elearning Journal
Welcome to! This journal will be an important part of your Strengths journey. It will allow you to record your thoughts, ideas, and action items for each chapter of the journey and beyond as you continue to lead a Strong Life. INTRODUCTION Welcome to!
Chapter 1: Stepping into a Strong Life You ve just watched So, What s Stopping You? What do you think? What s your initial reaction? Record your thoughts below. Where I Am Today: CHAPTER 1 Stepping into a Strong Life 1 Stepping into a Strong Life Chapter 1 elearning Journal
Activity How I Felt Strong Weak CHAPTER 1 Stepping into a Strong Life 2 Stepping into a Strong Life Chapter 1 elearning Journal
When you do not spend most of the day doing things you like to do, WHAT IS THE COST TO: You? The people around you? Your organization? CHAPTER 1 Stepping into a Strong Life When you spend the majority of your day doing things you really like to do, WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO: You? The people around you? Your organization? 3 Stepping into a Strong Life Chapter 1 elearning Journal
INTERVIEW 1: Person: Role: 1. What are the activities that you love to do and are good at? 2. What percentage of your time do you spend on these activities that you love? 3. What measures do you take to spend as much time as you can doing activities that strengthen you? CHAPTER 1 Stepping into a Strong Life 4. What activities don t you like? (Remember, people can be good at these activities, but simply not like them.) 5. How do you deal with activities that you don t like to do? 6. What advice would you give to someone trying to spend most of their time doing things they really love to do? 4 Stepping into a Strong Life Chapter 1 elearning Journal
INTERVIEW 2: Person: Role: 1. What are the activities that you love to do and are good at? 2. What percentage of your time do you spend on these activities that you love? 3. What measures do you take to spend as much time as you can doing activities that strengthen you? CHAPTER 1 Stepping into a Strong Life 4. What activities don t you like? (Remember, people can be good at these activities, but simply not like them.) 5. How do you deal with activities that you don t like to do? 6. What advice would you give to someone trying to spend most of their time doing things they really love to do? 5 Stepping into a Strong Life Chapter 1 elearning Journal
Reflection Moment: What were the two most useful tips you learned as a result of these interviews? Reflection Moment: What were the most important things you learned from your connection with your Strength partner? CHAPTER 1 Stepping into a Strong Life 6 Stepping into a Strong Life Chapter 1 elearning Journal
Chapter 2: Love It, Loathe It You ve just watched Do You Know What Your Strengths Are? What do you think? What s your first reaction? Record your thoughts below. What themes do you see in what you loved? Record your thoughts below. CHAPTER 2 Love It, Loathe It What themes do you see in what you loathed? Record your thoughts below. 7 Love It, Loathe It Chapter 2 elearning Journal
The three activities I loved the most this week: 1. I felt at my strongest when I Strengths Test Score: 2. I felt at my strongest when I Strengths Test Score: 3. I felt at my strongest when I Strengths Test Score: CHAPTER 2 Love It, Loathe It Strength 1: What specifically about this activity makes you feel strong? Why does this activity make you feel strong? How do your surroundings affect how you feel about this activity? 8 Love It, Loathe It Chapter 2 elearning Journal
Strength 2: What specifically about this activity makes you feel strong? Why does this activity make you feel strong? How do your surroundings affect how you feel about this activity? Strength 3: What specifically about this activity makes you feel strong? CHAPTER 2 Love It, Loathe It Why does this activity make you feel strong? How do your surroundings affect how you feel about this activity? 9 Love It, Loathe It Chapter 2 elearning Journal
It s time to claim your Strengths! Look at your three dominant Strengths. Change It From This: (Past) To This: (Present) CHAPTER 2 Love It, Loathe It 10 Love It, Loathe It Chapter 2 elearning Journal
Reflection Moment: How do you feel after writing out your Strengths? Reflection Moment: How would it feel to increase the amount of time you spend doing these activities? CHAPTER 2 Love It, Loathe It 11 Love It, Loathe It Chapter 2 elearning Journal
The three activities I loathed the most this week: 1. I felt at my weakest when I Weakness Test Score: 2. I felt at my weakest when I Weakness Test Score: 3. I felt at my weakest when I Weakness Test Score: CHAPTER 2 Love It, Loathe It Weakness 1: What specifically about this activity makes you feel weak? Why does this activity make you feel weak? How do your surroundings affect how you feel about this activity? 12 Love It, Loathe It Chapter 2 elearning Journal
