Everyone has a unique gift, something that is just undeniably you and is very useful to those around you. It’s much more than a skill, it is an ingrained strength fueled by your deepest passions, and nurtured by an unwavering sense of purpose. Yet, many people struggle to recognize the special qualities and talents they carry within as being of any real importance. It may not always be obvious to you that the things you have a natural flair for may very well be the thing you’re meant to do in your life. If you are confused about finding your gifts, here are some ways through which you can do that.
Revisit Your Childhood
You have probably heard this before. That’s because it works. Think back as far as you can, to pre-school days if possible. Think back to times when you weren’t influenced by peers or fears. Back to times when your parents’ expectations of you didn’t go beyond you playing and exploring in a safe environment. What did you do? How did you fill your days? What activities or experiences created the greatest memories? What was the most fun? The common thread in there is a message that, with a little reinterpreting to fit your adult world, will propel you down the path toward your unique gift.
What are you passionate about as an adult?
What lights you up and gets you totally motivated? What kinds of things do you enjoy doing so much that you lose track of time? What things do you do without finding them stressful? Or without feeling like you are actually working?
Take some time off
This is the extreme of creating space. If you find creating space in your daily life difficult, or if you have created space and are ready to go to the next level, go solo for a week. Go camping, be alone for a week. No distractions. Start listening. After you overcome the fear of being alone with yourself, you will start to hear.
What is important to you about life?
When you think about the different areas of life (like health, career, family, relationship, personal development, spirituality/religion, recreation), make a list of all the things that are important to you in each of these categories. This will give you a list of your values broken down by area. Combined, they represent your life values—what is important to you about life in general. Knowing your values helps direct you towards your passion and purpose.
Re-Engineer Your Job
You don’t have to switch jobs or your profession to find (or honor) your unique gift, though those are possibilities. Start by pulling out your current job description. Identify everything you really enjoy doing, and everything that you have to do but would prefer not to do. Next, identify items that are not part of your job description that you would like to do. Now that you’ve distinguished the wants from the shoulds, start to rebuild your job into the “perfect” job.
6. Ask your family and friends.
Friends, family, associates, or trusted advisors get to observe you in ways that you cannot observe yourself. Their insights can be valuable, revealing, endorsing, and reinforcing. Many times, their observations have greater clarity than self-analysis that is surrounded by a fog of self-talk. Ask some close observers about your strengths, skills, and unique talents. They may not nail your unique gift, but they will offer clues.
In summary, everyone has something unique to offer. Give yourself the opportunity to find it. If you find it difficult to find it yourself, get a coach or find some like-minded folks to help out. A fulfilling life will emerge from a conscientious approach to living and sharing your gift.
My name is Chigozie Japhet. I am a content writer, and a brand strategist. I like writing, reading, researching and watching football, especially my team, Man United. i believe in working hard, and also in relaxation as all work without play, makes Chigozie a dull boy.
