As my family and boyfriend likes to say, one of my favorite things to talk about is myself. I don’t know if I agree with this completely, because I talk an awfully lot about literature and food. Mostly just food, to be honest.

But anyways, back to the subject of myself, I think this interest may stem from my family structure.  I am the oldest child of my siblings, and the only girl. What this means, is that I often get what I want, when I want it. I may be a bit bossy and controlling if the previous sentence doesn’t happen at my leisure (I heard that “amen” from my family all the way from Nebraska to Kansas).

Now, as a writer, it’s crucial that I don’t just write blindly. I have to actually know what I’m talking about, and if I don’t, I have to consult Dr. Google or Professor Encyclopedia (wait, how old am I?) to gain the information needed so I don’t come across as illiterate or uneducated. I would hate for my voice to be misrepresented with illegitimate facts or misleading information.  Many people in this world, apparently, don’t feel the same.

Anyways, so in order for me to write about “life through the eyes of an eighteen year old” (soon to be nineteen, if you aren’t aware) I must research myself, and learn about why Madeleine Rheinheimer behaves, thinks, and feels the way she does.

The message for day seventeen is to ask yourself questions and get to know who you are. Find out what you like. What you don’t like. What gets you excited. What makes you angry. What motivates you. What scares you. And most importantly, how you can make yourself happy, everyday. Because you deserve that.

My father introduced me to StrengthsFinders an online test that determines one’s key attributes, themes, and talents. This test focuses on building strength rather than pointing out weakness, and it really helped me develop as a writer, a teenage girl, and just a person of this world.

If you know a little about me, you will understand that my top three themes of achievement, discipline, and focus begin to paint a picture of why I’m the way I am. The characteristics of these three, according to http://www.leadershipvisionconsulting.com/how-i-use-my-strengthsfinder-strengths-of-focus-and-achiever-to-get-stuff-done/ (I highly recommend checking out this website once you discover your strengths) include:

-Working hard, and gaining momentum with accomplishing more and more work.

-A particular motivation, drive, and determination to achieve something with her time.

-Likes to plan, organize, structure, and execute efficiently.

-Has a very clear and defined destination with their thinking

-Has a guiding  force that gives their life direction, meaning and purpose.

-Is impatient with delays, obstacles, or tangents that have the potential to divert their ability to stay the course.

Reading the above list really impacted me, because with each statement I said “YES THATS SO ME!” even more passionately. Once you recognize your personality and strengths, you can offer the world so much more than stumbling numbingly blind through everyday. Take the time to get to know yourself today.

Sincerely,

Madeleine