Weakness 2: What specifically about this activity makes you feel weak? Why does this activity make you feel weak? How do your surroundings affect how you feel about this activity? Weakness 3: CHAPTER 2 Love It, Loathe It What specifically about this activity makes you feel weak? Why does this activity make you feel weak? How do your surroundings affect how you feel about this activity? 13 Love It, Loathe It Chapter 2 elearning Journal
It s time to claim your Weaknesses! Look at your three dominant Weaknesses. Change It From This: (Past) To This: (Present) CHAPTER 2 Love It, Loathe It 14 Love It, Loathe It Chapter 2 elearning Journal
Reflection Moment: How does your body feel after writing out your Weaknesses? Reflection Moment: How would it feel to decrease the amount of time you spend doing these activities? CHAPTER 2 Love It, Loathe It 15 Love It, Loathe It Chapter 2 elearning Journal
Chapter 3: How Can You Make the Most of Them You ve just watched How Can You Make the Most of Them? What do you think? What s your first reaction? Record your thoughts below. What s in Your World of Work? CHAPTER 3 How Can You Make the Most of Them? 16 How Can You Make the Most of Them? Chapter 3 elearning Journal
FREE Interview Strength 1: I feel strong when FOCUS on this Strength: 1. When do you get to use this Strength at work? 2. How often do you get to use this Strength at work? 3. When has this Strength proved really helpful to you on the job? 4. What feedback, if any, have you received about this Strength? RELEASE Use your Strengths more to do your job better. 5. What new situations can you put yourself in to use this Strength more? 6. Can you change your work schedule (shift) to put yourself into these situations? Do you need to talk to anyone to make this happen? Who? 7. What new systems or techniques can you try to really accelerate this Strength? 8. How can you measure how much you use this Strength? CHAPTER 3 How Can You Make the Most of Them? 17 How Can You Make the Most of Them? Chapter 3 elearning Journal
9. Are you struggling with any of your current job responsibilities? Which ones? How can you use this Strength to help you overcome this? EDUCATE Learn the skills and knowledge you need to build this Strength. 10. What new skills can you learn to leverage this Strength? 11. What actions can you take to learn these skills? 12. Who can you job-shadow at work? 13. Who can you talk to about how to use this Strength more effectively a friend, teacher, manager, or mentor? EXPAND Increase your contribution at work using this Strength. 14. How can you share your best practices for this Strength with others? When can you do this? 15. How can you expand your role to make better use of your Strengths? CHAPTER 3 How Can You Make the Most of Them? 18 How Can You Make the Most of Them? Chapter 3 elearning Journal
Strong Week Plan 1. Last Week s Strengthometer What percentage of last week did you spend doing things you really liked to do? 2. This Week s Strengthometer What percentage of this week did you spend doing things that you really like to do? 3. FREE Strengths What actions will you take this week to FREE your Strengths? CHAPTER 3 How Can You Make the Most of Them? 19 How Can You Make the Most of Them? Chapter 3 elearning Journal
Chapter 4: How Do You Cut Out Your Weaknesses? You ve just watched How Do You Cut Out Your Weaknesses? What do you think? What s your first reaction? Record your thoughts below. STOP Interview Weakness 1: I feel weak when STOP doing this activity. 1. Is this activity/weakness critical to your success on your job? If yes, go to question 3. How Do You Cut Out Your Weaknesses? 2. Is there a way you could just STOP doing it? If yes, go to question 4. CHAPTER 4 3. If you can t STOP doing the activity, how can you reduce the amount of time you spend on it? 4. Who would you need to talk to, if anyone, to make this happen? 20 How Do You Cut Out Your Weaknesses? Chapter 4 elearning Journal
TEAM UP with others to minimize this activity. 5. Who do you work with who really likes to do this activity? 6. How can you arrange to swap activities? (You do what that person doesn t like and vice versa.) 7. Who could teach you a trick or technique for doing this activity more quickly or efficiently? 8. How can you make this activity more fun to do? (Is there somebody fun you can do this activity with? Can you make a game out of this activity?) How Do You Cut Out Your Weaknesses? OFFER UP a Strength to minimize this activity. 9. Which of your Strengths can you use to get this activity done more easily? CHAPTER 4 10. How can you gradually carve a new role for yourself by regularly volunteering your Strengths? 21 How Do You Cut Out Your Weaknesses? Chapter 4 elearning Journal
