All About You — Day 12: What Are You Good At?

Monday, August 18th 2008 by Shanel Yang         Email this article to a friend

[For “Day 11: What Do You Want?,” click here.]

ALL ABOUT YOU — DAY 12:

WHAT ARE YOU GOOD AT?

One way to figure out what you love (or, more specifically, what you could do for a living that you would truly love for the rest of your life) is to ask yourself what are all the things that you think you are “naturally” good at.

Why is this helpful? The truth is that most of us aren’t “naturally” good at anything, i.e., if that means everyone is somehow born to be an athlete, brain surgeon, scientist, etc. We are, however, naturally interested in some things more than others. Those interests are most likely related to our Big 5 Personality Traits as well as all the other early childhood influences we discussed in Part 1 of this “All About You!” series, including childhood happiness, traumas, and triumphs.

Actually, most things we think we are “naturally” good at are usually nothing more and nothing less than things we naturally , and, thus, that you “practiced” to become better at those things than other things that didn’t interest you as much. So let’s take a look at your natural interests for clues to your true calling in life!

BRAINSTORMING EXERCISE

1. Preparation

Clear your mind of all other thoughts. If stray thoughts not related to this exercise wander into your mind, let them drift right back out of your mind without paying any special attention to it. (If you think it’s something important that you’re afraid to forget later, just jot it down quickly and let it out of your thoughts again.)

2. Let it All Flow Freely

Use paper or the computer. Whatever is more comfortable for you. Jot down or type everything. Don’t cross out or delete anything (even if you suspect you might have already recorded it). Don’t reread your answers either (or check if you already recorded it) because doing so will break the flow. Just keep going. Ask yourself the question repeatedly and write down every answer that pops into your mind.

Complete this sentence: “I am good at …”

a. Stay in the Present

There are probably hundreds of possible answers to this question. I list below the ones that immediately came to my mind as the answers that different people might come up with. Don’t judge yourself based on your own answers. That’s not the point of this exercise. The words you choose are merely clues to help you see and start to understand the bigger picture of who you are right now, right here—as well as who you no longer are or who you would like to be but have not become yet.

b. Possible Answers

talking
reading
writing
explaining
describing
teaching
elaborating
giving examples
giving details
analyzing
sleeping
critiquing
cleaning
listening
focusing
concentrating
breathing deeply
fasting
dieting
changing habits
following instructions
following directions
driving
drawing
handwriting
creative writing
memorizing
recalling things
studying
researching
learning
hiking
climbing
working
taking orders
giving orders
supervising
delegating
multitasking
making decisions
skiing
dancing
singing
reading people
reading minds
imagining
walking
lifting weights
doing cardio workouts
stretching
brainstorming
impromptu exercises
talking to kids
caring for kids
taking care of kids
teaching kids
playing with kids
entertaining kids
telling stories
role playing
improvisation
petting animals
sitting up straight
standing straight
walking straight
eye contact
body language
looking professional
acting professional
keeping promises
keeping secrets
CYA (”cover your ass”) tactics
critical/logical thinking
giving presentations
giving speeches
asking questions
answering questions
clear communication
giving instructions
giving feedback
making lists
prioritizing
getting things done
seeing the big picture
planning ahead
solving problems
holding meetings
leadding meetings
monitoring meetings
thinking up new ideas
developing new skills

TO BE CONTINUED …

This is going to be an adventurous journey into our past, present, and future lives. None of us can be prepared for what we might find along the way. So, just sit back and enjoy the ride! Also, I hope at least some of you brave souls will share your answers, insights, and revelations in the comments below for everyone’s benefit!

When you’re done, collect your answers and keep them in a safe place. I recommend a diary. It makes a precious gift to someone you love, especially you!

[For “Day 13: What Do You Love?,” click here.]

[For entire “All About You!” series, click here.]

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[For “My 10 Commandments,” click here.]

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