STRENGTHS FINDER-- identify and build on your strengths to have greater success in relationships & business!

One of our best friends, Alix Wilson, was just out West and was raving about this book and online test called StrengthsFinder by Tom Rath.  The basic premise was developed by Dr. Donald O. Clifton who believed that our society had it backwards by focusing on improving weaknesses rather than identifying and maximizing each individual's strengths.  In layman's terms, most of our neural pathways in the brain are formed by the age of 5 and building on what connections were formed by then is invigorating and success comes easily and quickly.  Trying to form new pathways (basically overcome "weaknesses") is like fighting an uphill battle.  It takes a lot more time and energy. Clifton believed that energy was better spent on focusing on what you're good at instead!  Based on Gallup interviews with over tens of million of people over 40 years, Clifton identified 34 strengths and came up with an assessment to help people "discover and describe these talents."  And now with StengthsFinder 2.0, applications and strategies for each strength are detailed as well as how to work with someone who has each strength.

We think this is a fantastic tool for getting to know yourself better as well as your partners in work and life!