What strengths can you lean on right now?

Which skills do you currently possess?

This is the second article on BEing Skillful.

The last article was about clarity and motivation—deciding what you want to learn and why it matters. Now let’s turn to the strengths you already have.

As you step into learning something new, notice what feels familiar and comfortable. What do you already know that can help you? For instance, if you’re building a new technology skill, maybe your organizational ability helps you carve out practice time on your calendar. Or if you’re working on improving your sales conversations, perhaps your natural curiosity supports you in asking better questions.

As adults, we sometimes think learning something new means starting from scratch. It doesn’t. You get to bring your whole self—including the skills you’ve already developed—into the process. Those familiar strengths can give you confidence to try something new.

Here’s how to put this into practice this week:

1. List three skills you already have that could support you in learning the new one you’ve chosen.
2. Match each one to a way it helps: “Because I’m organized, I’ll schedule practice time.” “Because I’m a good listener, I’ll notice what the client actually says.”
3. Lean on them—intentionally use those existing skills to make the new learning smoother.

It doesn’t all have to be new. In fact, the more you recognize and apply what you already know, the more skillful you become in everything you do.

Now, go see what you can use that you already have!