Recent studies have tied authenticity or self-awareness to a healthier response to stress, stronger relationships, and project follow through. Many of us continue to search for those authentic, true talents deep into our adulthood.
Here are my four recommendations for digging into your authentic self:
Own your Quirk. Your quirk is the thing that you got punished or made fun of for as a child. As a child, I was always punished for how talkative I was in school and today it is my career.
Online Quizzes. 16Personalities.com is a free, online personality assessment that guides you towards your weaknesses, strengths, and desires as a person. I recommend that every young professional take this assessment to shortcut them to understanding their true gifts. While 16Personalities.com is my favorite, there are countless online assessments.
Family Support. What do those closest to you look to you for? Is it fashion advice, sports reports, or volunteer opportunities? People flock to you for the thing they feel your passion in. Call up your 5 most trusted colleagues, friends, or family members and ask them.
The Process. Trust the process of getting to the final destination. We so often become frustrated with the time it takes to figure out what our calling is and how to make it a reality. Don’t be so hard on yourself.
Exploring. As we advance in our careers, we become comfortable in our specific industry niches and focus our development on related skills. Make a list of challenges wildly outside of your comfort zone. This could be along the lines of taking an acting class, learning how to fish, or building a website. Choose one main challenge to accomplish and showcase at the end of the year. Step outside of your normal routine to explore other possible talents.
