Unlocking Your Potential: A Personal SWOT Analysis Guide

Creating a personal swot analysis can be a valuable exercise for self assessment and planing. We can all be judgemental of others , but how do we truly view ourselves? Are we happy with where we are or do we have a goal of who we would like to be ? Do we ever stop to consider how we can become the version of ourselves that we once thought we would be at this stage in life ? Here is a step by step guide to creating you own swot analysis.

1. Strengths

Identify your positive attributes, skills, experience and resources that set you apart, consider things like -

• skills- what are you good at ? What unique abilities do you possess

• Experience- what relevant experience do you have?

• Education - what degrees, certification or qualifications do you hold?

• Personal qualities- what personal traits contribute to your success?

• Resources - what tangible and intangible resources do you have access to?

2. Weaknesses

Be honest about your areas of improvement or limitations , consider -

• Skill gaps- what skills or knowledge do you lack?

• Personal habits - Are there habits or behaviors holding you back?

• Experience Gaps - What areas do you have limiting experience in?

• Limitations- Are there any personal constraints, such as time or financial constraints?

• Feedback - Consider feedback from peers, mentors or performance reviews.

3. Opportunities

Identify external factors or situations that you could leverage to your advantage , look for -

• Market trends- What trends in your industry could you capitalize on ?

• Networking- Are there opportunities to expand your network ?

• Technology - How can emerging technologies benefit you ?

• Training and Education - What opportunities exist for further learning or skill development ?

• Market gaps - are there gaps in the market or unmet needs you could address?

4. Threats

Recognize potential challenges or obstacles that could hinder your progress, these might be-

• Competition - Who are your competitors, and what advantages do they have?

• Economical factors - How might economical downturns affect your goals?

• Technology changes - Are there technological advancements that could make your skills obsolete?

• External Challenges - Political, environmental or regulatory changes that could impact your plans.

• Personal challenges- Health issues, family commitments or other personal factors that could affect your progress?

5. Analysis

Once you've identified your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, analyse the relationships between them. Look for ways to leverage your strengths to capitalize on opportunities, mitigate weaknesses and counteract threats. Develop strategies to maximize your strengths and opportunities while minimizing weaknesses and threats.

6. Action Plan

Based on your analysis, develop an action plan with specific goals and objectives. Outline the steps you need to take to build on your strengths, address your weaknesses, seize opportunities and mitigate threats. Set time lines and mile stones to track your progress and adjust your plan as needed.

7. Review and update

Regularly review and update your swot analysis to reflect changes in your circumstances, industry trends or personal goals. Continuously assess your progress and adjust your strategies to stay aligned with your objectives.

By following these steps, you can create a comprehensive personal swot analysis to gain insights into your strengths, weaknesses and threats, develop strategies and to achieve your goals effectively.

Swot analysis plan of action

Creating a plan of action based on your personal swot analysis involves leveraging your strengths, addressing your weaknesses, capitalizing on opportunities and mitigating threats- here is a structured approach.

1. Strengths

• Leverage- Identify how you can maximize your strengths in various areas.

• Action - Allocate more time and resources to activities where your strengths are most applicable

• Example - If you're good at communication, take on leadership roles or projects that require strong interpersonal skills

2. Weaknesses

• Improvement - target areas for improvement and develop strategies to enhance your weaknesses.

• Action - Seek opportunities for learning and skill development.

• Example - If you lack technical skills, enroll in relevant courses or seek mentorship to improve.

3. Opportunities

• Exploitation - Identify ways to capitalize on external opportunities.

• Action - Develop plans to take advantage of favorable circumstances.

• Example - If there is growing demands for a skill you possess, consider specializing in that area or expanding your network within related industries.

4. Threats

• Mitigation- Determine how to minimize the impact of potential threats.

• Action - Develop contingency plans and diversify your options.

• Example - If automation threatens your job role, explore opportunities to up-skill in areas less susceptible to automation or diversify your skill set.

5. Overall plan of action

• Set goals - Based on your analysis, establish specific, measurable,, achievable , relevant and time bound goals

• Prioritize actions- Determine which actions are most critical and prioritize them accordingly.

• Allocate resources - Allocate time, energy and resources effectively to achieve your goals.

• Monitor progress - Regularly assess your progress and personal development .

Planing the future you want , focusing on your goals and taking steps to become the best version of yourself is so fulfilling , it gives us a sense of achievement, if you are not totally satisfied with where you are in all aspects of your life perhaps this short guide can help to point you in the right direction. Good luck .

xx Lei