Next up in our investigation of the sweet spot trifecta: What is your superpower? I really wish I could help you (and me) discover it in one blog post. Obviously this is more of a process.
Last time was all about marketable skills and I promise not to use that exact term again for awhile, because blech. Now I’m moving onto natural talent, and the particular brand of brilliance that comes by way of your genetics. I think Jim Collins‘ description of this element is pretty interesting – we’re looking for that Thing we can do better than anyone else in the world.
Well, then, that’s a pretty big deal, huh? And at first, this wording brought up an icky competitive vibe for me, painting the market as cutthroat or every man for himself. And ewww, that’s definitely not an inspirational reason to find your life work.
But … instead I’m choosing to view this idea in light of the unique snowflake theory: Who are you really? What work is so fundamental to your core that it’s only natural for you to be the most successful at sharing it with the world?
One thing I really like about this definition is that it makes a clear distinction between true talent and something we’re just, eh, good at. Settling for mediocre work can be tempting when we’re decent at it. And maybe we settle because along the way our ego is fed with accolades and approval, and we stop asking if the work actually makes us happy.
I was good at my former career, my evaluations were usually glowing, I was promoted ahead of track. But I was never going to be the best in the world at it because I was less than crazy about it. Not loving your work eventually turns into procrastinating it, avoiding it, even *eeek* sabotaging it. Or maybe that’s just me.
Also, one confession before I jump in: I’ve never been much of a fan of assessment tests or personality indicators. Do you know whether you’re an Emoting Green Director or a Sensitive Gold Explorer? Yeah, me neither, I can never remember.
But in digging around to discover my natural talent, these psychological instruments seem like a good starting point. And by starting point, I really mean in utter hindsight to having fumbled my way onto a path I love.
Also, I’m not looking to assessment tests for the usual reasons. I would never suggest taking the test, noticing that it recommends fire fighting as your optimal life work, and then signing up for the academy. Again with the creativity here.
One value I see to assessment tests is that they often reveal who you want to be. I took the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and found out I am a Champion Idealist. Hell yeah, I am. (If you’re interested in finding out your type, here’s the link.)
This category is apparently denoted by ENFP – extroverted intuitive feeling perceiver. I don’t know why people usually refer to the acronym format. Maybe their personality types don’t have rock star titles like Champion Idealist?
Anyway, when I read the description of a Champion Idealist, I was elated. I like the description, I like the recommendations, and I like the way the assessment put some of my patterns into a perspective I can understand. Sometimes it’s comforting to see why I do the things I do.
Ever since I was a kid, every assessment test I’ve ever taken has suggested journalism or counseling (as a profession, not a course of treatment… I think). And, ohmygod, typing that sentence pretty much blows my mind. Because writing and coaching, and writing about coaching is an absolute fairy tale for me, and is probably the closest I could possibly get to fulfilling the tests’ recommendations.
So the psychological assessments had it right all along, and I just chose not to listen until now. *Grumble*
It’s actually a little creepy how right their evaluation can be. When I left my corporate career, the only idea that appealed to me was film/tv/radio production and I floated along as a production assistant for a friend’s production company as I soul-searched. Interestingly, film producer is the single other career my Myers-Briggs profile recommends.
Crap. These people (like, um, C.G. Jung) are onto something.
So if assessment tests help you uncover some of your natural talents, or even give hints about what you wish you were qualified to do, I call that progress. To me it’s a little like reading your horoscope. Whether you believe in astrology or not, if the forecast excites you, at the very least you get a peek into what you wish your future held.
More on talent next time, hopefully with a little insight into genetic aptitude, and also some ideas about having a knack for something that doesn’t immediately appear career-worthy.
If you have experience with assessment tests or opinions about talent in general, I would love to hear them.
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Hi Briana,
I took a Myers-Briggs test about 8 years ago at a work sponsored workshop and I found it to be such an eye-opener. Like you, I’m an ENFP but had only ever been focussed on what I wasn’t good at (admin, detail) – it had never occurred to me I had strengths that not everyone else had as well. That was very valuable for me to find out. It’s great to be reminded of those tests as I contemplate my next step.
I’m so glad I happened upon your blog, I can’t tell you.
Kate
I really wish I had known I was an INFP earlier in life. Would have spared myself tons of effort trying to become someone else (like, say, someone who was energized by large groups of people!).
It wasn’t until I was a year into the Peace Corps that our country director saw me looking exhausted and asked if I’d ever read the book “Do What You Are.” A week later I was on a plane back to DC and it was the first book I bought when I got back. And that was when I realized that I had my own special superpowers; I didn’t have to wish I had someone else’s. It was such a relief to realize there were parts of me that just weren’t going to change, and that I am someone who gets energy by being alone, and there’s nothing wrong with that!
I was pretty obsessed with Myers-Briggs for a few years because of the way it helped me accept my own limitations and led me to seek out conditions in which I thrived–rather than conditions that made me have to STRUGGLE so much. Once I let go of this idea that “struggle” was my story, things started getting so much better. For a while there I carried this book around like it was The Secret to Life Itself.
