First published 27 June 2024

Do you know what’s in your Toolkit?

When was the last time you looked at all that you have in your toolkit?

Sometimes we focus more on the new shiny gadgets and tools that we might want to add to our toolkit than we do on what’s already there.

When we think on it, throughout our lives, we accumulate a wealth of skills, experiences and knowledge – we may have picked them up at home, at school/college/university, at work, from our relationships or family, from volunteering, or even from hobbies and social situations.

But here’s the thing: so often, we take our skills for granted.  We might not even realise what we have, how transferable these are skills or just how much we have truly learned along the way.

Unearthing Your Hidden Gems:

If we imagine that all of these skills and experiences live in an ever-expanding toolkit (or perhaps a Mary Poppins style bag if you prefer).  This week I invite you to take a peek inside and see what treasures you might find – and if you are really keen, perhaps you might like to take an inventory?

As you know I love setting a good bit of “homework”, so, here’s a wee challenge for you:

• Brainstorm Your Skills: Grab a pen and paper, or open a note on your phone (or if you really want to geek out – go for a spreadsheet… or it that just me?). Spend 10 minutes listing all the skills you can think of, from things like problem-solving or communication, to perhaps things like organisation or public speaking. Don’t be shy – even seemingly basic skills can be valuable! (don’t forget that certificate for swimming 50m or a cycling proficiency badge still counts!).  Write down everything that comes to mind, you are the only one who is going to see the whole list (unless you choose to share it!) so capture anything and everything that pops into your head!
• Dig Up the Gems: Once you have a list, take a closer look. Are there skills you learned in a past job that could be applied to your current role or situation?  Perhaps your experience navigating family dynamics translates well to teamwork at work.

The Power of 15 Minutes:

Remember, even small daily investments in learning can yield big results. Studies (like the one conducted by K. Anders Ericsson in his book “Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise”) have shown that dedicating just 15 minutes a day to focused learning on a specific topic can lead to expertise within a year!

We all have a rich toolkit of skills waiting to be explored. By taking stock of what we already have and nurturing our continued learning, we can unlock incredible potential and achieve amazing things.

Your mission should you choose to accept it is to:

• Share Your Hidden Gems: comment below or send me an email with a skill you rediscovered during your “toolkit” exploration. Maybe it inspired you to learn more!
• Unlock Your Zones of Genius: Feeling stuck or unsure where to focus your talents? Let’s have a chat! I offer sessions to help you identify your unique strengths and discover your “zones of genius.” Schedule a free discovery call and let’s explore how I can help you unlock your full potential.

Remember, you’re more skilled and capable than you might think – embrace your awesome and take baby steps (or giant leaps) to keep growing and developing what you already have!