Sorta Like Super Powers

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,

FYI - This is my 599th blog entry in the now two years (and 5 days) that I've been doing this...and over that time, I've bored you with a lot of quizzes. Today is no exception. As you know, if there's one thing that I pride myself on, it's a consistent work ethic. That...and inventing Panda Porn and saving the species for the time being. Well, earlier today, I knew it was going to be a great day. Why you ask? Because I get to work...and right off the get-go, I see a fairly attractive coworker of mine walking down the sidewalk...carrying a saddle with her. (I should mention at this time, that is was a Western theme at work today) Being the gentleman that I am, I asked her, "Would you like some help with that?" In that instant, she kind of laughed in a way that made me think...at least for a moment...that her mind was in the gutter & thinking of cowgirls in reverse as well...but declined my offer and we went on our separate merry ways, both smiling.

One thing my mama told me growing up was that if something isn't working right or needs to be fixed, you should swat the sh*t out of it until it works for you. Now, she was mainly talking about anything from gardening tools to electronics to child laborers...but it works for your career too. Only they call it SWOT, which stands for Strengths - Weaknesses - Opportunities - Threats. Who knew that my mom was actually talking about a big business term instead of physical violence? I should never doubt her.

Anyway, after that encounter with saddle girl, I was then asked to take a Strengths Finder Test so that they would know what type of worker I am (besides perverted) and what kind of drone I could be in their grand scheme of things. The quiz took about 40 minutes...and when the numbers were computated, here are the Top 5 Results that were given...along with some info on each...

1. Maximizer - "People who are especially talented in the Maximizer theme focus on strengths as a way to stimulate personal and group excellence. They seek to transform something strong into something superb. Strengths, whether yours or somebody else's, fascinate you. Like a pearl diver, you search them out, watching for the telltale signs of a strength. A glimpse of untutored excellence, rapid learning, a skill mastered without recourse to steps, you feel compelled to nurture it, refine it, and stretch it towards excellence. You polish the pearl until it shines." (Giggidy, I sure do) So yeah, apparently I'm the kind of guy that sees the best in someone and tries to help maximize it and make it the BEST!!! I would have to agree with that.

2. Relator - "People who are especially talented in the Relator theme enjoy close relationships with others. They find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a goal. You are comfortable with intimacy (hell yeah). Once the initial connection has been made, you deliberately encourage a deepening of the relationship. You want to understand their feelings, their goals, their fears and their dreams and you want them to understand yours. (I kid you not, I can show you the book this is from) You know that this closeness implies a certain amount of risk - you might be taken advantage of - but you are willing to accept that risk." So basically my work life is like a Danielle Steele novel. It goes on to suggest that I find a workplace that encourages relationships (to a certain extent) and to learn about my coworkers...which I try to do anyway...and be caring & honest with them. Geez, it's like we're dating or something. If so, I don't get paid enough.

3. Achiever - "People who are especially talented in the Achiever theme have a great deal of stamina (um hmmm) and work hard (so hard...). They take great satisfaction from being busy and productive. By the end of the day, you must achieve something tangible in order to feel good about yourself. You have an internal fire burning inside you. It pushes you to do more, to achieve more. After each accomplishment is reached, the fire dwindles for a moment, but very soon it rekindles itself, forcing you towards the next accomplishment. Your relentless need for achivement might not even be logical or focused but it will always be with you." I did grow rather restless during my two weeks of unemployment. THANK GOD I had to arrange for a new job and move all my worldly possession about 600 miles during that time. I would've gone bonkers. So yeah, I get bored easily...which may also explain why this stuff I'm reading from this book sounds really sexy. Seriously though. My internal fire being dwindled after an accomplishment...and then a few minutes later being ready for another go-around. Goes pretty well with the stamina mentioned in the previous one, don't you think?

4. Communication - "People who are especially talented in the Communication theme generally find it easy to put their thoughts into words. They are good conversationalists and presenters. You like to explain, to describe, to host, to speak in public, and to write. Events are static. You feel a need to bring them to life, to energize them, to make them exciting and vivid...and so you turn events into stories and practice telling them. You take the dry idea and enliven it with images and examples and metaphors. You believe that most people have a very short attention span (or am that person, in my case). You want to divert their attention towards you and then capture it, lock it in. This is what drives your hunt for the perfect phrase. This is why people like to listen to you. Your word pictures pique their interest, sharpen their world and inspire them to act." Sexbot!!! That is purely prepostorious. I can barely read...but luckily my charms got me through higher education. It goes on to say that I should get a degree or a job in Marketing or something. I have no idea why they would even think something like that. They must not be readers of my blog. Nothing I say gets acted upon. Hell, I barely get comments anymore. Though I do love my readers...and want to make their days pleasant and cheerful, I don't exactly see me sharpening their world with the perfect phrase. Then again, if I happen to help you pique all over the place, you're welcome. I have considered writing romance novels before...

5. Adaptability - "People who are especially talented in the Adaptability theme prefer to “go with the flow.” They tend to be “now” people who take things as they come and discover the future one day at a time. You live in the moment. This doesn't mean that you don't have plans. You probably do, but this enables you to respond willingly to the demands of the moment even if they pull you away from your plans. Unlike some, you don't resent sudden requests or unforeseen detours. You expect them. They are inevitable. You are, at heart, a very flexible person who can stay productive when the demands of work are pulling you in many different directions at once." Again, simply prepostorious. This test is pure hogwash. Forget the whole last year or so...and the various days of infamy...and anything of that sort. Nothing to do with this at all. When I said Adaptability yesterday, I meant changing colors like a chameleon...and maybe growing a dorsal fin for balance or something.

Okay, so the test was pretty close...and I can't wait to see the rest of the 34 themes...and what my Bottom 5 are. That should be interesting too. Anyway, I've bored you enough. Check out this test if you get the chance. You might like it...and it'll give you some insight on the kind of career you might want to go into. I've found that my current career is a pretty good fit...because I can help others maximize their talents (Maximizer), talk all day (Communication), bang my coworkers (Relator) all night (Achiever) and go with the flow (Adaptability). Have a great day everybody!!!