Step One: List Your Strengths Using pen and paper, the computer, cassette tape or Braille or whatever

medium is easiest for you, create a list of strengths you already have that would be useful in your career. Don't censor yourself; follow your first instincts. Example:

I'm a very good writer. I can evaluate a story assignment so I know what I will want to know and say. I know my topic pretty well. I'm enthusiastic. I'm self-motivated. I have all the tools I need. I know how to do research online. I can work alone and uninterrupted. And so forth. Go to Top of Page Step Two: Choose Your Most Critical Strengths Look over this list and choose the three most important strengths you have identified. Example:

I'm a very good writer. I know my topic pretty well. I know how to do research online. Go to Top of Page

Step Three: Develop An Affirmative Statement About Your Strengths Compose a statement (or statements) about your strengths as if you were trying to convince someone to choose you for a project. Say "I will" instead of "I can".

Example: "I will research and write well-informed and interesting articles about people who are blind and how they manage their careers." Go to Top of Page Step Four: Find Ways You Can Make Your Strengths Even Better For each item, spend some time thinking how you can develop your strengths even more. Example: I'm a very good writer, and I can continue to improve as a writer by:

Doing a lot of reading. Joining a writers support group. Taking a journalism class. I know my topic pretty well, and I can learn more about career management by: Reading about it. Conducting informational interviews with experts. I know how to do research online, and I can keep up with the changing Internet by: Subscribing to and reading Internet user magazines or e-newsletters. Taking a SmartPlanet class about web searching. Researching and compiling a list of useful references online. Set these lists aside for now.

The next four steps are exactly the same as the first four but, instead of discussing strengths and how to use and improve them, we are going to cover weaknesses and how to minimize and even eliminate them. Go to Top of Page Step Five: List Your Weaknesses Create a list of weaknesses that could block your career development. Don't censor yourself; follow your first instincts. Example:

I procrastinate. I hurry through projects. I get very groggy in the middle of the day. I hate to proofread. I don't know much about career management in other countries and other cultures. I'm shy about phone interviews. I have a rather informal writing style that is not suitable for serious topics. I have lots of other projects to do. And so forth. Go to Top of Page Step Six: Choose Your Three Worst Look over this list and identify the three weaknesses that most stand in the way of your success. Example:

I procrastinate.

I hate to proofread. I'm shy about phone interviews. Go to Top of Page Step Seven: Create A Statement About Yourself That You Will Work to Change Compose a statement (or statements) that includes these weaknesses as if you were trying to talk someone out of choosing you for a project. Say "I won't" instead of "I can't".

Example: "I won't do the phone research, and then I will wait to the last minute to do sloppy work." Go to Top of Page Step Eight: Find Ways to Minimize or Eliminate Your Weaknesses For each item, spend some time thinking how you can minimize or even eliminate these weaknesses so you can no longer truthfully make the statement in step seven. Example: I procrastinate, and I can manage my time better by:

Getting better organized. Asking for weekly instead of monthly assignments. Removing distractions and enticements from my workspace I hate to proofread, and I can make sure my work looks its best by: Using "down time" to go through my work with a red pen. Hire someone to proofread for me. See if there is such a thing as real proofreading software. I'm shy about phone interviews, and I can overcome my shyness by:

Figuring out what I'm afraid of and facing the fears. Practicing with a friend. Go to Top of Page Step Nine: Decide What Would Have The Greatest Impact Take a look at your two lists and decide which strengths you most need to focus on and which weaknesses are the greatest threats to your success.

Example: I decided my greatest strength was my writing, and my greatest weakness is procrastination. Go to Top of Page Step Ten: Set A Date to Get Stronger Sit down with your planner and set appointments with yourself to take those first steps towards a better, more successful you! Example: In my calendar, there are now these items:

Ask my lead editor to give me weekly assignments instead of many at once. Set aside time for putting into practice my time management teacher's advice about getting tiny projects out of the way so I can focus on bigger ones. Find an online basic writing class and take it. And so forth. When you are done with your "to do" list in step ten, expect to start all over. Lifelong learning is both a joy and a necessity in our new global economy. Good luck!