Hi from Jan.
Last week I wrote about the writing and marketing tasks we juggle. In a live demonstration, balls were whizzing by and falling to the floor.
And then I asked several questions. The first requested that you identify your strengths. Not so easy to do unless you've already thought through it in other ways. So here are ten questions that will begin to unearth those hidden strengths and talents of yours:
(Spend time with these. Write out what comes to mind first, and then push yourself to draw out a few more ideas beyond those initial thoughts.)
1. What do you really enjoy--in any area of your life, whether work, fun, creativity, or relationally?
2. What energizes you?
3. What brings that "ahhhh" satisfaction of a job well done and enjoyed?
4. What inspires you?
(Note: Question 1 is a warm-up to the next questions, but then #'s 2, 3 & 4 are different questions!)
5, What are your talents?
6. What comes very easy to you--to the point you can't understand why others have any difficulty with it?
(Note: Questions 5 & 6 also are different questions. Dig in and find the nuance, not so much in the question, but in your life.)
7. What have others noticed in you, pointed out, or complimented?
8. What do you believe/know are your spiritual gifts?
9. What do you love doing that you feel you must do? (If you can't do it, you feel like part of you is dying.)
10. How do you work best? (environment)
11. Come up with your own question to further explore this. And please feel free to leave a comment and tell us your new question(s). Let's help each other out!
Your answers to the above questions may have highlighted different areas of your life and who you are. That's great. We have a whole lot more to us than just our writing and marketing (though sometimes we or others in our lives may wonder).
When you've finished the questions, look carefully at what you wrote down and consider the following:
--What strength or talent seems to be indicated by each of my answers?
--How do I see each particular strength and ability as a reflection of being made in God's image?
--How can I use each strength, interest, and ability to really power my writing, speaking, and marketing? Be creative and specific.
Okay, that's enough to think about for one blog post. Check back next Wednesday. We'll look at a couple tools and resources and consider how all of this will make a huge impact on your writing and marketing.
Please feel free to share what you've discovered.
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