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As a student, I learned about a SWOT Analysis being used as an analytical tool to study a company’s challenges and compare them to potential competitors. SWOT Analysis stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The outcome from each component is useful in strategy. While used regularly for business, you can essentially apply these very four terms to analyze yourself. The idea of performing a SWOT Analysis can be quite daunting, but it can help you take a deeper look at yourself and potential opportunities for you in the future. The idea of measuring our inner strengths and weaknesses is done every time we prepare for a new job interview. Why not apply it to other aspects in life relationships, finances, family, spirituality, etc.?
Here are a four things to consider when completing your self-SWOT Analysis:
Dig Deep
They are both internal. This is where you are digging deep into your core to find your greatest assets, and things you would like to change. This isn’t an opportunity to examine your physical appearance. You will focus on your skills, resources, achievements, values, power team, negative habits, etc.
Be Honest with Yourself
When you are ready, truly ready, to conduct a self-SWOT then you must be ready to be honest with yourself. A SWOT Analysis is all about you versus someone or something else. Study your own habits, mindset and possible setbacks. When you are 100% honest with yourself, you will be surprised by the results.
“How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone.” – Coco Chanel
A World of Opportunities is out there, but You Have to Find Them
As you venture out possible opportunities in your self-SWOT, you must be open to those that will help you grow as a person. Remember, this analysis is focused on YOU! A few examples of different opportunities are: a cooking class, scheduling software to help manage your time, potential coaches, accountability partners or even an unconventional method you see working for someone else that could be beneficial to you. Opportunity awaits, but you have to open your mind and do the work to find them.
A Threat Is Only A Threat If You Allow It
Threats are external factors, therefore you have to look at any potential hazard that could hinder your success in life. I absolutely despised looking at potential threats, but it took me a while before realizing the beauty in them. When carefully studied and analyzed, threats can quickly turn into new opportunities with the right attitude. Look at them with a glass half fully approach. Write down any possible roadbloacks and how you can minimize them. What often appears as a threat is meant to steer us in a better direction.
Once you’ve assessed each area, create an action plan to eliminate any negativity and elevate the positive forces around you. Before you pull your hair out, remember why performing a self-SWOT can benefit your life. It will clear your focus, and allow you to note opportunities and enhance who you are as a person.