PERSPECTIVE Shift your perspective and look at this activity through a different lens. 11. How can you shift your perspective on the way you do the activity? 12. Would it be helpful to do this activity at a different time of day? 13. How can you look at this activity through the lens of one of your Strengths? 14. How will doing this activity support you in maximizing your Strengths? (Example: organizing my desk so I can find customer files more quickly.) How Do You Cut Out Your Weaknesses? 15. What connection, if any, can you make between this activity and something that interests you or is really important to you? CHAPTER 4 22 How Do You Cut Out Your Weaknesses? Chapter 4 elearning Journal
Strong Week Plan 1. Last Week s Strengthometer What percentage of last week did you spend doing things you really liked to do? 2. This Week s Strengthometer What percentage of this week did you spend doing things that you really like to do? How Do You Cut Out Your Weaknesses? CHAPTER 4 3. FREE Strengths What actions will you take this week to FREE your Strengths? 23 How Do You Cut Out Your Weaknesses? Chapter 4 elearning Journal
4. STOP Weaknesses What actions will you take this week to STOP your Weaknesses from getting in the way? How Do You Cut Out Your Weaknesses? CHAPTER 4 24 How Do You Cut Out Your Weaknesses? Chapter 4 elearning Journal
Chapter 5: Why Is It So Hard to Talk About This? You ve just watched Why Is It So Hard to Talk About This? What do you think? What s your first reaction? Record your thoughts below. Who s Orbiting in Your World of Work? Why Is It So Hard to Talk About This? ME CHAPTER 5 25 Why Is It So Hard to Talk About This? Chapter 5 elearning Journal
My Last Strong Conversation: When was it? Who was it with? What was it about? How did you feel? Why Is It So Hard to Talk About This? What came out of it? CHAPTER 5 26 Why Is It So Hard to Talk About This? Chapter 5 elearning Journal
Reflection Moment: What would you have to give up to have more strong conversations like the one you just described in your journal? Would it be a fear of rejection? Or a fear of being judged? Are you ready to do that? If not, what s stopping you? What would be in it for you to have more strong conversations? Why Is It So Hard to Talk About This? CHAPTER 5 27 Why Is It So Hard to Talk About This? Chapter 5 elearning Journal
Teammate Strong Conversation Tips If you are the person starting the strong conversation This isn t about letting people know how great you are at this or that activity. It s about your contribution and how you can offer up your Strengths to help others. Your main objective is to share your Strengths and Weaknesses and also ask about your teammate s! This is a conversation where both people can learn a lot. Write down any information/tips that this person shares with you. Your teammate will probably have questions and comments. Have a chat about this and see where the conversation takes you. FREEING STRENGTHS Things to Share: If you are the person listening Remember, it takes courage for people to share about themselves. Be patient, and listen to what your teammate has to say. Offer encouragement when people start sharing and offer feedback at appropriate intervals (or when asked). Think about ways that you could partner together to maximize each other s Strengths. When the conversation finishes, thank your teammate for sharing with you. Hi! I ve been doing this program for the past few weeks and I ve been learning a lot about what I like and what I don t like to do Tell your teammate the big three Strengths that you discovered. Tell your teammate the one Strength that you focused on FREEing in the past couple of weeks. Let your teammate know that you are sharing this because it s an activity you really like to do. If your Strength can be helpful to your teammate, offer up your Strength. Find out whether this is an activity that strengthens your teammate: Is this something you are good at? If YES, ask: What have you been doing to maximize this Strength? Are there any new situations you have put yourself into to grow this Strength? Are there any people you would recommend that I speak to about developing this Strength? Why Is It So Hard to Talk About This? CHAPTER 5 If NO, ask: Is there any way I can use this Strength to help you? 28 Why Is It So Hard to Talk About This? Chapter 5 elearning Journal
