SOAR Assessment: A Simple Way to Grow Your Skills and Reach Goals

Ever feel stuck trying to figure out what to improve next? The SOAR assessment breaks the process into four bite‑size pieces – Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results. It’s a quick, practical tool you can use at work, in school, or for personal projects. Let’s walk through each part and see how you can turn the insights into real progress.

1. Identify Your Strengths

Start with what you already do well. Grab a notebook or a digital note and list the skills, habits, or traits that get you compliments or good results. Be honest – the goal isn’t to boast, but to spot the assets you can lean on. For example, you might notice you’re great at organizing data, communicating clearly, or staying calm under pressure. Once you have a clear picture, think about how these strengths can support the other SOAR sections.

2. Spot Opportunities

Next, look for gaps or chances for improvement. Ask yourself: where do I see friction? Where could a new skill open a door? Opportunities can be internal (a new project at work) or external (a market trend you want to tap). Write down the top three that feel most urgent. If you’re a marketer, an opportunity might be mastering a new analytics platform. If you’re a student, it could be joining a study group to boost collaboration.

Link each opportunity back to a strength. Imagine you’re strong at data analysis – that makes learning a new analytics tool less daunting. This pairing builds confidence and gives you a clear path forward.

3. Set Clear Aspirations

Aspirations are your “why.” They should be specific, inspiring, and time‑bound. Instead of a vague goal like “get better at Excel,” aim for “create a weekly dashboard that tracks project KPIs by the end of Q3.” Write one short‑term and one long‑term aspiration. Make sure they align with both your strengths and the opportunities you identified.

Visualize the end result – picture yourself presenting that dashboard to your manager and getting positive feedback. The clearer the picture, the easier it is to stay motivated.

4. Measure Results

Finally, decide how you’ll know you succeeded. Pick simple metrics: a completed report, a certification earned, a sales target hit. Record progress weekly or monthly, and adjust if you’re off track. Celebrate small wins – they reinforce the habit of tracking results and keep the momentum going.

Using the SOAR framework isn’t a one‑time event. Revisit it every few months, tweak the items, and watch how your growth accelerates. The real power is in the loop: strengths fuel opportunities, opportunities shape aspirations, and results prove you’re moving forward.

Give the SOAR assessment a try today. Grab a pen, spend 15 minutes writing down each section, and you’ll have a roadmap that feels both realistic and exciting. You’ll know exactly where to focus, what to learn, and how to celebrate your wins. Ready to unlock your potential? Start your SOAR journey now.