Imagine two different scenarios for your workday:
Scenario 1: You wake up each day dreading to go to work. The type of work you do feels uninspiring, and the frustration spills over into other areas of your life. You’re not even sure if you’re great at your job, but it’s what you’ve always done. You find yourself constantly asking, Is this all there is?
Scenario 2: Now, imagine waking up excited for the day ahead. You approach your work with enthusiasm and energy. Your job challenges you, helps you grow, and makes you feel accomplished. You experience a sense of fulfillment, and maybe even joy, as you tackle each task.
If you’ve ever related to the first scenario, you might wonder—Why not aim for Scenario 2? It’s not just a dream; it’s entirely possible. And I know this because I lived through Scenario 1. Everything was fine on paper—I had a good job, liked my coworkers, and even found some meaning in my work. Yet, there was still this nagging feeling: Is this it?
Something was missing, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. I knew who I was and what I brought to the table, but I hadn’t fully tapped into my core strengths.
Finding My Strengths Through Behavioral Profiling
When I explored my behavioral profile, everything clicked. Diving into my strengths gave me the clarity I had been searching for. The PDA (Personal Development Analysis) revealed that I was a “Creative Generalist” and “Concrete Generalist”—terms I hadn’t even heard of before.
Here’s what I learned:
A Creative Generalist is someone who is concrete, direct, and determined. They focus on the bigger picture and make decisive choices based on available data, rather than getting lost in the details.
A Concrete Generalist is dynamic, communicative, and adapts quickly to changing tasks. They thrive on improving processes and results, and they’re great at juggling multiple tasks.
These definitions were eye-opening for me. I realized that in the roles where I had been most successful—like the one where I won an award for implementing transformative changes—I was empowered to use these natural strengths. Conversely, in roles where I felt stifled or underwhelmed, I wasn’t aligned with what made me thrive.
Understanding the Power of a Creative Generalist
Intrigued, I dug deeper into the concept of a Creative Generalist. It turns out there’s a whole world of opportunity for people like me—people with diverse skills and passions who approach problems from multiple angles.
As Coach Murielle Marie puts it, “A creative generalist is someone who has diverse skills, interests, and knowledge. They are curious, multi-disciplinary thinkers who can explore many different avenues for approaching a challenge. Creative generalists are innovative because they connect seemingly unrelated ideas and pull from a wide variety of life and career experiences.”
When I read this, it felt like someone had written my professional bio. It validated everything I knew about myself but hadn’t fully embraced. I realized that I wasn’t just good at connecting different pieces of information; this was my strength. It’s how I thrive, and it’s how I should shape my career—on my terms.
Helping You Leverage Your Strengths
While this is my journey, it’s also an invitation for you to explore yours. If you find yourself feeling out of alignment with your work, you’re not alone. You might be stuck in Scenario 1, but there’s a way forward.
I want to help you discover your core strengths and align your life with them. Through coaching and tools like the PDA HR Technology, we can explore your behavioral profile and uncover the roles that best suit your natural abilities.
Let’s find your path together—and make sure you’re running toward the life and career that truly fulfills you.
Always in Motion,
Lauren Hoffman
With the Current Solutions
Lauren is an HR, Leadership, and Performance Coach helping others hit their goals, reach their potential, discover their talents, and navigate waves with ease.
Comments