action or goals.

List your Top 5 results.

DEFINE them. Put the theme in your own words. Give real world examples of how you’ve seen it show up.

Next consider how you can APPLY each theme. Where is it within reach to try out right now? Not about growing or expanding it but simply where in your current work, practice, life, can you put it into reality? Think of this like gluing it on the page of your life or paper clipping it to another activity you already do.

Lastly start to clarify how you can GROW each theme. What can you do to take it from Raw to Mature? What can you practice outside of your current scope of work? What new habits can you develop? Is there any knowledge you need to use this theme more?

I usually recommend people work down the page. DEFINE each of your themes. Then move to APPLY, then to GROW. Often there are substantial theme dynamics at play and so two or three themes might have overlap.

Do not feel the pressure to get something written in each box on the worksheet. What is important is to get 1 or two goals out of this and then treat it as a working document. Come back to it and go through it again at some point. Momentum and action is the goal, not filling in all the gaps!

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You can download the worksheet HERE

It can be helpful to do this process with a coach…a supporter, question asker, ally who helps you clarify. Carnival Group has coaches trained and ready to help with this. Reach out and we’d love to chat.