Project Girl 2 Woman

The Ultimate Guide of Becoming More Aware of your Strengths and Weaknesses

What are your strengths and weaknesses? Let’s take a look at our strengths and weaknesses, especially in regards to our life goals. We can have life goals in the following areas:

If you have no life goal as of yet, check out our post on goal setting! Maybe you want to improve your relationships, learn a new language, advance your career or start your own business. Here is a great post on how Tim Ferris recommends you do goal setting as well.

Why You Need to know Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Becoming more aware of your Strengths and Weaknesses can be incredibly important for creating your best life. Not knowing your weaknesses can hold you back, while using your strengths can help you advance faster.

For example, in Goal Setting. If you know that you are really weak at making sales calls you might not be able to do 20 sales calls a day. Instead, you’ll have to think around it. Let’s say instead you have great people’s skills. Your strength. Why not get someone to help you with those 100 calls in exchange for something else? This way becoming more aware of your Strengths and Weaknesses can help you achieve your goals.

4 Steps to becoming more aware of your Strengths and Weaknesses

1. Self-Evaluation.

Figure out the skills, knowledge you will need to achieve your goals. Taking a look at your Limiting Beliefs and Prejudices can also help.

· What comes easy to you? What is difficult?

· What do you learn fast? And what takes a long time?

· When you’ve tried to achieve a goal in the past, what were your strengths and weaknesses?

· Examine your usual response patterns to certain situations.

· Consider past situations when you’ve tried to achieve your goals.

· How do you react in spontaneous situations?

Strenghts (easy)	Weaknesses (Difficult)

2. Find people to ask.

If you have low self-esteem, or you are super sure of yourself, you might judge yourself wrong. To get a reliable result get the feedback and opinion of other people. Once you have their replies compare them with your previous results and consolidate them.

When asking for feedback keep in mind:

1. Whether that person is a reliable and qualified source?

2. What that person’s point of view is.

3. Does that person have an agenda?

4. Do you trust that person?

3. Take part in Self-Assessments.

A tip I found on Lifehack.org is to do an assessment. Which I wouldn’t have thought about. Self-assessments are something we hardly ever do unless it’s for a job interview. This is a shame, since those results are the most objective, we can get.

Take part in personal assessments that show you your:

· Skills

· Personality Traits

· Talents

· Strengths and Weaknesses

4. Make a self-portrait.

Last but not least create a map of your strengths and weaknesses in a self-portrait. Take all of your results and combine them in a Map with you in the center. Some of those results might be uncomfortable. And some might explain why we behave in a certain way at times.

List of Strengths – Example Strengths

List of Weaknesses – Example Weaknesses

What to do with your results?

1. Reflect on your findings

How does this information help you better understand your unique talents?
How can you use this understanding to advance your goals?
How can you apply this knowledge?
What will you do differently tomorrow as a result of this analysis?

2. Identify your areas for growth

Where can you use your strengths to grow?
Which weaknesses do you have to improve on to achieve your goals?

Wrapping it up …

Finding out your strengths and learning to work around your weaknesses can greatly improve your self-confidence and likelihood of achieving your goals. Use our 4 Steps to discover your strengths and weakness and improve your self-awareness.

So that’s it for today. If you enjoyed the content, please register for our newsletter.

We update every Saturday/ Sunday. Also, for updates follow us on:

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Twitter: @girl2_woman

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Love from Germany,

Carina and Julia

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How to build strong relationships & Maintain them- When you aren’t good with people

Project Girl 2 Woman

build strong relationships / Communication

Relationships are an important factor in our lives. People come and people go. Some walk out when it’s difficult – some stay for a lifetime. Close relationships with our family and friends help us to talk about our insecurities and doubts. Help us to gain important advice. And give us the feeling of stability and security in our lives. Today’s topic is all about your relationships and how to make them stronger.

Types of Interpersonal relationships:

There are 4 types of Relationships:(lumen)

Friendships
Family
Romantic
Professional

10 Stages to build strong relationships:

How our relations progress over time can be explained by Knapp’s Relational Development Model. It will show us where we are with our current relationships. Explain why we react a certain way around the people close to us. As well as showing us the stages we already went through or are yet to face.

According to the Knapp’s Relational Development Model there are 10 stages on how our relationships develop:

Stages of Coming Together

1.Initiating:

The first stage is about making first Impressions. This could be checking out someone’s appearance or having a first glimpse at someone’s body language or way of speaking

2.Experimenting:

After Initiating is completed you start to exchange Information and have first conversations. Topics are mostly small talk, like asking about someone’s interests or workplace.

3. Intensifying:

Small talk is followed by deeper conversations. In stage 3, intensifying, it often comes to flirting, touching and creating nick or pet names. It is also easier to express your emotions to the other person.

