Recently, I found myself knee-deep in soggy cardboard and sentimentality. A water leak in my basement had led to a rescue mission through boxes of half-soaked papers and heirlooms dating back decades. I unearthed everything from faded baby pictures to my mom’s eighth-grade report card (still not sure why I had that). And then—between the warped photos and water-stained envelopes—I found something that stopped me in my tracks:
My CliftonStrengths Top 5 report from nearly 20 years ago.
I wasn’t shocked by the results. They were strikingly similar to the strengths I uncovered in a more recent assessment: the same patterns, the same glimpses of how I naturally think, feel, and behave. What did surprise me was this—I had completely forgotten I’d ever taken it.
Something that now feels like a deep part of who I am—how I lead, how I parent, how I make decisions—had once been nothing more than a piece of paper in a box.
The difference? Coaching.
This time around, I didn’t just take the assessment and file it away. I had a coach. Someone who helped me understand the meaning behind my results, how my talents show up in my life, and—most importantly—how to develop them intentionally. I was guided through conversations that turned insight into action. I learned how to name my strengths, claim them as uniquely mine, and aim them at my goals.
And I can’t help but wonder:
What would have been different if I’d had that coaching 20 years ago?
What opportunities might I have stepped into with more confidence?
What friction could I have avoided by understanding how I work best - or how others do?
What could I have done more efficiently, or with more energy and joy?
What Coaching Actually Looks Like
CliftonStrengths coaching isn’t about telling you who you are. It’s about helping you uncover what’s already true and giving you tools to use it powerfully.
We often talk about the process in three simple steps:
- Name it: Discover your natural patterns of talent. We explore the words and themes that describe what makes you you.
- Claim it: Reflect on how those talents show up in your daily life. What energizes you? What drains you? When are you at your best? This is where your story comes in.
- Aim it: This is where the true impact happens. We turn your awareness into strategy. Whether it’s leading a team, navigating a challenge, or reaching a new goal, we intentionally aim your strengths for greater impact and fulfillment.
You don’t need to wait for a flood or a forgotten report to start this journey.
The Best Time Is Now
There’s a Chinese proverb I’ve always loved:
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
It’s a poetic reminder that it’s never too late to start something meaningful - and your future self will thank you for starting today.
Whether you’ve taken the CliftonStrengths assessment before or are just discovering it, coaching turns passive awareness into purposeful action. When you begin using your strengths with intention, the growth that follows can be truly transformational.
Let’s stop leaving our potential tucked away in boxes, file folders, or forgotten corners. Let’s dig into what makes you you—so you can move toward your goals with more clarity, energy, and authenticity.
