What is Your Superpower?

I believe all of us have at least one “superpower.” 

What is a superpower? 

A superpower is something that comes naturally to you and you do it extremely well.  You may have more than one.  Your superpower is one of your special gifts.  I think it is the unique combination of your strengths and how they come together that allows you to do something exceptionally well.

Your superpower may not be clear to you or to others and could be challenging to put into words but it IS worth thinking about and trying to get clearer on what your special talent and gift is and how to describe it.

Related to your superpower is knowing your strengths since your superpower is the way that your strengths all come together in a unique way.

I am a big fan of CliftonStrengths® (or what used to be called StrengthFinder®).  They list and describe 34 different strengths.  Here is the link to take the Top 5 CliftonStrengths(R) Access.  Here is a different but free version which I am not as familiar with but wanted to provide as an option, since not everyone may want to pay $20 – $49 to learn about their strengths.

My top 5 strengths and a brief description of them according to Clifton’s StrengthFinder® are:

• Empathy – You can sense the emotions of those around you. You can feel what they are feeling as though their feelings are your own. Intuitively, you are able to see the world through their eyes and share their perspective.

• Maximizer – Excellence, not average, is your measure. Taking something from below average to slightly above average takes a great deal of effort and in your opinion is not very rewarding. Transforming something strong into something superb takes just as much effort but is much more thrilling. Strengths, whether yours or someone else’s, fascinate you.

• Relator – describes your attitude toward your relationships. In simple terms, the Relator theme pulls you toward people you already know. You do not necessarily shy away from meeting new people -but you do derive a great deal of pleasure and strength from being around your close friends.

• Learner – You love to learn. The subject matter that interests you most will be determined by your other themes and experiences, but whatever the subject, you will always be drawn to the process of learning. The process, more than the content or the result, is especially exciting for you. You are energized by the steady and deliberate journey from ignorance to competence. The thrill of the first few facts, the early efforts to recite or practice what you have learned, the growing confidence of a skill mastered.

• Achiever – describes a constant need for achievement. You feel as if every day starts at zero. By the end of the day you must achieve something tangible in order to feel good about yourself.

 
Knowing and being able to describe my strengths was very reassuring and affirming for me.  It helped me feel good about my desire to be a life coach and financial planner.  I feel like these strengths are well aligned for success in doing what I want to do.

I believe my superpower is connecting the dots and being able to help others connect their dots to see what is important and what they really want.  I like taking a lot of information and simplifying it.  Getting to the core, clearing the non-essential stuff and making clear what needs to be said.  I want to help make things better.  I like making things easier.

I believe all of us should focus on and play to our strengths as much as possible. 

In an ideal world you would only be asked to do what you are great at (wouldn’t that be nice) and have others help you or do those things that are THEIR strengths and not yours.

Most studies show that it is better to spend time building your strengths than to work on improving your weaknesses.  Yes, you could learn to write with your non-dominant hand with enough time and practice but how much would that help you?  It will always be more challenging and draining than doing more of and getting better at what you are naturally good at.

“When we follow our talents – the ways in which we naturally think, feel, and behave we have a better opportunity for true excellence.” -StrengthFinder
 
What is your superpower? 

How can you use your superpower and talents more? 

I believe our superpower is linked and tied to our purpose here on earth.  I want everyone to know what their superpower is and use it – because then good things happen.

If you don’t know what your superpower is, or would like confirmation of what you think your superpower is, ask your friends, family, and co-workers what they think your greatest or top three strengths or talents or qualities are.  It will feel good and you will learn a lot about how people view you.

I truly believe everyone should know and appreciate what their superpower is.  So, take some time to think about it and start using yours more.