4.Integrating:

During the next stage your hobbies or activities align with your friend or partner. You start to merge your friends circles, move in together or share secrets nobody else is meant to know. ( The Armchair Collective)

5.Bonding:

The last stage for coming together is the bonding stage. Here you and your friend or partner publicly show that you belong together. This could be by marrying or by always hanging around that one friend. For friendships,it is also common to wear similar or the same clothes. ( The Armchair Collective). Many relationships stay here or move on to the:

Stages of Coming Apart:

6.Differentiating:

During the 6th stage, you and your partner or friend have less and less similarities. You start acting less as one and more individually. You start to have different friends and interests than the other person.

7.Circumscribing:

After stage six is completed you will set individual spaces, the other person doesn’t interact with. You also start setting boundaries and it comes to more and more conflicts in the relationship.

8.Stagnating:

Even though you start having more conflicts with your friend or partner you still stay in the relationships due to “apathy, convenience or other lack of need to completely separate” (Changing Minds).

9.Avoiding:

During the 9th stage, you start to avoid eye contact or the other person in general

10.Termination:

The last stage is the end of the relationship. You both go different ways.

Exercise:

Think about your:

Partner
Friends
Family
Colleagues or classmates

In which stages are you? How do you interact with each other? With whom do you want to have or improve a relationship?

Also, think about your parents, grandparents or siblings – how is your relationship with them? Do you want to improve it?

Now I understand that this model does not fit every relationship. You do not get to know your parents or siblings, you grow up with them. But if you want to build friendships or a strong relationship with your partner, you can see in which stage you are.

Problems can often occur when we are stuck in one stage. For example, your friend is moving faster than you from one stage to another. He is able to open up to you about “deeper conversations’ ‘, while you are still trying to keep the conversations at a basic level. In return he might assume that you don’t trust him, because you aren’t sharing your problems with him.

This misunderstanding can be easily dissolved by being open with the other person. Not by saying more than you are comfortable with, but by setting boundaries openly. To build strong relationships takes time. Building trust takes time.

Characteristics you are in a good relationship:

Feeling comfortable
Feeling understood
Trust
Feeling respected
Honesty
Self-Disclosure
Interdependent
Irreplaceability

Check out the full post at lumen – interpersonal communication

Signs you are in a bad relationship:

Avoidance
Exhaustion
Being completely different
Being belittled, depreciated
Unable to forgive
Ghosting
Unable to trust

Exercise 2:

Analyzing the relationship you have with your family, friends or that one important person next door- are there any signs you have a good or bad relationship? Why do you think your relationship is good or bad?

If you want to improve your relationships you need to take a closer look at the characteristics. Is your friend avoiding you? Why? Is it because you grew apart or did you have a conflict? Can this conflict be solved? Or maybe you have a bad relationship with your parents due to past situations and the lack of trust?

4 Ways to build strong relationships:

Be open:

Open up and be comfortable around others. If you feel awkward around others, they will also feel awkward around you. Try to calm your nervosity and be aware of your body language. You may wonder why people react distant when you sit there with your arms crossed.

Listen:

Be there when people need someone who listens to them. Not only will it deepen their trust towards you but you can connect on a deep emotional level if you share the same problems. Make them feel understood and valid. Comfort them. Be there for them. And one day they will be there when you need someone to listen.

Self-Reflect:

Conflicts always come from two people. Stop blaming the counterpart for her/his behaviour. Instead rethink your argument and reflect on your own words: Did you say something that could offend him or her? Or make him feel insecure about himself? If yes, don’t be so stubborn and apologize. If not, then still have a conversation with that person. Forgiveness is a gift.

Start communicating

Did you know that many conflicts start by the lack of communication? At fault are assumptions and misunderstandings that can thorn your relationship apart. Easiest way to solve this issue: If an assumption pops into your head, be open and ask that person instead.

People who might look arrogant and barely talk with anyone can actually be shy and insecure.
People who look at you and simultaneously talk with someone else do not automatically gossip about you.

Be you

I know it is tempting to change yourself to fit in with others or to please your parents. But the truth is, those relationships are already set to fail. How long can you pretend to be someone else until you want nothing more than to be yourself?. Doing the things you like. Being proud of yourself. Following your own values. Relationships are fed with trust and honesty, this also includes you being authentic.

Small things you can do to build strong relationships:

Call your family or friends regularly or make plans to meet
Take time to listen to them
Open up when having problems (is not only good for relationships but also your mental health!)
Surprise them, Show that you think about them!
Never forget their birthdays >_>
Speak openly with the other person
Solve conflicts or avoid them if possible

Exercise 3:

Write down 3 things you can do immediately to improve your relationship with your parents, siblings, grandparents, friends etc.
Do those 3 things within the next 48 hours
Call them now and ask how they are!
How long has it been that you told them I love you? Do that now too!

