I like to think...

I recently completed the Clifton Strengths Finder assessment. And it was eye-opening for me!

Over the next few weeks, I'll dive deep into the five primary themes identified in this assessment.

Just a note: I am not affiliated with or promoting this assessment tool. I'm just looking at my results.

The final assessment report gives the "five most dominant themes of talent, in rank order." Out of a total of 34 themes that are identified and assessed, these are my top five.

Intellection

You like to think. You like mental activity. You like exercising your brain muscles, stretching them in multiple directions.

That's the first three sentences in my summary. My first reaction was

Yep, that's me!

I don't sit still much. Not in the physical sense, but in that I'm rarely without a book, a game, a puzzle, or a project. And if I am, I think through ideas or problems to find a solution.

Meditation and "clearing my mind" has always been difficult for me. So rather than feel bad about not being able to meditate for clarity, I've decided that engaging in an activity that provides me with a repetitive pattern is the way to go. I find that relaxing and allows me to think of other things. So I end up doing logic puzzles or knitting or crocheting. Some of my best ideas come at this time!

This need for mental activity may be focused; for example, you may be trying to solve a problem or develop an idea or understand another person's feelings. The exact focus will depend on your other strengths.

I have always called myself a planner. As a young woman and mother, this looked more like excessive worrying and figuring out what I would do next based on my choices.

Now, I regularly try to figure out my options, imagine how I might react or what I say in certain situations, or even plan a conversation with someone before seeing them. I'll do the research needed to know to have a sense of what steps I might need to take.

You are the kind of person who enjoys your time alone because it is your time for musing and reflection. You are introspective. In a sense, you are your own best companion as you pose yourself questions and try out answers on yourself to see how they sound. This introspection may lead you to a slight sense of discontent as you compare what you are actually doing with all the thoughts and ideas that your mind conceives.

That last sentence hit it on the head. Some people are surprised that I am an introvert. I need time to myself. I love talking to people, working with people or socializing, and even public speaking. But I need to recharge after that.

And usually, when I am alone, whether working or relaxing, my hands or ears are engaged in something else. I work with the radio or TV on. I'll knit while listening to others or in a meeting. I work out logic puzzles while watching a movie. I've recently started listening to podcasts while on the treadmill. Without this, I feel unfocused and distracted but other things around me. And if I feel like I'm not as far as I should be in a task or doing as well as I should, I am frustrated. Rather than giving up, I'll keep looking for another way to accomplish my goals.

Wherever it leads you, this mental hum is one of the constants of your life.

I am always skeptical of these types of assessments. I don't like being dumped into a category. I mean, how can they really know me? I'm not a fan of generalizations. But some brilliant people developed this assessment, and I must admit it feels pretty accurate.

I feel there is so much more to say, but I'll start getting into the other themes. I'll save those for the next post. It will give me time to think about them more.

Have you taken the Clifton Strengths Finder assessment? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

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