SWOT Analysis of Yourself

A SWOT analysis is a marketing tool that allows you to assess a company, a team and even yourself. You identify Strengths (S), Weaknesses (W), Opportunities (O) and Threats (T). This will give you an overview of what you are analyzing, allowing you to create a road map of sorts to direct marketing efforts, team project participation and personal growth. Doing a SWOT analysis on yourself can help direct you in your career, relationships and your own personal growth. It is well-worth the time to sit down and analyze these areas in your life.

Understand the Analysis

While the analysis itself is broken into four areas, these areas are actually contained under two categories. The first part of the analysis, the SW or Strengths and Weaknesses, falls under the internal category. You need to assess your own strengths and weaknesses. The second part of the analysis, the OT or Opportunities and Threats, falls under the external category. These areas should contain your assessment of external factors that affect you.

As you sit down to do a SWOT analysis of yourself, create a two-column table with two columns under each heading. Under the Internal Analysis column, place a column for strengths and another for weaknesses. Under the External Analysis column, place a column for opportunities and another for threats. Then you can list them and get a good picture of yourself or your situation. It helps, though, to narrow your SWOT analysis to one area at a time, such as career, personal growth, relationships or whatever area you choose.

S: Strengths

What strengths do you possess? Are you very good with computers? Are you very nurturing in a relationship? Once you have pinpointed the area or areas that you want to focus on, begin listing your strengths in that area. Each of your lists will feed into each other. As you identify strengths, you may spot weaknesses that directly contrast. As you look at opportunities, it may spark some strengths that you had forgotten. Threats can reveal weaknesses or even strengths. Just keep your mind open and remain realistic. List your strengths, what you can bring to the table in whatever context you have chosen to create this analysis.

W: Weaknesses

Everyone has weaknesses. Sometimes a weakness is just an untapped or undirected strength. Other times you just plain aren't very good at something. Whatever weakness you identify, though, you usually have a corresponding strength to pick it up. However, knowing your weaknesses will help you identify areas in your job, a project or a relationship where you know you need work or special accommodations. It may also mean that you need to steer clear of those situations. It is really a judgment call on your part.

O: Opportunities

Opportunities in your SWOT analysis on yourself can come in many forms. If you are analyzing yourself in a career context, you can consider your education, training, job market and networking contacts. This part of the analysis allows you to identify areas that may present possibilities and prospects for advancement and growth.

T: Threats

Threats are a vital part of your SWOT analysis on yourself. Some may feel that this portion of the analysis is not good because it focuses on negatives in your environment. In fact, it has several benefits. By identifying the threats that exist in your life pertaining to your personal growth, relationships, career or whatever area you are concentrating on, you can head them off and even turn some of them into opportunities. Identifying your threats help you recognize areas where you need to focus a little more and anticipate barriers and challenges.

References

• Quick MBA--SWOT Analysis
• SmartCode--SWOT Analysis Flow Chart