Are You Good at What Matters?

ByMatthew

What if what you’re good at doesn’t – really – matter?

So often we take refuge, or more accurately, hide in the the things we’re good at.

But what if those things are not what really matters, for us, individually?

What if we hide in those talents to avoid the hard work of learning and growing?

What if we’re not doing what we know, deep-down, is our work?

I’m not talking about doing things we’re not suited for, or trying fix our weaknesses.

I’m asking you if you’re avoiding doing the work of becoming who you’re truly meant to be?

If there’s a twinge in you right now, a subtle, faint sense of recognition, a tiny feeling of “Oh shit, I think he might be right . . . maybe there is something?” Then I encourage you to explore that feeling, don’t avoid it.

Ask it what it might be and just notice how part of your mind tries to ignore or dismiss the feeling.

Be willing to go there and see what you find.

Be gentle and curious in the inquiry – all you have to gain is a better expression of yourself.

Similar Posts

  • Never Waste a Calamity

    ByMatthew

    Every calamity is a spur and a valuable hint. – Emerson Yes, I am riffing off the recent political meme in the post title. (“Never let a crisis go to waste.” (Attributed, I believe, to Rahm Emanuel).) That aside, Emerson’s words are an extremely valuable reminder. We ignore “failures” and “calamities” at our peril. Every…

  • Going Beyond a First Try

    ByMatthew

    Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries. – James Michener As hard as it is to try something new, it’s pretty darn hard to try it a third or fourth time. Sometimes it doesn’t make sense to try, try again, and again, and again . . . . But sometimes…

  • Start With Why

    ByMatthew

    This week’s external resource is another TED talk (what can I say, they’re brilliant!?), this time from Simon Sinek. In this video he exhorts leaders – and really all of us – to come-from why in terms of leadership, or sales, or living your life, or… Click here to watch the video and, if it impacts your…

  • The Opposite of Complacency

    ByMatthew

    Complacency is the last hurdle standing between any team and its potential greatness. – Pat Riley If I can, allow me to add a twist to the above thought. What if the opposite of complacency was engagement, not hard work, or super-focus? Those things are important, to be sure, but what’s more important is to…