Maximising 2025 (3): Using SWOT Analysis for Personal Growth

By Maxwell Oyekunle

I know a lot of us have heard of SWOT analysis and some of the people who have, might be like, it is for businesses and organisations, but it’s a fantastic tool for personal growth too!

So, for the benefit of those who don’t what it is about let’s do a quick breakdown.

What is SWOT analysis?

SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool that helps individuals, teams, or organizations assess their current position and develop strategies for growth and improvement.

It examines four key areas: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats:

• Strengths (S): Internal factors that give you an advantage over others.
• Weaknesses (W): Internal factors that put you at a disadvantage.
• Opportunities (O): External factors you can exploit to your advantage.
• Threats (T): External factors that could cause trouble for you.

Here are a few tips for conducting a SWOT analysis.

A. Strengths:

1. What do you do well?
2. What unique resources or skills do you possess?
3. What do others see as your strengths?

Examples: Strong communication skills, high emotional intelligence, technical expertise in your field, strong work ethic, unusual insight/perspective into issues.

B. Weaknesses:

Definition: Internal factors that hinder your growth or success.

1. What skills or knowledge do you lack?
2. Where do you feel insecure or underperform?
3. What feedback have you received about areas for improvement?
4. What areas need improvement?
5. What disadvantages might hinder your success?

Examples: Difficulty with time management, lack of public speaking confidence, limited experience in leadership roles, struggles with adapting to change.

C. Opportunities:

Definition: External factors you can leverage for growth or success.

1. What trends or changes can you capitalize on?
   1. Are there unmet needs or gaps in the market?
   1. How can you leverage partnerships or external support?

Examples: Growing demand for a specific skill in your industry, availability of online courses or certifications, networking opportunities at conferences, mentorship programs

D. Threats:

Definition: External factors that could hinder your progress.

1. What obstacles do you face?
2. Who are your competitors, and what advantages do they have?
3. What external factors could negatively impact you?

Examples: Economic downturns, industry disruption, changing consumer preferences, intense competition for jobs, industry automation reducing job roles, lack of career advancement in your current role.

Evaluating your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats can give you fresh insights and help you plan for 2025.

1. Play to Your Strengths: What are you great at? Maybe it’s public speaking, problem-solving, or staying calm under pressure. Recognize these strengths and use them to your advantage.
2. Face Your Weaknesses: Be honest about where you could improve. Whether it’s time management or asking for help, knowing your weaknesses is the first step to overcoming them. Identify areas where you struggle or feel insecure. Accept them without self-judgment; everyone has areas for improvement. View them as opportunities for growth. Focus on one area at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Remember, no one is perfect. Strengthening your weaknesses doesn’t mean erasing them entirely.
3. Spot Opportunities: Look for external factors that could boost your success. Is there a new skill you’ve been meaning to learn or a mentor you can connect with? Opportunities often lie in solving problems. Ask yourself, what are people around me complaining about? What inefficiencies exist in the systems or processes currently in use?
4. Prepare for Threats: Identify potential roadblocks. It might be weaknesses within yourself, your team, or your resources. It might be financial challenges, procrastination, or changes in your industry. Evaluate how severe the consequences of each threat could be. Prepare backup plans for high-impact threats.

Answer these questions:

1. What is the worst-case scenario?
2. What actions will mitigate the damage?

Having a plan to handle these makes them less daunting and terrifying.

Once you’ve done your SWOT analysis, revisit it every few months.

It’s a handy way to stay prepared, adaptable, focused and fired up throughout the year.

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