The first deception is perhaps the most self-imposed. Most of us find it very difficult to convince ourselves of our enduring uniqueness. And if we do understand our uniqueness, it’s sometimes hard to imagine it being of any value, especially a value that someone would actually pay for.
Our talents often come so easy to us. In fact, by definition that’s part of what actually makes it a talent. As Marcus Buckingham and Don Clifton say in Now, Discover Your Strengths, “Our talents feel so natural to us that they seem to be common sense. Doesn’t everyone see the world as I do? Doesn’t everyone feel a sense of impatience to get this project started? Doesn’t everyone want to avoid conflict and find common ground? Can’t everyone see the obstacles lying in wait if we proceed down this path? But in truth or sense isn’t common at all. The sense we make of the world is individual. Our “sense,” our recurring pattern of thought, feeling, or behavior, is caused by our unique mental network. This network serves as as a filter, sorting and sifting the world we encounter, causing us to zero in on some stimuli and miss others entirely.”
Sometimes I illustrate this in one of our strengths classes by wadding up some papers and throwing them on the floor. When I ask how many people noticed it, the responses are quite varied. Some don’t notice the paper at all. Some notice it but don’t think much about it. Others almost have to be tied down to keep them from picking up the paper and messing up my illustration.
Your Moment of Truth
You have an absolutely unique mix of natural abilities, aptitudes, and talents!
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