The key to succeeding in various situations, personal or professional is to identify your strengths and ensure they fit the situation or task you are undertaking. Focus on what you are good at rather than of what you are capable. Then you will be more engaged in the task and able to perform at a higher level.
Your strengths are bases for your success in life. However, your success isn’t found in your similarity to others, but in how you are different. Instead of comparing yourself with others and competing with them, try to discover your point of God-given difference, for that’s where you will excel. Singer Pearl Bailey said, “There are two kinds of talent, man-made, and God-given talent. With man-made talent you have to work very hard. With God-given talent, you just touch it up once in a while.” The Apostle Paul writes in the Bible that “God has given each of us different gifts.”
What I have learned in life is that dreams don’t come true because you do something well every once in a while. They are fulfilled because you perform with excellence each day you wake up. Of course, it only happens when you work within an area of your strength. None of us can achieve success without consistency, and you can’t achieve consistency working outside your God given strengths. It will take all the talent you have to achieve your dreams.
Remember that strength-based goals are focused on positive thinking when you rely on God given strength which is created to cater to your natural talents while still challenging you to use those talents in new ways. You should set goals based on your talent. To do otherwise, maybe a recipe for not being successful.
Finally, rely on God for guidance in whatever you dream to do in life. And you can be assured that your chances of being successful will increase as you journey through life’s ups and downs. My advice is that you should always keep your eyes on the prize, and you will achieve your dream. Maya Angelou said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Know your strength and Never Give Up! Never Give Up! Never Give Up!

By Dr. Walter Ghosten
chaplain@lhp.net