[beauflow]

Homing in on your strengths and Skills.....

I know this may be a simple question for some, however-- I seem to have an awful time with this.

If I am in a good mood about myself, I can pick out some goodness that I do... Like today I don't feel to awful so here are some:
I like to learn things (then i think well not so much with computers, I had little to no interest in that while I had a chance to learn for free that but then it also could had been the person I was with, as well as cars-- Over all I did learn some things but not enough to go forth in that all), I can be a trouble shooter/problem solver, I like helping out where Help is needed (but I have found I don't appreciate to be 'used' or feel like being 'used' as many others surely could agree I think);

What others say about me:
Nice, Friendly, easy to talk to/talkative, communication strengths with having everyone in the loop, being rather meticulous in what I do, following procedures/"A go by the book person", helpful.

My S/O does say more so these days- that perhaps with how much I do talk about psychology (Sorry all I do talk about PC and what others say and trying to find coping skills and better ways ya know; and what I read and watch and all)-- but my simple interests and thoughts on the human brain, he is more encouraging these days with perhaps psychology...

I still as usual with everything I do or want to do-- am on the fence..
Some co-workers I have spoken to that know me a little, say that would be good too--

I like to do crafts and hobbies.. I like art.. My oldest sister used to tell me I would be great for a teacher due to how I talk to kids (meaning I talk to them like they are just little adults and can explain things simplistically i suppose and step by step; for instants I was helping my nephew one time when he was like 8 or 9 with his math homework, and she said that, that was the first time that he sat down with someone for that long and finished his home work--- he had a little ADD, so it is hard for him to sit down some times with stuff-- IDK if i some how made it interesting or what or if he just wanted to spend time with me and I was like math! )

IDK-- I am sure that I could make a list...

I was reading a few articles and it was mentioning to pick out what is the 'best'..... I some times think Problem solving and taking action where it is needed.

I still, though, have issues of where that fits in, in this world.... Supposedly my job right now 'likes that type' but lets face it-- the actual job may like it but the higher people directly above me don't.

I can pick out a lot weakness' too--- I can get baffeled with my words and thoughts when stressed or anxiety--- thus not as problem solver as I say at times right?

I tend to like solitude work but I can work well with others as well... I am usually the moral group with that-- joking as we work, ya know the type maybe?? but it does take time for me to "joke around" with some aka I can be 'quiet shy' in real life--

I know I was looking at some books too on this subject.....

I do have one question though for those in therapy-- does any of your therapists help with this sort of stuff??
I have to wonder if broken home up bringing and PTSD helps with blocking me with 'understanding what this all means'... I am trying to unblock it however, as best as I can...

I am a fast typer too--- usually accurate-- I am a bad speller though usually.. well some days I am really bad, other days I am ok...

guess if any one has any suggest-- Open ears here to read

[lizardlady]

Beauflow, one of my co-workers did a training on swolution based therapy a couple of weeks ago. Solution based therapy is based on the person's strengths. The resources she gave us are in my office at work. I'll post some of them for you when I can get the stuff. Meanwhile how about googling "solution based therapy" for some ideas?

Some therapists work on strength based stuff and others don't, depends on their professional leanings and preferences. As for coming from a broken home and having PTSD, yep those could contribute to not seeing strengths in yourself.

[beauflow]

((Thanks Lizard Lady))

Solution Based Therapy.. I may come up with some more helpful things than "how to find your strengths" so much comes up with that from Google searches, it (for me) is a little overwhelming.....

[beauflow]

http://www.goodtherapy.org/Solution_...d_Therapy.html

Is this some what what you mention Lizard Lady?

Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) targets the desired outcome of therapy as a solution rather than focusing on the symptoms or issues that brought someone to therapy. This technique only gives attention to the present and the future desires of the client, rather than focusing on the past experiences. The therapist encourages the client to imagine their future as they want it to be and then the therapist and client collaborate on a series of steps to achieve that goal. This form of therapy involves reviewing and dissecting the client’s vision, and determining what skills, resources, and abilities the client will develop and use to attain his desired outcome. Solution Focused Therapy was Developed by Steve De Shazer, Insoo Kim Berg, and their team at the Brief Family Therapy Family Center in Milwaukee, USA.

hmmm.. but i have a terrible time-- with future stuff...

where will I be in 5 years, who knows... i never thought i would make it this far..

I know-- that thought pattern needs to altered some how...
I now more worry about being in my 60's and the same issues,.... or have gotten worse...

hmm..

[CloudyDay99]

This is a great question. I find it really hard to come up with any strengths some days.

[beauflow]

i have that trouble too some days CloudyDay99 ; I seem to have more difficulty with after "discovering" strengths on how to apply them.. which is a big dislike for me, due to friends back in hs, i used to tell them what they could do, and I can't seem to do it for myself or at least when thinking about it at least.. some times I do note, that they are used with out the thinking on how to use them .. if that makes any sense.. but even then, some days that goes by with out being noted....

Perhaps a little self esteem has some part to do with this all?
I think for me, that connects with the days of not being able to "discover" strengths...

I want to be able to use this to "fit into a job right for me" -- that is a big thing.. due to a job i spend 8 hours a day at for 5 days of my week.. and at my current time-- i think the job is part of my issues or lacking on growing from already pre-existing issues.