Strength Based Mentoring

As you further your strengths development, it is wonderful to recognize how you hear and see strengths in others.  Whether those strengths are familiar to you (in your top 5) or you are learning about the other 29, I found this great chalkboard via Pinterest the awareness of a shining strength theme in other people demonstrates you are taking strengths to the next level. One way I encourage people to do this is by really listening to others.  Listening for words and phrases in conversations, particularly those that are passionate and intense.  I believe you see strengths rise to the top when a person is in "the zone" and feeling engaged and at their best. I've found a great way to practice this via social media!  If you utilize Pinterest or Facebook, you might find these exercises fun: Pinterest As quotes are displayed in graphics (whether famous authors or inventors, or something via Tumblr), I find it fun to look for the strengths in those words.  Positivity

Another great hat I wear in life is that of Aunt Ally.  Holiday gatherings are a favorite for me as we get to spend time with my nephews and niece (13 of them total).  Any time a group gathers, I try to encourage thinking creatively about how we celebrate strengths and see the good. Pinterest makes creativity easy, and I am sharing an idea found from the awesome website  30 Handmade Days .  Be sure to check it out for additional ideas for crafts and fun for your mentoring time.  This is a worksheet we completed at the kitchen table and we then placed it inside a decorated mason jar.  The jar will be collecting our "favorite moments of the year" throughout 2014 to keep us focused on the "best" and "silliest" parts of our weeks.  Next year, we will all bring our jars back and read about the great things that happened in 2014. I will be taking this worksheet and the idea of the jar to my mentee next week when school resumes.  I look forward to talking abo