Talent Makeover
Micro Moves, Mega Results: How Small Steps Help Your Future-Self Win Big Time. Taken From The Book "Atomic Habits" by James Clear
BE YOUR OWN SUPERPOWER AND CUT THE NOISE
“Life is a continual process of arrival into who we are” (Maria Popova)
Gaining a better understanding of your natural identity will accelerate the process of finding the game you really want to play. This will both maximize your personal growth and increase your luck surface area. While we tend to see our genes as the determinator of our destiny, you can shift your perspective and rather see them as a determinator for your opportunities! If you are aware of your genetical predispositions and personality traits, you will be able to choose a field with the odds in your favor by matching your ambition with your ability.
(If you are interested in working more ON and WITH yourself, in finding a new path or just out of curiosity, I have found a course by world-known Professor of Psychology Jordan B. Peterson. The course is called “Self-Authoring” and can be done online, by yourself and on your own schedule. As I find myself in many conversations of that kind of personal development and identity lately, I thought I’d share it with you. I strongly believe in the fact that it is never too late for change, action and transformation.)
“Don’t be the best, be the only” (Kevin Kelly)
A DEEPER DIVE INTO IDENTIFYING WHAT SUITS YOU BEST
Our deeply rooted preferences make certain behaviors easier for us than for others and vice versa. Your personality is your set of characteristics that is consistent from situation to situation. So working with your personality and choosing the habits that suit you seems more effective than listening to what most people say or think. This is also crucial for staying motivated and making progress. The easier doing something feels for you, the more likely you are to be successful at it.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS FOR IDENTIFYING YOUR SUPERPOWER
What feels like fun to me but work to others? What comes to you easily is what you are made to do.
What makes me lose track of time? When you get in your zone, you are in a mental state of flow that lets you forget everything around you.
Where do I get greater returns than the average person? We tend to be more satisfied when a comparison with another person around us is in our favor.
What comes naturally to me? Ignore everything you have been taught and told. Listen to yourself and think about the last time you felt alive, when do you feel like the real you? Focus on your feelings of engagement and enjoyment.
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced” (James Baldwin)
USE TRIAL AND ERROR TO START ANYTHING NEW
As any area can become challenging in the long-run - even if you keep advancing and improving - it is important to make sure you picked the right game for your skillset. By using the trial and error approach, you can start any new activity. As soon as you have found “your zone of talent”, shift your focus there, but don’t stop experimenting here and there. Put your focus of work on your most effective learnings and what delivers your best results.
“All of my biggest wins have come from leveraging strengths instead of fixing weaknesses“ (Tim Ferriss)
WHEN YOU CAN’T WIN BY BEING BETTER, YOU CAN WIN BY BEING DIFFERENT
Once you realize your strengths, you know where to put your time and energy. The better we understand our nature, the better we can implement a strategy that fulfills our potentials and makes us more productive. Work hard on the things that come easy. Keep in mind though, that genes can’t make you successful if you’re not doing the work!
„This is the number one thing you need to do: find out what you need to be doing on this planet, why you were put here, and what wakes you up in the mornings“ (Peter Diamandis)
PRO TIP: There is always the option of doing things different: create your game, if you can’t find one that suits you. By combining your individual skills, you reduce the level of competition. Also, we’re living in times of transformation - new technologies, artificial intelligence and the like will leave us with plenty of new things and ways to learn, acquire new knowledge and step into the future. Now, more than ever, is the time for anything new!
Change your game, change your Life!
Yours, Anna
a little thought inspiration for today
“A question must never be wasted, for the answer might be magic” by Simon Sinek
stay tuned - my next newsletter will be all about systems for reflexion and how to stay motivated in life and work
EXTRA FEATURE
Today, I want to share a TED Talk by Simon Sinek with you. The first time I listened to it, was about 3 years ago and it never left my mind since then. Not only have I become a big fan of Simon Sinek, but I am also convinced that there is some kind of learning, new insight or inspiration in it for anyone! Watch the video and let me know what you think? I am planning to share my favorite talks, podcasts, writings with you once in a while and hope you enjoy it as much as I do!