The one constant that transcends all else, and is universally relevant, is the fact that just like everyone else…You Are Unique.
Are you thinking personal and professional development is a self-help endeavor? Unimaginable!!!
The number of personal and professional development programs abound. Each has its own theme, suggests you will attain certain outcomes, usually has a very enticing marketing message, and the effects, if any, last for varied periods. Books, CDs, DVDs, seminars, conference calls, coaching, weekend seminars, and the list goes on! We could probably compare notes on many of the programs you have attended including all of the sales training companies.
Now it would be difficult for me to get you to believe that I don’t think education or learning is important. After all, I teach college classes, earned a Master’s degree, MBA, Ph.D., and have read countless books and articles as a means of informal learning when not enrolled in classes. I have attended all sorts of workshops and seminars, was a distributor for Nightingale Conant, and was a leading salesperson for one of the top seminar companies in North America. I have met personally with many of the speakers including Brian Tracy, Les Brown, Tom Hopkins, Lou Holtz, Mark Vicotr Hansen, Jack Canfield, and many others. OK…enough name dropping. Here is the point.
The lesson learned from all of these experiences is simple.
A person WILL NOT discover their unique gifts by reading a book, attending a seminar, or by participating in a training event. IT WILL NOT HAPPEN!
You may ask why not, and there three very simple reasons. First, those programs are designed for an audience, marketed to the population, and are not intendedto help each individual discover their unique greatness. Second, YOU are the one filtering the information. This simply means, without going ino a detailed explanation on adult learning theories, that at best it becomes a subjective experience. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, is the fact that you are a complex person. Your motivation, interests, aptitudes, skills, natural abilities, and personality are made up of many different components. Discovering your unique abilities requires a multi-channel aproach, and putting them into play must involve a process. Sorry to disappoint, but seminars, books, etc. are just not designed to bring about this transformation.
Do You Believe Everyone Has Unique Characteristics and Aptitudes?
Your answer is most likely YES. Now here is the disqualifier. I ask people all the time if they believe that their unique skills and aptitudes applied in the right environment would would reveal a sort of genius mentality. What do suppose happens now? You probably guessed it. The average person does not believe they posess genius qualities in some capacity. Yet, I consistently see these gifts in my students, clients, friends, and associates. Although, it does not surprise me that they don’ see them, and it should not surprise you either. We have all had the experience of paying someone a compliment on something they did extremely well, marveled at the ease in which they did something, or simply remarked about their unique skills in a situation. How did they respond. YOU GUESSED IT. They attempted to dismiss the whole event. But they were not just trying to be modest. PEOPLE TRULY DO NOT RECOGNIZE WHAT THEY DO EXTREMELY WELL.
In fact, it iseems as if we were wired not to identify the genius in ourselves, unless it is a pure form of talent in athletics, music, art, academic abilities, writing, or interpersonal relations.
The only real question that begs an answer is whether or not you believe in yourself. If you do believe in yourself then there is a very strong possibility that you can disover your unique greatness. Each, and every, individual has a very unique combination of preferred thinking and learning styles; natural abilities and intelligences; behavior, values, motivations, and interests. Assessed together and evaluated in regard to their stage of life development, people are amazed at how they discover themselves for the first time.
Welcome to the Greatest Show on Earth!
I will save you the theoretical discourse on philosophy, religion, ways of knowing, defining reality, and all of the other metaphysical explanations of life. This journey through life is an individual adventure for every individual even though it may seem to have strong commonalities with the experiences of others.
Most people have had some experience with personality and intelligence assessments. If you are one of these individuals and found them lacking…they probably were. They were lacking a thorough debriefing with you by a professional. One of the most powerful and sustainable methods of professional development is an accurate and exploratory debriefing based on your specific situation.
Individuals, managers, salespeople, professional service providers, hiring personnel, spouses, and students looking for career direction have all raved about the immediate and long lasting benefits of well selected and debriefed personal assessments.
