Tips To Recognize Your Authentic Gifts Or Skills

I was close to 28 when I first began to trust my gut about my livelihood. It happened when my boyfriend at the time looked me square in the eye, after several years of living in a career void, and asked me, "What do you REALLY want to do." That may seem like an obvious question, yet no one had EVER asked me quite in that way. The difference, looking back, was that he was really interested in helping me, and, most importantly, there was a feeling of "ah ha" that hit me straight in the gut.

It took me about two seconds to recognize that I wanted to be in some form of a counseling career. I didn't have to think about whether or not I had abilities, skills, knowledge, experience, etc. I just KNEW it was a gift I wanted to use in my work. And the funny thing is that it was a time for me of great insecurity and lack of confidence. I had just spent too much time working in jobs that were wrong for me.

I realize now that I was one of the lucky ones. I was blessed to have recognized this one piece of my life so clearly. I am grateful to this day that the question was asked of me by my then "angel disguised as a boyfriend."

No matter how old you are, it is never too early to strike a chord or to harmonize with and illuminate the gifts you love to use that will lead you to joyful livelihood.

Some tips to help you get there - ask yourself:

1. What skills are you using right now that feel great when you use them? Notice the feeling of engagement.

2. In what context do you use these skills? For example, do you love to use communication, management, creativity, skills to help others through a tough time, lead a group, write awesome content, instruct or teach others, provide one on one assistance?

3. Answer this question - free flowing, "I am a person who... " Do not censor yourself.

4. On a sheet of paper, draw a line down the middle. On the left side list ten skills you have used or are using that you absolutely do not enjoy. Now on the right side of the paper put the opposite of those skills for you. Now prioritize the ones you like until you have at least five.

The purpose of these exercises is to help you develop positive thoughts and solutions to begin recognizing who you really are and what is important to you in your work. Know that this is the mindset that will help you move toward recognizing what joyful livelihood looks and feels like.

If you are ADD/ADHD diagnosed or undiagnosed with many symptoms, you MUST DO WHAT YOU LOVE MOST OF THE DAY TO PERFORM YOUR BEST WORK. Doing your best work will come much easier when you come from this position of confidence and joy. This alone will minimize those seemingly unruly symptoms and help you focus on the positive ones. The rest is simply management. However, management is easier when you are happy.

If you resonate with this idea, I would love to speak with you about what you are doing now in your career and help you find ways to make it even better.