If you’re anything like me, you would prefer to just be great at pretty much everything. And I am…..not. I know, I’m a little excessive with my desires sometimes.
A few years ago, one of my best friends on the planet, Keith, asked me if I was interested in playing a game of racquetball. Being me, of course I wanted to. Have I ever played racquetball you ask? Ummmmm…no. But so what? How difficult could it be?
Having been pretty athletic in my youth, I felt confident that I would get a great workout and score some points. Keith served the first ball and we spent some time just getting me used to hitting the ball. What happened next was entertaining to say the least. I got one of the greatest workouts I had ever had.
I chased that little ball all over that court! Every time I would get close to hitting it back, it seemed to go in a completely different direction. I decided to have a mental battle with the ball! “You little twit! I can beat you at your game!” I decided to get to the ball faster and catch it at a more strategic place. Needless to say, There is no such thing.
On top of that, it just caused me to work even harder to look as stupid as I was. The whole time Keith just kept saying, “Hey man, just wait on the ball.” And then he would take the most graceful swing sending the ball back to the wall, and me on another max heart rate journey! How in the world could he just “wait on the ball?!”
Every time I tried, I wasn’t even close to the crazy thing. Finally, slouched over with more water outside of my body than in, we stopped for the evening. (Thank you Lord for giving Keith Mercy in His life! He shares it well!)
As I sat defeated trying to breath, I realized something very important. Keith was a pro at this game because he worked his BACK SIDE off to be so! And he learned a ton about it by people way better than he was.
Here I was trying to win the Gold Medal. What a dork! If I look at the things in my life that I do really well, they are all because I have worked like crazy to be great at them. And I learned a ton from people who already invented the wheel.
That’s why I do what I do for a living. Because I’m really good at it, and it changes lives. Whether it’s Coaching, LifePlan, or Strategic Planning, every one of them helps people to discover how to fix what’s broken, and explode the greatest opportunities ahead of them.
The funny thing is, there’s always two types of people looking at changing their lives; those who don’t see the value and do nothing, and those who do see the value and walk away shocked at how great they are becoming.
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Thanks Chris, this is good stuff. If I am honest, I would need help in understanding my strengths. Do you have any recommendations on a 360 type of review?
Hey Paul, I use a few different ways to discover a person’s strengths.
First is a personality profile because I believe until you understand where you’re strong and weak in communication, the rest doesn’t matter. – https://chrislocurto.com/shop/
Next is a Values assessment so you understand what’s important to you. (I’m launching that soon. :-))
Then StrenghtsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath which is a great tool that assesses your strengths – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/159562015X/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=159562015X&linkCode=as2&tag=chrloc-20
After taking these assessments, I would suggest talking with someone who understands them well and can guide you to your greatest you!
Thanks Paul
Thanks Chris and Jon. I have taken the Strength Finders assessment. I have done other personality profiles, but I think its time to look in the one you recommend Chris.
Do you know of any other reviews that allow those that know you to add their input?
Hi Paul – Chris’s suggestions are on point (as if there was ever any doubt!)
I would start with a profile like the one Chris is offering in his link (it is a great deal – others charge even more for the sam thing).
Then StrengthsFinder 2.0 – I recommend buying the book – make sure it is new – the book can be found for as little as $13 and includes a code to use online for completing the assessment. (if you buy used, you will probably need to buy the code that cost as more or more than the book new). ou will receive an excellent report that does more than just demonstrate strengths, but also shows your uniqure combination’s advantages.
Lastly, I recommend going a step further and picking up Marcus Buckingham’s “Go Put Your Strengths to Work.” This also includes another assessment (buy new) that looks at your currently level of ustilization of your strengths, and recommendations, worksheets, and action plans for yousing more of your strengths in the job you have TODAY.
It feels amazing to be able to use your strengths more often, and even find a way to let others use their strengths to help out your weak areas.
Paul, I’m exicted for you and this journey – that fact that you care about it says a lot about who you are, and how far you will go.
Keep making a difference!
Great stuff Jon!
Good call, Chris! Getting help is key. Hard work is necessary, but it’s a lot more effective when paired with learning from someone farther down the road.
P.S. Loved your story! One of my first dates with my wife was a raquetball game that sounds eerily similar.
I had never played, but like you said, how hard could it be? And like you, I ran ALL OVER trying to stay ahead of that little ball. She just stood in the middle and destroyed! (Years later I found out she thought I was “showing off”. Ahh…no, I was just that bad!)
P.P.S. I thought the Two Kinds of People were those that put people in categories and those that don’t. 😉
HAHA…showing off would have been more graceful, right? Thanks Ken!
Waiting on others to keep up.
I don’t mean that in an egotistical, “I’m faster than everyone else” way. But I tend to outpace everyone in a bad way.
It causes 1 of 3 things:
1. No one is with me and I go it alone.
2. I get bored by myself and give up.
3. I succeed and alienate those were taking their time.
10 years ago I saw it as a positive. Now I see it for what it really is…impatience and selfishness.
Amen brother!!
Man I struggle here so much. Rushing through life. Like your friend and former boss Dave Ramsey says I try and out work my stupidity. When I do slow down and work strategically I get way more accomplished and have way more peace. Thanks for this reminder this morning Chris. I will wait:)
I can definitely relate. I want to be excellent at everything! It’s exhausting… I am in the process of deep personal discovery, trying to understand my strengths and work on those areas in order to serve others in the way that only I can do. In the past couple weeks I have been able to understand how I am wired and to be OK with not being great at certain things. I love this quote from Tom Paterson “If we grow and develop our set of gifts and we craft them through our life experiences, we will fulfill our purpose on earth”
I’m getting better in some areas, but I still feel like I could do with a bigger plan – what does my life in business look like in the next five years, 10 years. Besides the inevitable orthodontist bills my kids are going to pile up, what will by financial, spiritual and family life look like.
Just make sure to finish strong is what I need help with the most, I get great ideas, get them started and then staying focused to see it finished some times is hard for me.
Chris, GREAT reminder with this blog to take things in stride and not expect the world in one day. Success comes with steps.
While I am great at helping others gain clarity, I myself depend on coaches to help me find my own clarity as “iron focus” is a powerful driving force in moving us focus.. Love what you are doing with helping others find their very best.
That’s great Jen! Embrace each step along the way 🙂
thanks Kyle!
Hi Chris, I am new to your blog. I really enjoyed this post.
I look at life like this – I stand on my island secure in the knowledge that it has strong foundations but I want to see what the next island over looks like. The first crossing is a bit scary and the knowledge I gain on the way can be troublesome but I carry some bridge building materials with me to join the two islands. With practice and the help of supporters the bridge becomes a causeway of increaing size and strength. Eventually there is so much material joining the two islands they merge into one. Then I look for another interesting island and so on.
The supporters are vital as they help carry the load. But the direction of travel is all ours.
Looking forward to reading more of your stuff!
Gary