A few weeks ago, I touched on the book Strengths Based Leadership, written by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie, which is about finding your top strengths and using it as a guide to maximize your skills. Through their online tool called Strengthsfinder I came up with my list of top five strengths. Last week I shared my top strength: futuristic.
My second top strength is called ideation.
In other words, the creation of ideas--this one did not shock me either, when I read the test results.
I've always been a dreamer. Even as far back as elementary school, I've always dreamed of becoming wildly famous--whether it be as a rock star or as a number-one bestselling author. Ideas were always something that came to me, except during times when I was put on the spot (call it the introvert in me). Most of the time I either dismissed the idea as being stupid or it was odd that I knew it wouldn't work. As time wore on, I took to writing down the better ideas.
This strength of ideation--creation of ideas--can be a burden too, I've noticed, because sometime I get so caught up in the idea that I think it's wonderful . . . at first. Then, there are times when ideas can come to me and I have no way of writing them down. This last one happened just yesterday, in church, while listening to our pastor's sermon. An idea came to me--POW! Yes, it was partially inspired by the sermon, so there will be a religous slant to the story.
But during the sermon, as well as the rest of the service, the idea for the story tumbled around and around in my mind--I came up with three or four different titles, one of which I temporarily settled on as being the best--and here's the worst part: I had no way of writing it down! I did have my Droid smartphone in my pocket (set in silent mode) but I didn't want to look like an ass while I pulled it out and started typing away. Once I was at home, the first thing I did was grab a piece of paper and took as many notes as possible.
The strength of ideas has also helped me in shaping what I'll be doing in the future--linking the first two strengths of futuristic and ideation. I'm currently nearing the end of editing a thriller, and already I'm forming in my mind what I'll be working on next. I have four major projects (most can work well with the others) planned once it's completed, which I'm hoping will be by around Halloween.
Do ideas come easily to you?
In what way do you cope with this, and if you feel it's a strength of yours, what are you doing to enhance this strength?
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