Why Social Entrepreneurs Need To Continuously Conduct a Self-SWOT

One thing you need to keep in mind as you’re working towards reaching your goals is that things do not stay the same. People change, laws change, and you yourself move through transitions in life, both personally and professionally.

Since things are always changing, you need to do a good self examination on a regular bases so that you’re always doing your personal best regardless of the circumstances.

As a social entrepreneur, you want to always be “on” and ready at all times, which is why I suggest that you continuously do a self-SWOT.

What is SWOT?

SWOT is a term that is used in business to evaluate where your company stands when it comes to Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. So in this case, instead of evaluating a business, you’re evaluating yourself.

To conduct a self-SWOT, ask yourself about each of the four areas that need to be examined:

What are your strengths?

What are your weaknesses?

What opportunities are available for you to take advantage of?

What threats do you need to overcome (what things do you see will be a challenge in your life)?

Write your answers down, and make sure that you’re being honest with yourself. Also, do not limit yourself to how things are for you professionally; make sure that you take everything about you – including how things are going for you personally – into account.

Next, take a look at what you wrote down and have uncovered about yourself, and use that information to identify actions you can take that will put you in a better position to reach your goals.

How Often Should You Do a Self-SWOT?

It’s important that you do a self-SWOT every two years or so to keep yourself on track and ready to take on anything. You also want to make sure that what you’re doing is in alignment with the person that you become over time.

To use myself as an example: After doing a self-SWOT, I decided to name my new company New Season because I wanted to continue to teach and inspire; this is what I had been doing all my career and in my family life.

I wanted to continue to do leadership and be a social entrepreneur. I wanted to continue to do collaborations and community problem solving because that’s what I am, that’s what I do…but, I’m in a new season of life where things are different, where I view things differently, and where I’m viewed differently.

After 40-some years of experience in work, I have a life leadership story, and it’s a story and experience that I want to share. So, I’m in a new season.

As time goes on, you will be in a new season in your life too; which is why it’s very important that you continue to take a look at yourself and do an assessment of your strengths, weaknesses, the opportunities in your life, and the things that will be challenging to you – the so-called threats.