Odd-inary - A personal SWOT analysis

Defining who I am, before the world tells me who I should be

While undertaking a course about personal branding and self-development, our professor spoke about how we can only improve ourselves when we can identify our own key attributes, either positive or negative.

I thought to myself, this sounds awfully familiar. And then he mentioned SWOT and I was like yes exactly!

Why not use a basic analytical model that we use for companies all the time to understand where they stand currently, what they can improve on and apply it to myself?

But where to start? How can I be objective when I am subjectively 100% biased?

To make things easier YouTuber Kreative Leadership lays out a strategy for identifying those key attributes by asking myself certain questions.

What am I good at naturally and what skills have I developed over the years?

I thought back on my experiences. Learning from everyone around me -- from my teammate to my rival to the random person I bumped into at the coffee shop one day-- is something I find increasingly valuable.

It is so rewarding to come out of a conversation with a new realization and a feeling that I learned something new today! This in fact allows me to be open to new experiences and challenges.

Then came considering the downsides to my personality. I don't think of my weaknesses as something negative but rather as areas that can be improved upon.

What 'negative' traits or habits do I possess?

Identifying weaknesses is hard for most people but for me, it was easy since I know the situations where I have struggled and what causes severe anxiety every time, I think about them. I tend to get lost in my own head while working on something, whether it’s a work project or assignment, or even a recipe.

I need it to be "perfect" and if for some reason, it isn’t, I lose composure, imposter syndrome strikes, and feelings of not being good enough arise.

But, life goes on and I need to be resilient therefore I am working on my weaknesses by practicing mindfulness and self-help sessions in the form of online videos, journaling, and reciting daily affirmations.

In one such session, Adia Gooden, a clinical psychologist, asked a very thought-provoking question at a TedX speech, “What if your worth were unconditional and you didn't need to prove your existence but simply exist?

Through her video I learned that in order for me to cultivate self-worth, I must:

1. Forgive myself for past mistakes.

2. Practice self-acceptance.

3. Be there for yourself when life gets rough.

4. Connect with supportive people.

I am not there yet but I hope that in the near future I can break the cycle of dependence on external approval and am free from the paralysis of perfectionism.

Whew! Now that that's done, what's next?

How can I grow and what skills do I need to get a competitive advantage?

Thanks to the advent of the internet, currently there are 1000s of courses available online in any area of interest. Due to the requirements of my current module, I found myself hooked on these short courses. I mean, what’s not to like, they are typically free, easily available, and I can learn at my own pace. I am currently taking a short course on how to become more empathetic and cultivate EQ while dealing with personal and professional situations. I have learned a lot from it and seek to implement it all going forward.

But not all things are rainbows and sunshine, the world keeps evolving and I must too.

Am I facing stiff competition professionally? What am I lacking?

I have had an urge to improve myself not only because I love learning about anything and everything but also because of the major competition out there. Whether it’s in my personal or professional career. Sometimes it is for small things like someone taking the last candy bar in the supermarket or something big like losing out on a job. Facing rejection is not easy but I have realized throughout this course, that yes, there are people who are more knowledgeable or who are more skilled than me but I like to say that I will reach that same level soon and I am just not there... yet!

Final takeaway

No one is born perfect and no one has to be. This SWOT analysis was eye-opening for me because I had to ask myself tough questions and it's not easy being honest to yourself but I am grateful because now I have a firm understanding of just how odd-inary I am.