What Gets You out of Bed
- Susan Wang
- Jan 16
- 4 min read

Unlocking Your Potential: Embracing a Possibility Mindset and Your Strengths
What gets you out of bed every morning? For many, it's a sense of purpose, curiosity, or the anticipation of joy. Yet, as life evolves, we may find ourselves continuing with a routine that becomes so comfortable that you are going with the flow and forget the reasons or what motivates us in doing so. Then suddenly you realize years have passed. We find ourselves grappling with new questions about who we are and what truly drives us. These moments present an opportunity to explore what energizes us, shift from a scarcity to a possibility mindset, and uncover our strengths.
The Scarcity vs. Possibility Mindset
Our mindset shapes our reality. A scarcity mindset whispers, “There’s not enough… time, resources, you name it, it’s true,” leaving us feeling incapable or undeserving. It paints life as a zero-sum game: if someone else wins, we lose. Conversely, a possibility mindset invites us to believe that solutions exist, resources are within reach, and success can be mutual.
Moving from “I can’t” to “How can I?” is transformative. Replacing the limiting “but” in our inner dialogue with “and” fosters creativity and opens doors to solutions. For instance, instead of saying, “I wish I could pursue my passion, but I don’t have time,” try, “I wish I could pursue my passion, and I can start by dedicating 15 minutes daily to brainstorming.” This shift redirects your brain toward actionable steps.
Exploring What Energizes You
Understanding what energizes you starts with envisioning your best self. Ask yourself:
What does my future desired self look like?
Why is this vision meaningful to me?
What values make this vision important?
These questions help align your energy with your purpose. When you visualize a future filled with intentional actions and resonate with its emotional significance, you create a roadmap powered by your “why.”
Discovering what energizes you begins with introspection and noticing what naturally uplifts your spirit. It’s about turning into activities, moments, and interactions that leave you feeling fulfilled and alive. Here’s how you can delve deeper:
Reflect on Past Joys: Think about times when you felt genuinely happy and energized. What were you doing? Who were you with? For example, if leading a community event made you feel accomplished and connected, it’s a sign that leadership and social interaction energize you.
Pay Attention to Flow States: Activities that engage you so deeply that you lose track of time are strong indicators of what energizes you. For instance, if you find joy in organizing chaotic situations, perhaps project management or problem-solving is your niche.
Notice What Drains You: Conversely, activities that leave you feeling depleted can provide insight into what doesn’t align with your energy. For example, if excessive administrative tasks feel like a chore, consider delegating or automating them to focus on areas that excite you.
Uncovering and Optimizing Your Strengths
Each of us has unique strengths—qualities that energize us when we use them. These might include adaptability, curiosity, creativity, or persistence. Identifying and nurturing these strengths allow us to operate at our best. Tools like the CliftonStrengths assessment or Positive Intelligence saboteur analysis can provide insights into your natural talents and inner barriers.
Begin by listing qualities others often admire in you or achievements that felt effortless. Reflect on tasks that leave you energized rather than depleted. These are clues to your innate strengths.
Your strengths are the unique traits that come naturally to you, energize you, and are recognized by others. They aren’t just what you’re good at but what makes you feel strong while doing them. Here’s how to uncover and harness them:
Identify Patterns in Praise: What do people often compliment you on? These could be clues to your strengths. For example, if colleagues consistently highlight your empathy, you likely excel at building strong relationships.
Reflect on Successes: Consider moments when you’ve achieved something effortlessly. What skills or qualities did you use? For example, if you resolved a tense workplace conflict with ease, negotiation or emotional intelligence might be among your strengths.
Use Strengths Assessments: Tools like the CliftonStrengths assessment can help you identify and name your top traits. Pair this with a self-check to validate how these traits show up in your daily life.
Experiment and Observe: Try new activities and take note of how you feel. For instance, volunteer to lead a meeting or manage a project. If it feels invigorating rather than draining, it’s a strength worth nurturing.
Once you’ve identified your strengths, the next step is to integrate them into your personal and professional life:
Focus on Strength-Based Activities: If creativity is your strength, dedicate more time to brainstorming or designing rather than routine tasks.
Pair Strengths with Goals: Align your strengths with specific goals. For example, if you’re naturally resourceful, set a goal to navigate a challenging project with minimal guidance.
Build a Strengths-Based Support System: Surround yourself with people who complement your strengths. For instance, if you’re a visionary but not detail-oriented, collaborate with someone who thrives on execution.
Embrace Your Authenticity and Unlock Your Potential
Uncovering what energizes you and embracing your strengths is a transformative journey. By shifting to a possibility mindset, exploring the activities that bring you joy, and understanding your unique capabilities, you can align your life with your values and purpose. The perfect moment doesn’t exist, but the courage to start does. As Vex King reminds us, “Start scared. Start unprepared. Start anyway.” Each step forward builds momentum. By embracing a possibility mindset, exploring what energizes you, and uncovering your strengths, you’ll not only get out of bed with purpose but also move closer to the life you’ve envisioned.
But this journey doesn’t have to be walked alone. At Be True Coaching, LLC, I specialize in helping individuals like you embrace their authenticity, develop deeper relationships, and create a life filled with purpose and fulfillment. Together, we’ll explore your unique strengths, align your vision with actionable goals, and help
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