Strong Suits

Turn up the chic by dressing up and wearing your strengths.

How many times have you heard “be strong”? If you could have a dollar every time someone said that or “you can do it” you’d be rich, right?

What does it really mean?

Here are two definitions:

1. An asset of special worth or utility; "cooking is her forte"

2. A quality, activity, or skill in which a person excels

Do you know what your strong suits are? This weekend I was reading one of my favorite fashion magazines. As I flipped the page to check out summer’s sizzling swimwear. The following quote caught my eye.

“Rachel is a coward who operates out of fear, and I can’t relate to that. What I can relate to is the fact that she is a people-pleaser seeking to avoid confrontation.”

The quote resonated with me and I recall moments in my life where I suffered from fear based thinking and didn’t have the courage to believe in myself and lived in mediocrity. I was so focused on my weaknesses, I had no idea how to amplify my strengths (perhaps I didn’t even know what they were) but now I understand the value in putting them out there and being proud.

How did I tap into my strong suits?

It started with taking responsibility for everything that I’ve ever done (the good, the bad and the ultra ugly). I took what was working and made a goal to take it to the next level. I stopped beating myself up about what I didn’t like about myself and what I deemed to be “the weak me”. I also started to wear acceptance morning, noon and night!

If you’re so busy focusing on what’s wrong, you can’t develop what’s right. The whole idea is to play up your strengths. There are things that you are just good at, no matter what and when you stand behind it and work to enhance it, you will always render results.

Brains & Beauty go hand in hand; I have an exercise for you. Write out your strengths, your forte, your talents and everything you’re great at! Be honest with yourself. You know what’s amazing about you. You may not always give yourself the credit but you know deep down inside what you can do. If you need a clue, think about all of the things that people compliment you on. At times it feels effortless. Great, because that’s a good sign it’s a strong suit!

Now commit to taking your strengths to the next level. People that are successful are successful because they put their strong suits to work. They didn’t focus on their weaknesses. Do the exercise!

Something to ponder…

You are stronger than you think you are. See yourself as strong and victorious. Don’t complain about what you don’t like about yourself. Embody strength. Never underestimate your abilities. You’re capable of a lot more when wearing your strong suits.

If you’re not wearing your strong suits, put them on right now!