“Hi, where are you from? What’s your major? What are your top 5 strengths?”
STRENGTHS QUEST! Okay, you’ll only get that if you went to Evangel. Every person who goes to Evangel takes this test called Strengths Quest. You answer a series of random questions and then it tells you what your top five strengths are. And then you are defined by those strengths for your entire four years. Don’t think I’m joking. They even make shirts for it. Yes, I’m making fun of it, but in reality I kind of loved it. I used to try to guess what everyone’s strengths were before I asked. It’s important to know what your strengths are.
In case you were wondering, my top 5 strengths according to Strengths Quest were/are:
1. Empathy
2. Strategy
3. Individualization
4. Futuristic
5. Input
I’ve always had some doubts about them. I mean, empathy? Really? My number one strength? I don’t even like people, why would I empathize with them? Maybe it’s some kind of weird, latent thing. And what is individualization anyway? It sounds like a word that was made up. But, the other three I will agree with. I am pretty strategic. And futuristic just means that I’m always thinking about the future, in real words it means I’m a dreamer, which we all already knew. And input means that I like to know random knowledge, and that I like to know everything about things, and that is definitely true.
So those are my “tested” strengths. These are what I like to think my strengths are.
1. I’m a good friend (or at least I like to think that I am). If my career could be “friend,” that would be ideal. I think that may be what I am best at in the entire world (or maybe I’m not actually a good friend and this is all an in my imagination). I am extremely concious of their feelings and I’d like to think that I’m always there for them when they need to talk, or when they want some kind of advice. I am extremely loyal to my friends. And I would do anything for them. One day when I’m famous (or sort of famous, or married to someone famous), they will all be hooked up with cool jobs, concert tickets, football/basketball/hockey/baseball tickets, advanced screenings and whatever other swag they might want, I’ll make sure of that.
2. Hugs. What can I say, I give good hugs. There’s no contesting that. If being a professional friend doesn’t work out, I’d like to be a professional hugger.
3. Sarcasm. I am very good at this. Practice makes perfect, right? And boy do I have a lot of practice in this. Anyone who has ever had a conversation with me can attest to this. Sometimes I’m concerned that people I don’t know will think I’m serious when I say things, which to me, means that I’m doing it right. If they can’t tell you’re joking then you’re mastered this skill. I’m pretty quick-witted, it’s a gift.
4. Capturing moments. This is my forte as a photographer. I can’t pose people or shoot good portraits to save my life. Any kind of portrait I try to take always has that awkward-we-are-uncomfortable-and-being-posed feel to it. But, I am good at capturing moments. Action photography is what I’m someday hoping to get into. Sports, concerts, anything where there is dynamic movement. I’m not going to say it’s harder than portraits, because that’s not the case, portraits photography is hard, but it takes a different kind of talent and creative mind. It’s composing on the fly, and having to anticipate movements. So much fun.
5. I have a strong sense of who I am. I’m pretty headstrong and I’m a nonconformist. I like what I like no matter what people think about it. I am way too lame to every be a hipster. Yes, I’m 22-years-old (almost 23!), and I like boybands and Disney. I wear what I want, despite what might be popular or trendy. Yes, I live in LA, and I sometimes dress like I live in Nashville. It’s just not in my character to to base my thoughts, beliefs, opinions, likes, dislikes, or actions on what is popular or cool. I am me, and I’m proud to be me. Judge me if you want, totally not my problem.
momentswithmisty.com 