Embracing Your Strengths for a More Fulfilling Life
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to focus on what you can’t do, or what you think you “should” improve? For so many women in their fifties and sixties, years have been spent honing skills, juggling roles, and meeting expectations, often without pausing to celebrate what makes us truly shine. But what if the key to a more purposeful, joyful life after fifty isn’t about fixing weaknesses, but about embracing your unique strengths?
The Power of Strengths in Life After Fifty
Research in positive psychology consistently shows that when we lean into our strengths—those natural talents, skills, and qualities that energise us—we experience greater confidence, fulfilment, and resilience. People who know and use their strengths every day are six times more likely to be engaged at work and three times more likely to report having an excellent quality of life.
Life after fifty is a particularly powerful time to rediscover and embrace your strengths. Why? Because you bring decades of experience, wisdom, and self-awareness. This isn’t about starting over—it’s about starting from a place of deep knowing and choosing to build your next chapter on what already makes you strong.
My Own Journey: Letting Strengths Lead the Way
When I found myself at a career crossroads in my fifties, I was surrounded by change. The roles that had once defined me—caring for my ageing parents, leading teams, managing a bustling household—were shifting. Like so many women in their fifties and sixties, I felt the familiar uncertainty of, “What’s next for me?” I’d like to be able to say that my response was, “Instead of focusing on what was missing, I made a conscious choice to focus on what was already strong within me.” But the truth is that I doubted myself. How could I possibly change careers at this age? But in the midst of all this doubt, what I knew for sure was that something had to change.
After feeling a bit lost and sorry for myself, I purposefully began to reflect on the moments when I felt most energised and effective. I reached out to friends and colleagues for honest feedback about what they saw as my true gifts. I also took several strengths assessments, which helped me see my abilities in a new light.
What emerged was a clear pattern: my empathy and caring for others, my love of mentoring in the workplace, my passion for translating research into practical, everyday resources, and my joy in facilitating groups where women can connect and grow. By identifying these strengths, I was able to see not just what I’d done in the past, but what I wanted to carry forward.
This process didn’t just boost my confidence—it gave me direction. It helped me see that my next chapter didn’t have to look like my last. Instead, I could build a life and career that allowed me to use my strengths every day. That’s what led me to the work I do now: creating empowering spaces for women after fifty to discover their own strengths, step into new possibilities, and flourish on their own terms.
Focusing on my strengths didn’t just help me find my way—it helped me become more of who I truly am.
Why Focus on Strengths?
You might be wondering, “Shouldn’t I be working on my weaknesses?” It’s a common belief, but research tells a different story. When we focus on strengths, we’re more likely to:
Feel energised and engaged
Experience greater satisfaction and meaning
Build confidence to try new things
Navigate challenges with resilience
Make a bigger impact—at home, at work, and in our communities
When you lean into your strengths, you’re operating from a place of power and confidence. You’re more likely to succeed, feel fulfilled, and make a real impact.
Five Ways To Discover Your Strengths After Fifty
Ready to get started? Here are a few steps to help you uncover and embrace your strengths:
1. Reflect on Your Past Successes
Think back to times when you felt truly alive and accomplished. What were you doing? What skills or qualities were you using? These moments are clues to your core strengths.
2. Ask for Feedback
Sometimes, others see strengths in us that we overlook. Reach out to trusted friends, family, or colleagues and ask them what they think you’re great at. You might be surprised by what you hear!
3. Try New Things
Life after fifty is the perfect time to experiment. Take that painting class, join a hiking group, or volunteer for a cause you care about. You might uncover hidden talents and passions.
4. Pay Attention to Your Energy
Notice what activities make you lose track of time or give you a buzz of excitement. These are often closely linked to your strengths.
5. Take a Free Strengths Assessment
There are several excellent (and free) online tools that can help you identify your strengths:
HIGH5 Test: A free, intuitive strengths assessment that reveals your top 5 strengths and offers actionable insights. Take the HIGH5 Test here.
VIA Character Strengths Survey: Focuses on character strengths like gratitude, curiosity, and perseverance, and is widely used in positive psychology research. Take the VIA Survey here.
Strengths Profile Free Starter: Reveals your top 3 realised strengths, 3 unrealised strengths, and more. Try it here.
Gyfted StrengthsFinder Test: A concise, free ranking assessment inspired by Gallup’s StrengthsFinder. Try it here.
Each tool offers a different perspective—try one or two and see what resonates!
Putting Your Strengths to Work
Once you’ve identified your strengths, the real magic happens when you start using them intentionally. Here are a few ways to bring your strengths into daily life:
Set a Strengths-Based Goal: Instead of focusing on what you “should” do, ask, “How can I use my strengths to move closer to what matters most?”
Share Your Strengths: Let others know what you’re good at and enjoy. This can open doors to new opportunities and collaborations.
Reframe Challenges: When facing a difficulty, ask, “Which of my strengths can help me navigate this?”
Celebrate Your Wins: Take time to acknowledge when you’ve used a strength well, no matter how small the moment.
Strengths in Community
One of the most rewarding parts of my work is seeing women light up as they recognise and celebrate each other’s strengths. When we name and honour what’s best in ourselves and in others, we create a ripple effect of confidence, creativity, and connection.
Closing Reflection
Embracing your strengths isn’t about ignoring your challenges—it’s about building on a foundation of what’s already working. It’s about trusting that you have everything you need to create a purposeful, fulfilling next chapter.
So, what are your strengths?
What’s one way you can use them to bring more meaning and joy into your life this week?
How Life On Your Terms Supports Women After Fifty
If you’re ready to put your strengths into action and design a life that truly reflects who you are now, I invite you to explore the Life On Your Terms program. This small-group experience is specifically designed for women in their fifties and sixties—women navigating transitions, seeking new meaning, or simply wanting to live more authentically in midlife and beyond.
In Life On Your Terms, you’ll:
Discover and celebrate your unique strengths with the support of like-minded women in the same life stage
Learn how to use your strengths to navigate change, set meaningful goals, and move forward with greater clarity and confidence
Receive practical tools, guided reflections, and gentle accountability to help you take inspired action—at your own pace
Be part of a warm, empowering community where your story, experience, and wisdom are valued
Many participants share that this program was the first time they truly saw their strengths as assets for this chapter—not just for others, but for themselves. If you’re ready to stop second-guessing and start flourishing in the years after fifty, I’d love to welcome you into our next group.
Ready to take the next step?
Learn more and register for Life On Your Terms here.
Your strengths are the foundation for everything that comes next. Build your next chapter—on your terms, and in the company of women who understand the unique journey of life after fifty.