Need a little inspiration? – Here are 100 People Call Someone I love you

(I see you! Don’t dare to avoid the last task ヾ( ･`⌓´･)ﾉﾞ)

Summary:

Types of Interpersonal Relationships:

- - Friendships
  - Family
  - Romantic
  - Professional

10 Stages to build strong relationships: -Knapp’s Relational Development Model

Stages of Coming Together

1. 1. Initiating:
  2. Experimenting:
  3. Intensifying:
  4. Integrating:
  5. Bonding:

Stages of Coming apart:

6. Differentiating:

7. Circumscribing:

8. Stagnating:

9. Avoiding:

10. Termination:

Characteristics you are in a good relationship:

Feeling comfortable
Feeling understood
Trust
Feeling respected
Honesty
Self-Disclosure
Interdependent
Irreplaceability

Signs you are in a bad relationship:

Avoidance
Exhaustion
Being completely different
Unable to forgive
Ghosting
Unable to trust
Being belittled, depreciated

5 Ways to build strong relationships:

Be open
Listen
Self-Reflect
Start communicating
Be you

Small things you can do to improve relationships:

Call your family or friends regularly or make plans to meet
Take time to listen to them
Open up when having problems (is not only good for relationships but also mental health!)
Surprise them, Show that you think about them!
Never forget their birthdays
Solve conflicts or avoid them if possible
Speak openly with the other person

So that’s it for today. If you enjoyed the content, please register for our newsletter.

We update every Saturday/ Sunday. Also, for updates follow us on:

Pinterest: projectgirl2woman

Instagram: projectgirl2woman

Twitter: @girl2_woman

Facebook: ProjectGirl2Woman

Love from Germany,

Carina and Julia

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How to find your Hidden Talents & Skills + Free List of Talent Ideas

Project Girl 2 Woman

Finding our Hidden Talents and Skills

Today’s topic makes me very excited. It’s about our hidden, or not so hidden, talents and the skills we’ve developed through time. You aren’t lacking. You are a gem. Let’s figure out our talents and skills today and explore some new ways to create our ideal life!

Definition: Talents

Talent is often described as an innate ability a person is born with.

Something that comes naturally. And while I believe we have certain affinities to tasks I am also a firm believer, that talents need to be nurtured. Even a protégé pianist can improve.

Since they come naturally to us, we are often unaware of them until someone points them out.

Definition: Skills

On the other hand, skills are abilities that we develop through experience, studying, and training. When our talents and our skills align, we can reach true mastery.

“Passion without talent is a hobby. Talent without passion is a job, Being passionate about your talent is a calling.” –RobertGlazer.com

Fodder for the Mind

Often people say something along the lines: “It’s easy for you, you have talent/ skill.”

Have you ever had someone tell you that? When someone tells me it’s just talent, I feel like my accomplishments have lost some worth.

Which is funny as a kid we are praised for our talents and as adults we are mostly praised for hard work.

Talent and skills usually come from experience. From failing, learning, and retrying.

Yes, we might have been better at drawing as a child.

We might have been more talented.

We got praise. We drew more. Our stick figures started looking better.

And finally, we drew. Now we have skill.

Don’t let people make you feel bad.

Think of talents as a toolbox we get as a child. Now it’s up to us to learn to use them to their full potential.

Instead of looking at other people’s toolboxes in envy, let’s work together and exchange tools.

If we don’t use our talents and skills, they wither like an uncared-for plant.

35 Types of Talents – A List of Talents / Skills

Here is a list of talents/ Skills you might have. Obviously, we can’t mention all the talents/skills in the world. What hidden talents do you have? Is it on the list? Share your special talent in the comments below.

1. Acting

2. Accounting

3. Baking

4. Calculation

5. Cooking

6. Communication

7. Creativity

8. Design

9. Emotional Intelligence

10.Empathy

11. Energy

12. Entertaining

13. Flexibility

14. Gardening

15. Hosting

16. Influencing

17. Language Learning

18. Listening

19. Negotiation

20. Networking

21. Programming

22. Photography

23. Presenting

24. Reading

25. Relaxing

26. Reliability

27. Resilience

28. Researching

29. Selling

30. Singing

31. Strategizing

32. Speaking

33. Visualization

34. Woodworking

35. Writing

How to find out your Hidden talents:

If you want to find out your talents, ask the following questions:

1. What comes naturally to me?

2. What did my parents praise me for as a kid?

3. What did my friends, teachers, and employers praise me for?

4. Whom could I ask about my talents?

5. When people ask me for help, what do they usually want?

6. What makes me special?

Exercise 1:

Write down your talents:

Write down the skills you have learned:

Exercise 2:

How can your talents and skills help you with your daily tasks? Can they make your life better?

How can you use those talents and skills to achieve your goals?

Which talents should you develop?

Whom of the people in your life have a talent/ skill that can be useful for achieving your goals?

Which talent / skills can you offer them for their help?

Which skills would you like to learn just for the hell of it?

Which skills can help you impress your boss?

So that’s it for today. If you enjoyed the content, please register for our newsletter.

We update every Saturday/ Sunday. Also, for updates follow us on:

Pinterest: projectgirl2woman

Instagram: projectgirl2woman

Twitter: @girl2_woman

Facebook: ProjectGirl2Woman

Love from Germany,

Carina and Julia

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