Not what... SWOT!

There are more than seven billion people worldwide, and everyone is different; physically, mentally, emotionally, and so on! What’s incredible is that 99% of our entire genetic makeup is identical. IDENTICAL! Just one percent of our DNA is actually what makes us unique!

But here, every one of us has a place, a voice, a SWOT analysis. 

“A what?”

Not what… SWOT!

Hi there! This week’s blog is about identity. As I said, everyone is different, and before you say anything, doppelgangers aren’t exceptions (clones do not exist)! But how many people actually know who they are? I mean, yes, you have a name for a reason, but is that all you are and all you will be?

If you’re a business person or know business terminology, you might be familiar with this. SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis is a technique that many businesses use to evaluate a company’s position to make strategic plans for the future. The trick here is that this analysis doesn’t just have to be used for business purposes. There isn’t a single person with the same life or personality as you or me. Again, everyone is different in their way! Like many businesses, we can use this to evaluate our position and personality too!

There’s just one question: how exactly do we do that?

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Let’s start with strengths. What are some things that you’re good at? “None” is not an answer. In the time you have spent on this planet, there’s bound to be at least one thing you are good at! Strengths can also be values, beliefs, or characteristics you cherish (See what I did there?). Maybe it’s skating, drawing, singing, or even milking cows (you never know). If you ask me, a good hard-working nature and a love for music are my strengths.

Moving on to weaknesses. This is a little too easy to answer for some people, but weaknesses aren’t just things you despise or don’t do well in; they’re also your limits. I guess for me, one thing I can’t get past is that I can get easily distracted and procrastinate. I mean, it doesn’t take too much at all for me to just stop working and go on my phone. No matter how much I try to rid myself of distractions I always find some way to get myself out of work. In my opinion, I would be much better off without that habit.

We’re done with strengths and weaknesses, so opportunities are next. This is a little hard to address. Opportunities can be anything; a job proposal, a leadership role in a club, a dance recital, a concert, etc. One of my biggest opportunities is this blog! This is a chance to exercise my writing skills, and creativity, and get my thoughts out in public. 

Last but not least, threats. This isn’t like the if-you-don’t-then-I’ll… type of threats we see in movies. Threats are things that can endanger your goals and thoughts. For example, a threat for me would be competition. Every time I enter a violin competition or audition, I can guarantee that I am not the only capable person in the room; hundreds of kids come and audition for the same solo, and every one of them could be chosen. To me, knowing your competition is scarier than the audition itself.

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So, what have I learned here? I need to surpass my weakness of procrastination and short attention span by focusing on my hard-working nature. I also need to overcome any threats of competition, especially during violin auditions, with my love for music. Most of all, I need to use the opportunity that my blog gives me to the fullest!

When all is said and done, you are who you chose to be, and one thing is for sure: there is no one out there who can be you. Your personality is something that no one can or should take away from you, and it’s your job to be aware of that. Knowing these sides of yourself, your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, helps you understand who you are and possibly who you’re becoming. So, now that you know the process, tell me…

What’s your SWOT analysis like?

What Do You Think?

I like this analysis. I mean some of the parts are a little tricky to answer, but the outcome is pretty cool, right? Since I took the SWOT analysis for myself, it’s your turn to take it too!

• What are some of your strengths? It can be a value or a belief that you go by, a characteristic about yourself, or a skill you excel at.

• What are your weaknesses? They aren’t just things you’re bad at, but they are also limits that you have. 

• Do you have any opportunities to grow or improve? Maybe you have a big school project soon, a job proposal, or a leadership role.

• Can you name any threats you may have to hinder your growth? It can be competition, fear, physical issues, etc.

• After finding the answer to all these questions, what do you think you can do to reach your fullest potential? HINT: look back at the first paragraph after the break for reference!