What's Your Superpower?
Let’s Cut to the Chase.
Your superpower is the thing that sets you apart from everyone else.
It could be your ability to bring out the best in others.
Or it might be your creativity.
Maybe it’s your grit, tenacity, and ability to get things done (and done right!).
Perhaps it’s your ability to see around corners and identify what the future holds.
Whatever it is, rest assured, you have a superpower.
In fact, we all do.
But here’s the thing.
Sometimes you have to look hard to find it.
But when you uncover it, it’s a game-changer!
In fact, your life gets infinitely better.
What’s more, if you put your superpower(s) to its highest and best use (as all Leaders of LIGHT do!), everyone else’s life gets infinitely better as well.
Why Your Superpower(s) Matter.
When you find your superpower(s) and put them to work, research has shown that some pretty amazing things happen.
#1: Time Flies. You’ve probably heard the old adage, “Time flies when you’re having fun.” Well, this is exactly what happens when you put your superpower(s) to work.
#2: Everything Comes Easy. Put simply, when your skills perfectly match the challenge, you not only enter a state where time flies, but the activity also feels almost effortless.
This is what’s known as flow, and if you’ve ever experienced it, it’s magical!
#3: You Become More—Not Less—Energized. Usually, the harder you work, the more fatigued you become. However, when it’s your superpower fueling you, it’s exactly the opposite.
In fact, it’s well documented that when you are fueled by your superpower, you get better results with far less effort.
And when you do get tired, it’s a satisfying kind of tired—and not the other kind.
How cool is that?
#4: You Can’t Wait To Do It Again. When you put your superpower to its highest and best use, another amazing thing happens.
Your brain lights up like a Christmas tree.
Dopamine and endorphins flow like water, and these two chemicals are what makes you feel happy and alive.
And anytime you feel happy and alive, you always have an intense desire to repeat the experience!
How to Find Your Superpower.
Time and again, experts tell us that the best way to identify your superpower(s) involves a mix of two things: looking inward and looking outward.
Let’s take a look at each.
Looking Inward
In a nutshell, looking inward to find your superpower(s) is all about self-reflection and thinking about what you are good at, what comes naturally to you, and what brings you joy.
Here are four essential questions you’ll need to wrestle with if you want to identify your superpower(s):
#1: What Comes Most Easily for You? Take a few minutes to list the tasks that you can perform effortlessly, while others struggle with them.
For example, are you naturally gifted in conversation? Does it occur in big groups or small ones? Or maybe you are at your best when you are alone with a task and have full permission to focus.
#2: What Energizes You? Now take a few minutes to identify activities that give you energy, make you lose track of time, and/or bring deep satisfaction.
For example, some people love to get feedback (crazy, I know!), and they are at their best when they are learning how they can become better.
#3: What Do You Enjoy? Look back over the course of the last year and make a list of projects or tasks that brought you joy and fulfillment—and rank them from most joy to least!
#4: What Are You Most Curious About? What are the questions that intrigue you most? For example, people with the superpower of empathy want to know how others are feeling while those with the superpower of getting things done want to know what’s next on the list.
Looking Outward
Another way to find your superpower is by looking outward.
As you might guess, looking outward is all about trying to discern how others see you and what they believe you do best.
Here are three great places to start:
#1: Ask Trusted People. Make it a point to sit down with your most trusted peeps (spouses, friends, family, and colleagues are all wonderful places to begin!).
Be upfront with them and let them know you are trying to identify your superpower(s) and that you need their help and insights. Then, have a heartfelt conversation. And be sure to listen carefully! Sometimes, what you think you are good at is very different from what others see!
#2: Check Past Performance Reviews. By revisiting your past performance reviews, you can uncover some significant themes about what others believe you do well. Maybe you shine at the details. Or maybe you are a force in working with clients and customers. Whatever it is, you will most likely find it in your previous performance reviews.
#3: Now Look for Patterns. Once you’ve spoken with your most trusted people and revisited your performance reviews, it’s time to look for the recurring themes and compliments—especially if they have been articulated and validated by a lot of different people.
Leading with LIGHT
If, as a Leader of LIGHT, you can find your superpower and put it to its highest and best use, everything is going to change for the better.
Your life will become more meaningful.
More is going to get done.
Others are going to shine bright as well.
But now it’s time to get serious.
If you really want to inspire others, don’t show them your superpowers—show them theirs.
Chew on that insight for a while.
Said differently, perhaps the most profound impact a Leader of LIGHT can have on another human being is by helping them to find their superpower(s).
From this day forward, be that leader who uses the information in this blog to unlock the potential of everyone around you.
Until next time, See LIGHT, Be LIGHT, and Spread LIGHT in ways that only you can.
Until Next Time...
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About Lead with Light
Lead with Light is an initiative that aims to equip current and emerging leaders with a reimagined approach to servant leadership.
Our ultimate vision is to grow and develop thousands of Leaders of Light to ignite a movement to see light, be light, and spread light in ways only each can.