Have you ever felt misunderstood, like no one else seems to see the world the way you do? Maybe you’ve faced situations where others reacted in ways that seemed confusing or completely different from how you would respond. Why do some people see opportunity where you see risk? Why does something that brings you joy leave someone else indifferent?

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to effortlessly attract opportunities, while others work just as hard but struggle to get noticed? According to Connected by Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler, the answer might not be all about how hard your work—your success may be more about where you stand in your social network.

Have you ever hurt someone without realizing it? Or been hurt by someone who didn’t even notice? This hit home for me when I discovered my character strengths through the VIA Survey. My top strength was humor, which I thought was great—until I realized how it affected my wife. Humor wasn't very high on her list, though she does have a great sense of humor. She laughs all of the time, but it isn't necessarily the first tool she would grab in a pinch.

Have you ever silently thought, "What’s wrong with you?" What you’re really asking is, "Why can’t you just be more like me?" Whether it’s your spouse, coworker, or child, this frustration often comes from an unconscious habit called projection. Projection happens when we expect others to approach situations the way we would. It creates tension, misalignment, and over time, erodes trust and collaboration.

Have you ever felt like you’re doing everything right—putting in the effort, showing up for people, giving your best—but the world just isn’t giving anything back? You’re not alone. Most of us hit this wall at some point, wondering, What am I doing wrong?

Sometimes, it’s not the world that needs to change—it’s us.

Imagine understanding what makes the people around you extraordinary. Recognizing the strengths of others can transform how we connect with them—and stories help us see this more clearly. When we understand the unique talents people bring, we open ourselves to deeper relationships and new possibilities. As Donald Miller shares in Building a StoryBrand, stories invite us to step into someone else’s experience, to see the world through their eyes. And movies do this best.

What comes to mind when you hear the term “personal brand”? For many, it’s polished logos, perfect headshots, or a slick social media feed. For others, it might bring to mind peacocking—trying a little too hard to stand out. You’ve seen it before: someone who dominates the conversation with exaggerated stories, constantly name-drops, or interrupts to steer the focus back to themselves. It’s the person who seems more interested in impressing you than understanding you—leaving you feeling like an audience instead of an equal. But that’s not personal branding. That’s self-promotion—and let’s be honest, no one really likes it. When you understand and communicate your authentic personal brand, you’ll not only stand out—you’ll build trust, create meaningful connections, and attract the right opportunities.

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. #CliftonStrengths

When we think about personal growth, we often draw upon different frameworks and perspectives to better understand ourselves and others. As a Gallup®-Certified Strengths Coach, I always find myself applying CliftonStrengths® to every personal development book I read. I recently read Above the Line by Stephen Klemich and Mara Klemich, PhD, and it struck me how their Four Principles model could serve as a practical tool to help us align and aim our strengths in real time.