Jane is an amazing photographer, but her family feels her photography skills aren’t going to help her earn a living. Consequently, she was offered a job in her sister-in-law Kerry’s company calling clients to collect on invoices. After several months, both Jane and Kerry realized they’d had enough of each other. Jane once again feels like a total failure, and Kerry has an even bigger problem than before with clients not paying on time.

What are some lessons to learn from this scenario? There are of course the standard cautionary tales about hiring your family. But more important, this scenario shows the consequences of failing to draw from your innate strengths when choosing your career path. Here are three ways Jane could find a more fulfilling and lucrative career by using her innate strengths.

1. Leverage your innate strengths—even if those closest to you have no appreciation for who you are (which is more often than not the case). Every single one of us has unique strengths that, when used correctly, help us create more success, fulfillment, and happiness in life. The more you know how to build off your strengths, the more value you create for both yourself and others.

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