For many people, gifts are some of the most crucial elements of the holiday season. What we’ll be giving, what we’ll be getting, the logistics of getting them to and fro, where to look, how to purchase, and the list goes on and on and on. This year, I’d like for you to take a couple of minutes to reflect on the most important gifts that you’ve ever been given – your own inborn talents and abilities. The first step in this activity is brainstorming – grab a piece of paper and just start jotting down all of the things that you feel you are good at doing. This list can consist of nearly anything – don’t confine yourself to those things that only apply to your job, or those that you feel are “serious” or “realistic”. I know that there are some of you out there who will initially only be able to think of the things you are NOT good at doing – if it helps, take five minutes to write down all of the negatives just to get them out of your head. Later, you can burn this list in the fireplace – no need to dwell on it! Once you have your list of things that you are good at, go through the list and pick the five things that YOU feel you are best at. Again, these are what you feel your talents and abilities are, not what others think or expect. When you have identified the top five, write them down the left-hand side of a fresh sheet of paper. For each of the five “gifts” that you’ve listed, think of ways you can make the most of these gifts in the New Year, especially how these gifts can help you in your career. If the gifts you’ve listed have “nothing to do” with your current profession, that’s even better – you can look for fusion opportunities to make yourself truly unique and different. For example, if you feel you are an amazing writer, but your career is as an insurance agent, then consider writing a blog that gives potential customers outstanding insurance advice. What could be better than using your gifts while growing your business? Let me know what amazing fusion ideas you create!
