Two Minutes Du Jour

The essence of advice on habits often boils down to one fundamental action: starting. Taking that initial step forward is more crucial than waiting for the perfect moment or attempting a giant leap, even if it’s a small one. As Lao Tzu wisely said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Leah Spielman’s insightful post recently encouraged us to reflect on our strengths and pinpoint our unique superpowers that add value. This got me thinking about one of my strengths: the ability to initiate. This trait has been evident in ventures like Two Minutes Du Jour, where a fleeting idea turned into a consistent effort, now marked by our 101st post.

Identified through the Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment, my strength as an Activator shines. Activators are catalysts who turn ideas into action. They possess contagious energy that propels momentum forward. According to Matt Swenson, author of the insightful book Raw & Refined Strengths, Activators are crucial collaborators for achievers, strategists, analysts, and those with WOO (Winning Others Over) strengths. This collaboration ensures that the actions initiated progress effectively toward the desired outcomes.

In Swenson’s framework, if Activators start things, Achievers are the ones who finish them. Achievers, driven by an innate desire to accomplish daily goals, are relentless pace-setters focused on task completion. Their constant push for results stems from a persistent drive to make meaningful contributions.

Swenson shows how strengths play in their raw and refined states:

• Achiever Raw: “I must always keep busy, doing anything.”
• Achiever Refined: “My efforts are focused on producing valuable results for everyone involved.”

• Activator Raw: “I have an indiscriminate need for action.”
• Activator Refined: “I intentionally catalyze action, leveraging my momentum to translate ideas into beneficial outcomes.”

Understanding and leveraging strengths effectively aligns with developing habits that see projects through to completion. This insight supports Two Minutes Du Jour, where exploration leads to discovery and growth – even two minutes is a good place to start.

Two Links Du Jour:

Developing the Habit of Seeing Things Through – How to Become a Finisher – Warrior Habits

Raw & Refined Strengths, A StrengthsFinder® Practice Guide For Activating Your Inherent Talents & Wellbeing by Matt Swenson