Thousands of years ago this adaptation meant life or death. Now in many cultures it just means thriving or just surviving. Due to this incredible ability to adapt and change over time we are here today in our present form with the hardwiring, intelligence and reasoning ability to do just about anything in the short term when we absolutely need to, to survive.

The art and science of thriving on the other hand does not come as easy. To thrive – especially in a sustainable long term mode – is an altogether different set of skills.

To thrive long term and to sustain it daily, weekly, monthly and yearly in a manner that generates more and more energy as you progress is a rare sight in our society.

It is rare, due to the necessary synchronization of elements that must play together … in harmony.  These elements and their ultimate synchronization, just like our DNA, are different in each one of us.

To thrive you must be playing in your primary strengths and primary passion(s) in a manner that provides the lifestyle you need and want; which means you have to know your unique elements (Career DNA) and you need to know how they work best in tandem.

Although the strengths conversation has been going on for a long time many people still do not understand their own strengths well, and many do not know how to fully utilize them.  When they do it can change their lives.

There are many reasons why we rarely see someone thriving. Foremost among them is the system we grow up in. The public face of this system is a society and educational system that does not promote a model for us to thrive in, one based on strengths and passions, and of course without this critical foundation it goes without saying that they cannot help us fulfill it.

The personal face of this epidemic are the many parents who are not in their true calling, and therefore cannot model the appropriate behavior to their children.  For example, when was the last time you successfully took flying lessons from someone who was not a pilot?

To thrive during your short lifetime on this planet is not easy. It takes working smart and working hard.  Yet, it is worth every ounce of effort and financial investment you make.  As in most endeavors, if it was easy we would all be thriving wouldn’t we?

Are you thriving or just surviving?

 

Image: IStockPhoto / H-Gall