How CliftonStrengths® Turned My Déjà Vu into Vujà Dé
We’ve all had that strange feeling that we’ve been somewhere or done something before—it’s called déjà vu. Déjà vu is one of those borrowed phrases, like faux pas, carpe diem, and vice versa. They’re the kind of expressions that add a little extra flair, capturing something in a way our usual words often can’t. I had a funny teacher who would intentionally say "versa vice," which cracked me up because it literally means "the other way around."
But what if déjà vu was turned the other way around? That’s what comedian George Carlin wondered when he coined the term "vujà dé," showing his knack for seeing the ordinary in a completely new way.
Vujà dé means looking at something familiar and seeing it in a completely new way. CliftonStrengths®, a tool developed by Gallup® that helps people identify their natural talents, gave me that vujà dé experience. It was like a room full of light bulbs suddenly turned on, revealing who I am in ways I had never noticed before. It helped me to finally start recognizing who I have always been.
To “re-cognize” means to know something again—to see something that’s been there all along but in a new light. This idea reminds me of "beginner's mind," a way of approaching the world with openness and curiosity, as if you’re seeing everything for the first time.
My Own Vujà Dé Moment
After learning about my own strengths, I asked my wife to take the CliftonStrengths® assessment too. When you understand someone's strengths, you'll find yourself seeing them in a new light. My wife, for example, is an amazing Achiever®. A relaxing Sunday for her usually involves a to-do list a mile long! Before I understood this as one of her strengths, I found it exhausting. For me, a perfect Sunday means a quiet room, a comfy couch, and a good book. But when I finally understood this as her strengths in action, I saw her differently. Instead of feeling exhausted, I felt awe. I thought, "Oh!!! This is YOU!" And she was so beautiful to me in that moment. It was a powerful reminder that seeing someone’s true strengths changes how you feel about them.
What the Research Says
Gallup’s research shows that people who focus on their strengths every day are three times more likely to report having an excellent quality of life and six times more likely to be engaged at work. This idea of strengths-based living isn’t just a personal discovery—it’s backed by data showing that understanding and using your strengths improves your wellbeing and performance.
Practical Ways to Apply Your Strengths
Here are some practical ways you can apply what you learn from CliftonStrengths to your life:
Reflect on Your Own Strengths: After taking the CliftonStrengths assessment, write down three times in your life when you used each of your top strengths successfully. This helps you recognize your strengths in action.
Practice Vujà Dé with Others: The next time you feel frustrated with someone, try looking at them through a strengths lens. Ask yourself, "What might their strength be here?" You may find that what frustrates you is actually a core part of what makes them who they are.
Start Your Day with a Strengths Focus: Choose one of your top strengths and think about how you could use it today. For example, if "Learner" is one of your strengths, plan a way to learn something new during the day, even if it’s just for 15 minutes.
Seeing the World with Beginner's Eyes
My daughter once taught me a beautiful lesson about seeing the world through the eyes of a child. We live in Southwest Florida, where a weed called "Florida snow" blooms with tiny white flowers, covering lawns like a blanket of snow. One day, we were driving past a yard full of these flowers. She paused and said, "Daddy, when I was little, I didn’t know those were weeds. I just loved all those flowers." It melted my heart. Leave it to a child to teach you that rain falls equally on the flowers and the weeds. It was a beautiful reminder of how we see the world before we attach labels and judgments.
The Hidden Cost of Being an Expert
As adults, we often operate on autopilot, labeling everything to make sense of the world quickly, which is part of having an 'expert mindset.' This mindset can prevent us from truly seeing what’s around us. For example, you might drive the same road for years without noticing a beautiful house that’s been there all along. When we let go of what we think we know, we open ourselves to new perspectives and deeper connections with others.
How You Can Experience Vujà Dé
Here are some action tips to help you start seeing with fresh eyes:
Take a Step Back: Take a few minutes each day to step back and reflect on a familiar situation. What is something you might be missing? This can help you see the bigger picture.
Recognize Someone Else's Strengths: The next time you interact with a friend, family member, or colleague, pause and think about what strengths they might be using. Let them know what you see—it could make their day.
Use CliftonStrengths as a Tool: Take the CliftonStrengths assessment if you haven’t yet. It provides language and insight to see yourself and others in a new way, leading to a deeper connection and renewed appreciation.
Think of it like this. Wouldn’t it be hard to draw a mountain accurately if you were standing on the mountain. You would be too close. Experience your own vujà dé now. Take a breath, step back, and see your true self—and others—like it’s the first time!
Interested in Learning More About CliftonStrengths?
CliftonStrengths is an assessment tool developed by Gallup that helps you identify your unique talents and strengths. By understanding and focusing on your strengths, you can improve your quality of life, enhance your work engagement, and build better relationships. The assessment provides you with a personalized report of your top strengths, along with insights and strategies to help you apply them in your personal and professional life. If you’re ready to discover what makes you stand out, consider taking the CliftonStrengths assessment today.