The self-improvement section is one of the busiest sections in the bookstore. It seems as if everyone is looking for advice on how to deliver outstanding results, move up the ladder, have more influence, find their passion, add value or be an 'A' player. "How to be' is big business. Everyone is looking for some kind of change and most do not have a clue of what it is they are supposed to be changing. One thing for sure is many are convinced they do not have 'it' whatever 'it' is.
If you are looking around wondering why you are not talented; why you are overlooked for opportunities or why you do not seem to have the 'it' factor, then you are overlooking one critically important thing. You are overlooking you, instead of discovering you. You may be looking at yourself through distorted lenses that do not serve you and indeed condemn and send you down someone else's path and ultimately to unhappiness.
We are many things to other people and we play many roles. Some of the roles we inherited, interviewed for, fought for, took with the best intentions or took with ulterior motives. Some roles we signed on for and others came by default. Some roles we are happy with and some we are not. It is a mixed bag. However, there comes a time in most lives when we evaluate what we are doing and are challenged to come up with good reasons for settling for a life that is less than passionate, meaningful, interesting or just plain fun. We realize that life is not just about the size of our house, the job that we have, the designer shoes or the professionally prepared latte. We want more than that and find ourselves thinking more and more about the quality of life rather than the quantity of it. It is at this point, where the shift occurs and journey of self-discovery starts.
We contain an amazing capacity to learn, grow, discover and exhibit talent at any age. You already have all the talent you need to be successful. You have always had it and you are enough already. Finding your passion or talent is a matter of discovery that takes patience, perseverance, perception, perspective, some inner reflection and asking lots of probative questions. Coming to the point when you believe you are enough requires achieving a level of clarity about yourself that only comes with knowing your own worth, understanding who you really are and acting on it.
The path towards discovery is an individual one that is yours and yours only. Everyone is different that is why it does not serve you to follow someone else's path. You are enough for your talented purpose or purposes. Honor yourself by dancing your own dance and living your own life. When you change your focus to discovering what talents and interests you have, the condemnation melts away leaving space for nurturing and utilizing your talent. The divine puzzle starts to click into place and the possibilities for you start to appear.
The beautiful thing is when you realize that you are talented enough to make fantastic changes in your life. You will start to challenge yourself to think beyond the imaginary box that was there before and start to think from a perspective of abundance. This new thinking is what will propel you to achieve more than you ever thought was possible. You will be more creative, innovative and willing to take the risks that growth demands.
The path to discovery will change you and not everyone will be ready or happy about the change. You are shaking up paradigms, viewpoints, plans and perceptions. Changing you is changing their world in some way and that is hard for some to deal with, however, this is about you and your happiness and it is okay to be a little self-serving about it. You have to be downright protective and adamant about the quality of your life. You have embarked on a journey to peel back the doubt, naysayers and years of wearing someone else's dreams in favor for your own skin and it feels great.
While the discovery path is an individual one, you do not have to take the journey alone. There are fantastic books that provide guidance on the self- discovery as well as working with professionals like a Life Coach that can provide the structure and support to help you uncover and live your talented purpose. The most important thing is to start with a change no matter how small. One step forward is still forward. You are enough already to take a step towards a new life. Take it with fear, caution or boldness, but by all means, take it.