Next Find out about the Strength your teammate has been focusing on. Could you help maximize it? Give him or her a chance to share with you. For example: What about you? What are your big three, and which ones have you been focusing on FREEing? STOPPING WEAKNESSES Things to Share: I ve also discovered a couple of activities that don t really fit me Tell your teammate about the dreaded three Weaknesses that you discovered. Tell your teammate the one Weakness that you have been focused on STOPping in the past couple of weeks. Let your teammate know that you are sharing this because it s an activity that you really dislike doing, and you could really use his or her help. Find out whether this is an activity that weakens him or her: Is this an activity that weakens you? If YES, ask: What have you been doing to minimize this Weakness? Is there anything you ve learned that you think could help me? Is there anyone you know who s good at this? If NO, ask: Is this something you are good at? Is this a task that I could team up with you on to get it done more efficiently? Is there any trick/technique that you could teach me that might help me manage this Weakness better? Next It s your teammate s turn. Find out a bit about the Weakness they have been working on. Can you help them STOP it? For example: What about you? What are your dreaded three Weaknesses? Which one have you been focusing on STOPping? Why Is It So Hard to Talk About This? CHAPTER 5 29 Why Is It So Hard to Talk About This? Chapter 5 elearning Journal
Reflection Moment: How did the conversation feel? Was it FREEing, awkward, or interesting? What did you learn? Did you get more ideas on how to FREE a Strength, STOP a Weakness, or did you learn about additional resources you hadn t thought of before? Are there any new actions that you are going to put in your Strong Week Plan as a result of having these conversations? Why Is It So Hard to Talk About This? CHAPTER 5 30 Why Is It So Hard to Talk About This? Chapter 5 elearning Journal
Strong Conversations with Manager Team Member to Manager Strong Conversation Tips Arrive on time and prepared for this conversation. Remember, the objective of this conversation is not to receive approval from your manager. This is where you share with your manager what you have to offer to do your job better. You are there to connect and share with your manager what you have learned and the actions you have taken to FREE your Strength and STOP your Weakness. If you want his/her input on how to STOP doing something, show your manager what you will do instead. Listen to the feedback your manager gives you and ask questions. Learn as much as you can about all the other possibilities to maximize this Strength or minimize this Weakness. If you have any requests of your manager, communicate them clearly and show how it will benefit you, the team, and your guests. Remember that your manager may not always be able to say yes to all your requests. A manager has to try to meet the needs of his or her team members and the needs of the organization at the same time. Don t worry that your manager might think you are showing off. Remember that you are giving him or her a gift. The next time your manager is agonizing over who to give a particular task to, he or she will know who actually wants to do it. Managers can t read minds. It will help both of you if you share what you want to do more and less of. FREEING STRENGTHS Things to Share: Hi. I d like to talk with you today about some of the things I ve discovered about my Strengths Tell your manager: The big three you identified. The main Strength you have been FREEing over the past two weeks. An example of how this Strength helped you do your job better. How much you do this activity now, and how much you would like to do it. That you would like to do more of this activity and that he/she should call on you because you would be happy to help. Why Is It So Hard to Talk About This? CHAPTER 5 I figure I typically do this about % of the day, and I d like to increase that to at least % of the day. 31 Why Is It So Hard to Talk About This? Chapter 5 elearning Journal
Tell your manager: The actions you have already taken to maximize your Strength. What has worked really well so far, and what hasn t worked so well. What situations you would like to put yourself in to maximize your Strengths. Ask: Do you have any suggestions about things I could do to maximize my Strength even more? Is there anyone who you think I could support with my Strength? How? Thanks for all of your feedback. STOPPING WEAKNESSES Things to Share: Hi. I was wondering if we could take a few minutes to discuss the activity that I have been really struggling with Tell your manager: The dreaded three you identified. The main Weakness that you have been STOPping over the past two weeks. That you would like to do less of this activity and that he or she should avoid calling on you for this activity, because... It s not that I want to get out of work, or work less. I just really don t think I contribute at my best in this area I can contribute more elsewhere. Tell your manager: The actions you have already taken to minimize your Weaknesses. What s worked and what hasn t worked so far. Who has helped you STOP your Weakness and how. Any perspective shift you have had. Ask: Do you have any suggestions about ways I could offer up my Strength to minimize this Weakness? Is there anyone else who you think I could team up with to minimize this Weakness? How could I look at this activity differently? Why Is It So Hard to Talk About This? CHAPTER 5 Thanks for your time. I ll be sure to connect with you on how I m doing. If you have any other thoughts, let me know. 32 Why Is It So Hard to Talk About This? Chapter 5 elearning Journal