It’s definitely worth reading for anyone who doesn’t understand why the thing they think they should do isn’t really the thing they truly enjoy doing…
I took a career personality test when I left school, and it said I’m meant to work with animals… don’t think my coaching clients would like to hear that!
I feel like I’m living my right life – I LOVE what I do. Personality tests are fun games, but we have a built-in test that works better than anything else – our bodies. Just check with your body: does it feel free, energized, alive when you think of doing that thing (then it’s your thing!) or does it feel drained, confined and trapped (then it’s not your thing).
I’ve woven my way through a bunch of different jobs, and I’ve loved something about all of them, and learned so much a long the way. I think our society is far too into the idea of choosing 1 thing and sticking with it for the rest of your life… what’s wrong with playing at a bunch of stuff?
My husband is the only person I know who got a very cool response from his career test – a response that I’d say is spot-on! They told him, “You can do anything you want to do.” How’s this for an idea: let’s start a career advice centre and “test” people and give everyone the feedback, “This test says that you can do anything you want…” How cool would that be!
Cath
I’ve always moved back and forth between INFJ and INFP. Just now it said I’m INFP. Healer Idealist, which I think is awesome. It’s funny how the more experience I get in work and the more I realize about my personality, the more this description resonates with me. When I was younger it didn’t click as much. I’m with you, *grumble grumble*
PS Now I know why we click–NFP!
And Kelly–whoa, totally cool.
Oh! And I have to tell the story about taking the Meyers-Briggs test in my college dorm. It was one of the “activities” that the RA set up for our hall. Back then it was on paper and it took a few days for the results to come back (paper! I know! how primitive! I guess this must have been like 1994 or something…). Anyway, we all gathered to get our results, and for some reason they came in folders with lots of supporting-material included.
So, it took a minute to page through all of these papers to get your “result.” And I had never taken the test before, but my roommate had. So I asked her “what am I looking for here?”
She answered, “Eileen, just find the four letters that start with I.”
Which of course I did. I always get 100% “I”. No surprises there
Wow, I love hearing everyone’s stories!
@Kate – It seems like a lot of workplace evaluation stuff is focused on weaknesses, areas to improve, etc. I think it’s great that you’re identifying the strengths that make you unique – so important!
@Kelly – I am totally adding that book to my ridiculously high stack, thanks for the recommendation! And I’m only very slightly extroverted, with plenty of introvert in me, so I can really appreciate how draining it can be to force intense socializing.
@Cath – I am totally in for that Career Advice Center, I love it! And I also love the idea of doing more than one thing, letting things evolve and flow naturally instead of choosing one thing that’s supposed to be right forever.
@Eileen – See … Healer Idealist is so much cooler and more descriptive than INFP. And it’s so you, I love the college story!
I’ve been an INFJ for as long as I can remember. I’m only ever-so-slightly I, and during some more social parts of my life (like college), I was an ENFJ. (That always shocked me. I’m the girl who could spend a whole weekend curled up reading a book and listening to the rain, and yet I’m a *slight* I?!)
Everything I’ve ever read about INFJ, or the Counselor Idealist, has featured this idea of making things personal and making a difference in people’s lives. And for me, that’s spot-on. There are a lot of things I’ve thought about doing with my life, but they’ve always, always called for those two prerequisites.
Hi Allie
I’m ever so slightly E, and totally relate – I can be quite the homebody! I love the description of making things personal, I never would have been able to put that into words so kudos to Myers-Briggs because it really seems to fit you!
I am ISFJ and only slightly I as I do have some fairly strong E traits depending on the situation. I think I got I because I do love to be alone and get charged from people really quickly and then need to retreat.
I don’t know what that one thing is that I am better at than anyone. I have this really bizarre cleaning gene I got from my Hungarian mother and aunts where I can clean like all the windows inside and out, clean the screens and wipe out the sills, and put it all back lickety split. Or clean the bathroom from top to bottom in 3 minutes. Or when I rent the carpet cleaner and take it back in two hours, the lady at the store thinks I changed my mind when in fact I cleaned all mycarpets, furniture, and car. So that is a little embarrassing but I am posting it here to just help myself (and maybe someone else) jog my thinking into what in the world is my thing.
Maybe it means I should run a cleaning business???
In college I took a career placement test that told me I should be either a bus driver or a mortician. I opted not to take either bit of advice. I also found you via Havi’s blog and am loving everything you write.
@Darcy ~ Oh. My. God. It should be illegal for an assessment test to recommend stuff like that! And how are those things at all related?! This is where I revert back to Cath’s comment above, a career testing center where every person gets told that they’d be fabulous at doing what they love.
I’m an ENFJ _ The Teacher.
It explains why I’m always up in everyone’s business.
I just took the test and am still laughing. I’m an INFJ, which I’ll never remember but I’ll remember Idealist Counselor. Pegged me! Gave me a couple answers too. Cool. Thanks.