Restore inspiration and motivation with this simple system

There are seasons where inspiration and motivation flow easily and effortlessly.

And then there are those where each day feels overwhelming, the tasks ahead unsurmountable, and success unachievable.

It’s in these moments that we lean on our self awareness more than ever. It’s in these moments that we rely on our understanding of ourselves. It’s in these moments that we need to connect with who we are when we are at our best, in order to bring ourselves out of the darker moments we find ourselves in.

And it starts with our strengths.

Identifying and exploring my strengths was one of the most powerful conversations I’ve had with my coach. It is something I return to regularly as a means to guide me in my business and in my life. Knowing what comes naturally to me, and what doesn’t, has provided me with a system in which I can contribute meaningfully in my work and move through challenges - especially when facing resistance in the form of doubt, fear, or shame.

This is how the system works: when I feel off, I check in with my strengths. I ask myself which ones I’m overusing and which ones I’m underusing. I can then dial up or dial down accordingly, and restore balance to my mind, my work, and my day. I find the energy and clarity I need to take action to move forward.

When our strengths are out of balance, we feel off because we are out of alignment. It’s a signal that we need to connect back to ourselves because after all, your strengths come from inside you. You are the source. And you are the system that supports your strengths.

As a result, you have the power to initiate inspiration and manifest motivation.

If I’ve learned one thing since becoming an entrepreneur full-time, it’s to lean into your strengths fully and wholly. To become aware to what moves you, excites you, and comes to you naturally and effortlessly.

I loved learning that Creativity is a strength of mine and leads me to explore new opportunities, new ways of solving problems, and new ways in going after goals for both myself and my clients.

Further, creativity has allowed me to be curious about how else I contribute as an entrepreneur.

Connecting with creativity reignited my love for design, style, and expressing myself through fashion. It reminded me of how I love to bring together colour, dimension, and texture to create an aesthetic. It has led me to reconnect with who you could call my first client - a business I coached and consulted with long before I enrolled in training or started my practice: Klas squared. I feel a renewed energy and connection to my creativity as it shows up from the inside out and it has called me back to the jewelry brand born by my mother’s creative genius, and designed and handmade in her home studio.

When we understand and have awareness around what we’re good at, our strengths, we can look for opportunities to expand our career. The conversations with our coaches, mentors, and managers can focus on where we excel and what path would allow us to continue on our trajectory towards success.

As a manager or leader, when we understand another’s strengths, we can more easily put ourselves in their shoes - we can listen and explore the gap between where they are and where they want to go, and as a result, provide more meaningful guidance. We can allow them to lead the conversation on how they can improve and support them with the tools and resources to put them on the path to success.

Lead from there; lead them towards a path to success, the path of least resistance: one that’s in alignment, the one that allows them to be integrated in who they are and show up fully as themselves.

When we are aligned in our strengths, we feel connected, engaged, and energized in our work.

The essential ingredients to feeling not only inspired and motivated, but fulfilled and purposeful in our contribution.

Kirsten Schmidtke is a professional coach, speaker, and lover of lake life. She works with leaders, creators, and entrepreneurs to help them up-level their careers, businesses, and lives. Are you ready to explore what’s possible for you? Contact Kirsten to start the conversation!