Reflection Moment: So, how d it go? How did it feel to have a strong conversation with your manager? What went well? What would you do differently next time? Why Is It So Hard to Talk About This? What actions are you putting in your Strong Week Plan as a result of this conversation? CHAPTER 5 33 Why Is It So Hard to Talk About This? Chapter 5 elearning Journal
Strong Week Plan 1. Last Week s Strengthometer What percentage of last week did you spend doing things you really liked to do? 2. This Week s Strengthometer What percentage of this week did you spend doing things that you really like to do? 3. FREE Strengths What actions will you take this week to FREE your Strengths? Why Is It So Hard to Talk About This? CHAPTER 5 34 Why Is It So Hard to Talk About This? Chapter 5 elearning Journal
4. STOP Weaknesses What actions will you take this week to STOP your Weaknesses from getting in the way? Why Is It So Hard to Talk About This? CHAPTER 5 35 Why Is It So Hard to Talk About This? Chapter 5 elearning Journal
Chapter 6: Why Can t This Last Forever? You ve just watched Why Can t This Last Forever? What do you think? What s your main reaction? Record your thoughts below. Strong Quarter Top Five Learnings: 1. 2. 3. Why Can t This Last Forever? 36 Why Can t This Last Forever? Chapter 6 elearning Journal CHAPTER 6
4. 5. Three Successes: 1. 2. 3. Why Can t This Last Forever? 37 Why Can t This Last Forever? Chapter 6 elearning Journal CHAPTER 6
Reflection Moment: When you look at everything you ve learned to date, which one provided the biggest aha? Why? When you look at your accomplishments and successes to date, which one are you most proud of? How have these learnings and successes affected your team? Why Can t This Last Forever? 38 Why Can t This Last Forever? Chapter 6 elearning Journal CHAPTER 6
What have other people seen as a result of your learnings? Choose three visible ways that show how people have seen your behavior change as you have journeyed along your Strengths path. Visible Sign #1: Visible Sign #2: Visible Sign #3: Why Can t This Last Forever? 39 Why Can t This Last Forever? Chapter 6 elearning Journal CHAPTER 6
Strengthometer Starting Level Current Level Checklist for Staying Strong Choose another one of your big three Strengths and put it through the FREE interview. Start including actions for maximizing this Strength on your Strong Week Plan. Take the last of your big three Strengths and put it through the FREE interview. Start including actions for maximizing this Strength on your Strong Week Plan. Use the STOP interview if any Weaknesses are pulling you off your Strengths path. Continue having strong conversations with your manager and team members. The people you work with can be a valuable support system for you. Continue to rememo to discover and better describe new activities that strengthen you. This journal is where you can keep track of how you maximize your Strengths and minimize your Weaknesses. We strongly recommend that you use it daily to keep track of how you re spending your time and what you re learning along the way. Why Can t This Last Forever? 40 Why Can t This Last Forever? Chapter 6 elearning Journal CHAPTER 6
Looking Back at Your Strong Life Which work accomplishments are you most proud of? Who is your support system at work? What are they saying about you? The best parts of my life were when I was: because it made me feel: and I was able to accomplish: Why Can t This Last Forever? 41 Why Can t This Last Forever? Chapter 6 elearning Journal CHAPTER 6
Strong Week Plan 1. Last Week s Strengthometer What percentage of last week did you spend doing things you really liked to do? 2. This Week s Strengthometer What percentage of this week did you spend doing things that you really like to do? 3. FREE Strengths What actions will you take this week to FREE your Strengths? Why Can t This Last Forever? 42 Why Can t This Last Forever? Chapter 6 elearning Journal CHAPTER 6
4. STOP Weaknesses What actions will you take this week to STOP your Weaknesses from getting in the way? Why Can t This Last Forever? 43 Why Can t This Last Forever? Chapter 6 elearning Journal CHAPTER 6
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