I realized last week if I am going to hit my goal of 50 books in 2007 I’m going to have to get on it (let’s face it, I probably won’t get to 50). So I put some concerted effort to finishing up Marcus Buckingham’s Go Put Your Strengths To Work.

As I mentioned in a recent post that I have been looking forward to reading this book for some time because these are the kinds of questions I have been asking regarding Strengths - how do you put them to use. Buckingham’s book hits those issue squarely on the head and gives plenty of practical steps to living a Strengths-Based Life.

The book is extremely practical and I think the reader will benefit greatly for that. It gives a lot of step-by-step types of instructions with helpful advice along the way. There are several online instruments to help assess how you are currently utilizing your strengths.

Some of the most helpful pieces for me were the sections detailing how to write a Strengths Statement and Weakness Statement. Based upon who you are - personality, themes of talent, etc - it is vital to discover your most potent strengths. As you do this he guides you through the process of writing a Strengths Statement that can help you clarify what you are best at.

We’re heading in, somewhat blindly, into a Training Day this weekend. We’re utilizing the Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment and Buckingham’s Trombone Player Wanted to help introduce students to discovering and utilizing their strengths. I say “somewhat blindly” because I’m still learning as I go on this. I’m excited for the Training Day and the potential it has for helping people discover their place in work and ministry.

The book is a definite read and one that I’m sure you will consult time and again. I also found it helpful to “hear” Buckingham saying it as I read. There’s something about the accent that helps me remember.