I learned today that my greatest strength is that I keep going like the Energizer Bunny, and that my greatest weakness is that I overthink things. I learned these things by asking a few questions to the right people.
Last week, while I was hoofing it on the elliptical at the gym, I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts: How to Be Awesome at your Job. The host, Pete Mockaitis, was interviewing Maxie McCoy, women’s leadership speaker and author of You’re Not Lost: an Inspired Action Plan for Finding Your Own Way. Through speaking with hundreds of women, McCoy heard several recurring questions: “Am I doing the right things? Is what I’m feeling normal? How do I handle this doubt? Where the heck am I going with my life?” She wants to reassure us:
You don’t have to know where you’re going in order to begin … we can find our way when we tap into a really deep sense of self-belief in order to take small step after small step after small step.
So how do we figure out which steps to take? McCoy says the first questions to ask are “What energizes you?” and “Where have you felt the most proud, energized, and connected to power?” Once you answer these questions, she wants you to ask yourself why. Do this three times. Then, she says, start taking steps to create action, no matter how insignificant the action may seem.
Back when I was feeling a little uninspired at work, I would come home and crochet for hours. What is it about crochet that brings me joy? Memories of sitting next to my grandmother, who would remind me not to make my stitches too tight. Expressing my creativity. Making things that would provide warmth and comfort to others. The next question to ask would be: what actions could I take to get more of that feeling in my life? By gravitating toward these I would be paving my own path as I’m traveling along it. Baby steps.
At the end of the episode, McCoy mentions a fabulous exercise that you can try to identify where you have the most energy (added bonus: you’ll get a boost if you’re feeling a bit lost): surveying people in your support system.
Here are the questions that she uses:
- Why am I irreplaceable?
- What is my superpower?
- What is holding me back?
- Where will I be in five years?
- What are my talents, potential, and unique value?
McCoy had one friend collect and tabulate these responses, and present them in person (without attribution) to her. When I tried this, I switched it up a little bit, emailing a handful of friends and family who know me well. Because I knew this exercise would take some time, I thought it would only be fair if I reciprocated. If we keep going, we’ll create a veritable Amway pyramid scheme of empowerment! What resulted for me were some really insightful conversations and some very genuine expressions of gratitude.
Give it a try. This Energizer Bunny thinks you should.
this gruntled worker 