Want to Win Every Time? Play from Strength
By Sandy Schroeder
If you have ever played cards with a strong opponent, you know they will make the most of their aces. My father always smiled as he sorted his cards, and advised me to “lead with my aces.”
Learning how to use your own personal aces in life can make all of the difference, according to Harvard Health’s top researchers.
The aces each of us hold are really our own personal thoughts, actions, skills and feelings, the things that make us unique and strong. Yours may be grouped around words, or numbers, people or plants, hands-on coordination or mental feats.
How to Spot Yours
Look closely at what you love to do and you will probably spot your strengths. My father could do complicated math in his head. My mother grew florist quality flowers in her flowerbeds, and created feasts on her four-burner stove. I found my pleasure in words.
Each person is different, but when we put our strongest skills to work we have the best shot at winning.
Review your work and hobbies - You may find the sweet spots, where your heart lingers and you are happiest. Give some thought to pulling out the parts you like most and using them to the max.
Treat yourself to many scenes – You may have strengths that are just waiting to be developed. When you read widely and reach out to lots of new groups, you may discover some of those talents, just waiting for you to give them room to grow.
Always try new things – Sometimes a strength can spring up unexpectedly and grow if you let it. You may be a born chef who just likes to putter around the kitchen, or a skilled fashion designer who just enjoys putting fresh looks together.
Ask for input – Turn to a valued co-worker, or longtime friend and ask them for an evaluation of your strengths. Often they can tell you in a minute what you ought to be working on. They may have worked next to you on creative projects, or watched you shoot one award-winning photo after another on trips. Some things you may just take for granted may be core strengths that you could put to better use.
Whatever your strengths are you owe it to yourself to take the time, and make the effort, to pinpoint them. Then you can move them front and center and reap the benefits.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Antonio, Tex.