In Part 1of this three-part blog series, we discussed the importance of identifying our passion as a driving force for living a fulfilled life. What we are passionate about helps us build connection with the world and is a way to derive meaning from our experiences; perhaps even gives us reason to get up and start anew every day. What we need in order to act on our passion or even engage with it is our super powers.
What is your SUPER POWER?
The constant inundation with comparisons and an over-emphasis on modesty (particularly for women) can lead us to downplay our own achievements and discredit things that we are very knowledgable, accomplished, and competent in. These are not just hard skills, but soft skills too. For example, some people have incredible patience, empathy, nurturing for specific demographics of people such as the elderly, children, or special needs populations. Some people are very kinesthetically and mechanically oriented: they can quickly and intuitively take something apart and put it back together even better than they found it. Other people are good at negotiation, interpretation, or moderation.
Whatever your super powers (and you likely have more than one) identify a list. of what they are. What do you feel confident that you are good at? If someone were to ask you to help them, what would they likely ask you for help with? It's important to take pride in the unique combination of abilities we bring to the table. This is how we can contribute to a greater cause - be it our job, our family, or our communities.
If we are to build the life that we want for ourselves, we need to capitalize on the skills that we have in multiple contexts to foster the greater connection that we seek.
What leaves you feeling POWER-LESS?
Inversely, we are not good at everything - nor should we be. Acknowledging what we are not good at does two powerful things for us:
it gives us permission and guidance about when and what to ask for help with
it allows us to seek, see, and appreciate the complementary talents of others that we ask for help from.
Playing to our strengths is a real strategy, as is recognizing that we don't have to go it alone. We live better in relation with others and when we show that we know how to ask for help, it also builds trust with other people that they can ask for help in return. Make a list of the things that you would benefit from asking for help with.
If perhaps we don't have a resource for asking for help with something, by acknowledging what we are not good at or struggle with, we also give ourselves permission to look for opportunities to upskill. Perhaps you need to learn a new skillset or practice what you don't have a lot of experience in.
As you look at your two lists: you super powers and the things that make you feel power-less, how do these apply to your current lifestyle? Are you spending more time on the things that you struggle with or the things that you are confident in? Are there people that you could engage with to help you redistribute your time to be more beneficial to your super powers and your passions? How do you think you could better apply your super powers to what you are passionate about?
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