Using CliftonStrengths to Reignite Your Work Life
You know that feeling when you open your laptop on Monday morning and think, “Here we go again…”?
Not excited.
Not motivated.
Just… drained before the day even starts.
Burnout isn’t just about long hours. It’s about feeling disconnected from yourself in your work. When the tasks you’re doing ask you to operate outside of your natural rhythm day after day, even the best job on paper can start to feel like a slow leak in your energy.
But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to stay that way.
When You Work in Your Strengths, Your Work Feeds You, Not Drains You
Most of us were taught to focus on what we’re not good at. Fix your weaknesses. Improve your flaws. Be “well-rounded.”
But CliftonStrengths flips that thinking on its head:
What if your greatest potential isn’t in fixing what’s wrong, but in focusing on what’s already strong?
Gallup’s research shows that people who use their strengths every day are more engaged, more productive and more fulfilled. Why? Because they’re operating from their natural zone of brilliance, not trying to be someone they’re not.
Let’s Make This Real: Meet John (not his real name)
John works in Learning & Development at a large company. He’s sharp, reliable and always the go-to person for getting things done.
But behind the scenes? He’s quietly burning out.
When he discovered his Top 5 CliftonStrengths, things started to click:
- Strategic – He sees patterns and possibilities others miss.
- Learner – He thrives when he’s growing and exploring new ideas.
- Ideation – He’s energized by brainstorming and innovation.
- Input – He loves collecting resources, ideas and information.
- Individualization – He can see what makes each person unique.
His actual job? Mostly administrative. Chasing approvals. Running compliance training. Managing spreadsheets. He was capable, but not called.
With his new awareness, he spoke to his manager about taking on more project design and innovation tasks, things like redesigning onboarding programs or running idea-generation workshops. Slowly, his role shifted. Same company, but now he’s doing what lights him up.
John didn’t need to quit. He just needed to align his work with his wiring.
Here’s How You Can Shift Too
- Know Your Strengths
If you haven’t yet, join me and take the CliftonStrengths Assessment. Your Top 5 are a mirror into what energizes you. Read beyond the surface definitions, understand how they show up in you. - Do a Task Audit
Over the next week, take note:
• Which tasks give you energy?
• Which ones leave you depleted?
You’ll start to notice patterns, some tasks will feel natural while others feel like you’re swimming upstream. - Speak Up, Strategically
You don’t need to ask for a full career change. Start small. Raise your hand for projects that align with your strengths. Share how you work best in team meetings. Suggest improvements in areas where your talents shine.
Small shifts lead to big changes over time.
You Deserve to Feel Energized By Your Work
You were never meant to simply survive your career.
You were designed with unique talents and when you align your work with those talents, something powerful happens:
You stop feeling burned out… and you start to feel lit up.
More focused.
More confident.
More alive.
So if you’re feeling stuck or tired in your role, don’t assume it’s because you’re not enough. Maybe you’ve just been trying to succeed in a way that isn’t natural to you.
Start with your strengths. They’ve been there all along, waiting to guide you home to work that fits.