A Personal SWOT

A SWOT matrix is a framework for analyzing our strengths and weaknesses, as well as the opportunities and threats we face. This helps us to focus on our strengths, minimize weaknesses, and take advantage of every opportunity.

SWOT is an acronym for Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. The first two, strengths and weaknesses, are our personal attributes that we bring to our life. The second two, opportunities and threats are what the outside world brings to us.

For each of the SWOT elements, ask yourself some questions. I have listed some example questions below, you can add your own questions too.

STRENGTHS:

What benefits do you have which others do not have? This could include skills, education, or connections.
What are you better at than anyone else?
What personal resources do you have access to?
What do other people see as your strengths?
Which achievements are you most proud of?
What values do you believe in that others fail to show?
Are you part of a network no one else is involved in? What connections do you have with powerful people?

WEAKNESSES:

What work do you usually avoid because of lack of confidence?
What do people think you weaknesses are?
Are you happy with your education and skills training?
Do you have any negative work habits?
Which of your personality traits hold you back?

OPPORTUNITIES:

What new technology can assist you?
Can you take advantage of the market in its present state?
Do you have a network of strategic contacts to offer good advice or help you?
Is any of your competitors failing to do something important? Can you take advantage of it?
Is there a need in your company which no one is filling?
Could you create an opportunity by offering solutions to problems?

THREATS:

What hindrances do you currently face at work?
Is any of your co-workers competing with you for projects or roles?
Is your job changing?
Can technological changes threaten your position?
Could any of your weaknesses lead to threats?

THE ADVANTAGES OF CONDUCTING A PERSONAL SWOT

The main purpose of a SWOT is to promote the identified strengths, reduce weaknesses, exploiting the opportunities and having contingency plans to minimize threats.

There are many benefits and advantages of using SWOT Analysis for personal development. It is good for our success and betterment. Some of the most common benefits of conducting a personal SWOT analysis have been mentioned below.

• Helps to develops strategies to attain our goals.
• We can be better than our friends and colleagues.
• Shows where we currently stand on the path of success.
• Measures our scopes of reaching desired goals.
• Boosts our career, life and personality.
• Helps to better understand who we really are as a person.
• Maximizes our strengths and diminishes our weaknesses.
• Explores and also enhances our soft skills and hard skills.
• It helps us understand our preferences and personality traits.
• Focuses on our attitudes, abilities, skills, capabilities and capacities.

- Source "Happy Life"