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“The real key to confidence isn’t fixing what’s wrong — it’s recognizing what’s already strong.”
Most of us have been taught to focus on what needs fixing — the habits to improve, the weaknesses to overcome, the places we “should” be better. Especially as women, we’re socialized to downplay what comes naturally to us and over-index on being “well-rounded.”
But what if confidence doesn’t come from self-correction — it comes from self-recognition?
Understanding your strengths isn’t just a professional exercise; it’s an act of self-awareness that transforms how you show up everywhere — at work, at home, and in between. When you know how your brain works best, you can set yourself up for more ease, energy, and alignment.
Culturally, we still chase a sense of “normal” — how things should look, be organized, or be done. The truth is, there’s no one normal. Our brains experience the world differently. When we stop chasing “should,” we start discovering what’s actually true for us.
Why Strengths Matter
Your strengths sit at the intersection of what you’re good at, what energizes you, and how your brain naturally processes the world.
When you operate from that place, you don’t just perform better — you communicate more clearly, regulate emotions more effectively, and move through the day with more confidence and calm.
Women often push through overwhelm or imposter syndrome by working harder, when the real solution is working smarter — aligning our time and energy with what we do best. That shift gives us permission to design work and life around our strengths, and to find tools or supports when we hit areas of challenge.
A Real-Life Example
A client I’ll call Jess came to me feeling stuck at work. She described herself as “disorganized and bad at follow-through.” But when we explored her strengths, a new story emerged: she was a connector, an idea generator, and a motivator.
Once she built systems that supported her creative brain, her stress dropped — and her confidence soared. The real breakthrough came when she learned to advocate for how she worked best. She reorganized her team and timelines to reduce friction, hit deadlines, and feel more grounded — at work and at home.
That’s what happens when you see yourself through a strengths lens: you stop working against your brain and start working with it.
Five Strengths to Explore
Understanding your strengths means seeing yourself more holistically — because your superpowers show up in more places than your résumé.
- Character Strengths (Who You Are)
Your core traits and values — like curiosity, kindness, or perseverance — shape how you move through life.
→ Try this: Take the free VIA Character Strengths Survey to find language for your natural traits. - Performance Strengths (What You Do Best)
The skills others naturally notice — presenting, mentoring, problem-solving, organizing.
→ Try this: Ask three people what they think you’re great at and look for patterns. - Brain Power (How You Operate)
Your executive function strengths — planning ahead, adapting quickly, staying calm under pressure — are the gears that keep your brain running.
→ Try this: Reflect on when you feel “in the zone.” What kind of thinking are you doing? - Processing Style (How You Absorb and Learn)
Everyone takes in information differently — by talking, writing, visualizing, or doing.
→ Try this: Notice how you learn best and communicate that to your manager, partner, or team. - Interests (What Lights You Up)
What draws your attention says a lot about where you find meaning and energy.
→ Try this: Write down three things that excite you right now — your next clue is in there.
Your Next Step
Start small. Notice what energizes you. Ask others what they see in you.
And if you want a guided way to begin, download my free Strengths Snapshot worksheet — created exclusively for the MomUp community.
Because when you know your strengths, you find alignment.
And from that place, everything else starts to flow.
About the Author
Lindsay Binette is an ADHD + Neurodiversity Coach and Founder of The Wavy Brain, a coaching and consulting practice helping individuals and organizations create more brain-friendly ways of working, learning, and living. She blends 20+ years of brand marketing leadership (Nike, Levi’s, Nest, Keds) with a deep passion for helping people understand how their brains work best.
