SHARING OUR GIFTS

As both a student and teacher of human potential, my personal mantra is to be the best original version of my individual self in everything I do. 

I was recently reminded and re-inspired of this by the director at my daughter’s old preschool. January is the traditional teacher evaluation time for the preschool. The usual way of evaluating teachers is to conduct classroom observations, review goals and plans with teachers, and to make recommendations for improvement. This year, the director decided to mix things up a bit. She started with a one-on-one “thinking outside the box” conversation with each teacher. It was an opportunity for dreaming and planning for a better school and many teachers talked about ways to freshen their programs and themselves.  She asked each teacher to complete a “strengths survey,” which gave them a chance to talk about what they are best at and what they needed in order to develop this strength. Rather than focus on what we’re not good at (the typical way of examining ourselves), they were trying to identify their strengths and then find ways to capitalize on them to the benefit of all members of the school community. We should all do this! Any business model could benefit from this don’t you think?

How often do you think about your strengths? We rarely give ourselves the gift of acknowledging our talents or abilities, somehow deeming it not “proper” to do so. Even when someone else points out that we’ve done a great job or have an admirable trait, we defer the praise, saying for example, “Oh, I’m not so good” or we point out that someone else is better.

This topic reminds me of a company I am a little obsessed with called IDOLOGY. The founder, Caroline McHugh, has dedicated herself to helping individuals and top organizations be original versions of themselves, not pale imitations of each other.  Bottom line…being your authentic self is when you are your most creative, most productive and happiest. I encourage you to watch her inspiring TEDTalks video…The Art of Being Yourself:

I challenge all of you to do two things. First, acknowledge your gifts and be grateful for them. You have been blessed in a distinct way and to deny it is to not accept the gift which is an ungracious way of responding. Take joy in your special abilities. Second, share your gifts! You are members of many communities— job, family, school, neighborhood, church and all can benefit from what you offer. Sharing your gifts with others is letting your light shine. It lights the room for everyone present. Most of you probably know what your gifts are so celebrate and use them. Be the best original versions of your individual authentic selves!!