How Do You Know If You’re Actually Growing?

Have you ever tried to get better at something and wondered, “Am I even making progress?”

It’s a common question—especially when you’re working on developing your strengths. Growth doesn’t always feel linear, and it can be hard to know whether you’re moving forward or just spinning your wheels.

In this blog, we’ll talk about why tracking your strengths development matters, how it helps you stay focused, and some simple ways to measure progress without overcomplicating the process.

Why Track Your Strengths Growth?

You don’t need to obsess over metrics—but checking in on how your strengths are developing can help you lead and live with more clarity, energy, and direction. Here’s why:

You Build Awareness

Tracking strengths helps you see where you’re thriving and where you need more support. It keeps you honest, grounded, and aware of how you actually show up day to day.

You Stay Motivated

Working from your strengths feels energizing. And when you start to see real growth—like leading a smoother meeting or giving clearer feedback—it boosts your belief in what’s possible.

You Set Better Goals

When you know what’s working, you can set goals that stretch and support you instead of overwhelming you. Progress becomes more intentional and less accidental.

You Create a Feedback Loop

Self-reflection and feedback help you adjust as you grow. When you pause to look back and assess, you get better at moving forward with purpose.

Practical Ways to Track Strengths Development

Here are a few tools and strategies you can try—use what fits and leave the rest.

1. Take the CliftonStrengths® Assessment

Start with clarity. This tool gives you language for your natural talents so you can build from a strong foundation.

2. Set Strengths-Aligned Goals

Instead of setting generic goals, build them around your strengths. Example: If you lead with “Communication”, set a goal to lead a team update each week. If you lead with “Relator”, aim to deepen 1:1 connections with your team this month.

3. Keep a Strengths Journal

Track how you’re using your strengths in real life—when they show up, how they helped, and where you’d like to use them more.

4. Ask for Feedback

Reach out to trusted colleagues or mentors. Ask, “Where have you seen me at my best lately?” or “What’s something I’ve improved in recently?”

5. Reflect Regularly

Check in weekly or monthly. What’s working? What’s challenging? What patterns are emerging? These simple reflections build awareness and momentum.

6. Measure What Matters

Not everything can (or should) be measured—but if it helps, try tracking time saved, stress reduced, feedback received, or personal confidence levels over time.

7. Celebrate the Small Wins

Don’t wait for massive breakthroughs. Noticing and naming small moments of progress builds confidence and keeps you engaged.

8. Keep Learning

Growth is ongoing. Read, listen, take a workshop, or book a coaching session to deepen how you use your strengths in real-world situations.

Wrap-Up

Tracking your growth doesn’t mean micromanaging it. It just means staying in relationship with it.

When you pause to notice what’s working, you give yourself the insight—and the credit—you deserve. You move from guessing to growing with intention.

Ready to take that first step? Take the CliftonStrengths Assessment now.

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