I know I have perfectionist tendencies, and tend to initially set a unobtainable high bar for myself. I know it, I’ve got strategies for it.
For example, if I’m planning food for a party, I go ahead and make my list, then immediately cut it in half. I know I will go overboard otherwise.
But I’ve noticed something else I do, and it makes me huff in laughter at myself.
So I like playing brain games on my phone. There’s one in particular: the WaterSort Puzzle. Perhaps you’ve played it?
Basically you have different coloured liquids mixed up in different test tubes, and you’ve got to sort them so each tube just has one colour of liquid.
And this happens every. single. time.
If I can solve the puzzle, quickly, then it must be an easy one. Despite the level I’m on I’ll think ” Oh, they’ve thrown an easy one in to keep me going”.
If I can’t solve it, or struggle to solve it, then I must not be very smart.
Every single time, that’s what I think.
There is never a scenario where I am smart. It’s either the puzzle is easy, or I’m not smart.
Do you do this too? Surely I’m not the only one.
I think it’s a blindness to our own talents. It’s why we find it so hard to name our own strengths, because if I can do it, it must be easy, right?
I don’t know what to call it – if you have any suggestions, shoot them in a mail to me.
So here’s the thing, I know you do this too. There are things you are great at, and you probably expect others to be able to do it too (and maybe you get frustrated when they can’t?) but because they come so easily to you, you think it’s not that special.
So you dismiss your talents as just “normal”.
Just like I do in this waterSort game.
Let’s just cut that out, shall we?
And maybe instead we can be like Snoop Dogg.
Have you seen that acceptance speech? Where he thanks himself for believing in himself, for doing all the hard work etc.
If you haven’t seen it, here it is
Let’s cut out dismissing our strengths and talents, and be like Snoop Dogg.
Show ourselves some appreciation.
This post is part of my special Coaching Tips Series. This series was inspired by my clients and the core themes in their challenges. When we can apply these tips, we bring a lot of ease into our lives and step into our leadership. Want to talk it through with me? Call me and let’s make a Game Plan together.