Seeing What’s Already in Your Corner
If you’re like most people, you probably think more about what you don’t have than what you do. It’s natural — we’re trained to notice gaps, shortages, and what’s missing. But when you focus only on the deficits, you miss the assets. And those assets — your advantages — are what make progress faster, decisions easier, and opportunities more possible.
Your advantages are anything that gives you a head start, an edge, or a unique ability to make progress. Some are obvious: your education, your network, your resources. Others are subtle: your curiosity, your ability to stay calm under pressure, your unusual life experiences, or even the setbacks that taught you lessons others haven’t yet learned.
Why People Ignore Their Advantages
Many people shy away from identifying their advantages because they feel guilty about them — as if noticing them is boasting or being unfair. Or they simply assume that whatever they have isn’t special: “Doesn’t everyone know this? Doesn’t everyone have access to this?”
No — they don’t. And pretending they do doesn’t help you or anyone else. In fact, it keeps you from using what you have to its fullest.
Making an Inventory of Advantage
Here’s a quick way to start: grab a piece of paper and divide it into five categories. For each, write down everything that comes to mind — big or small.
- Knowledge & Skills: What do you know or do well that others might not?
- Relationships & Networks: Who do you know that could help, support, or guide you?
- Experiences & Lessons: What have you been through that shaped you and gave you insight?
- Resources & Access: What tools, technology, or opportunities do you already have within reach?
- Traits & Habits: What personal qualities give you a natural edge — persistence, empathy, focus, humor?
At first, your list might look short. But keep going. The more you write, the more you’ll realize that you have more advantages than you thought.
This Is Just Step One
This first step — identifying what’s in your corner — is about awareness. You’re not committing to use every advantage yet (that’s what we’ll tackle next). You’re simply shining a light on the playing field so you can see where you stand.
Closing Thought
The truth is, you can’t use what you can’t see. And you can’t grow what you don’t acknowledge. Knowing your advantages is not arrogance — it’s clarity.
Start your inventory today. The next post in this series will challenge you to decide: Are you willing to use what you’ve got?
Momentum Move
Make your personal advantage inventory today. Fill in at least three items in each category (knowledge, relationships, experiences, resources, traits). Don’t filter or downplay them — just write until you surprise yourself.
