Asset Based Thinking

Yesterday in my Creative Thinking class our professor spent the class time discussing Asset Based Thinking and Deficit Based Thinking. He wasn't really describing these thinking concepts in terms of finance or accounting, but more in terms of how people think of themselves.

He described Deficit Based Thinking as knowing of those things that you don't want to do, while Asset Based Thinking (ABT) asks what your strengths and talents are that God has given you and how can you use those with your God-given mighty cause.

Asset Based Thinking takes those things that are personal assets - those gifts, talents, and abilities that God has give you - and considers how they might make your signature presence known. I really enjoyed learning about this concept of signature presence. How do people perceive you? What footmark do you leave in a room? By understanding more of those gifts that God has given you, you can leave a stronger presence.

All of this leads to your mighty cause. Not necessary a vision, but a mighty cause - something that you can begin working on today. Something that drives you, that you're passionate about. So many times I've heard people say they want to do something, make a global impact, do something that leaves them fulfilled, but never start toward that goal. Having a mighty cause forces a person to begin doing something now. If the mighty cause is to change a city, people have to start somewhere. Research needs to be done. You can start in your own city or town. The point of the mighty cause is to start, no matter how small, and begin building a bridge to that bigger cause.

I had never really considered Asset Based Thinking much...I know a lot of what I don't want to do, but to begin thinking towards those areas that I am gifted in and blending them together with a mighty cause can really impact the rest of my life. I hope you will be able to take some time today to think about ABT, your signature presence, and your mighty cause - it could just change your life.