Q # 17 - 30 Days of Insight

At the very beginning of the quarantine, I ventured out to Costco to get some groceries.  When I arrived, I saw a long line of people talking about the bare shelves and the lack of toilet paper.  I'm sure you've experienced something similar.

People were very stressed out about it.  One woman walked by and said "they have it at Target, right now, so go there".  Someone else said "use kleenex but don't flush it or it will clog your toilet."   Those people were trying to help by sharing information.

Other people were blowing off steam by complaining.

I took a different approach and it's the one I find myself using in many scenarios.

Rather than believing what everyone was saying, about the lack of toilet paper, I spent a minute looking around on my own.

And...there...it....was....on the TOP SHELF...way...way....way up there.

When I pointed to it, some people in the crowd said:

"It's too high up there and we can't get to it."

A few women said "Let's make a human pyramid, like cheerleaders, and get the TP."

Everyone responded in different ways.

PROBLEM SOLVING is one of my core strengths and I always love to find creative solutions, so I found a forklift operator and asked him to help. Sort of like this guy!

He pulled the crate of TP out and we started handing it out to people in that line.

When one guy said "I need TWO packs", I replied with "do you see all of these people in the line waiting?  Do you really need TWO" and he said "no".

Yesterday, I asked you to think about the contribution you'd make on an island with 100 people.  Your answer is a reflection of your natural talents/values/strengths.

TODAY, I'm asking you in another way......

You see, every "stressful" scenario will SQUEEZE your values/strengths/talents to the surface.  

The way this Costco scenario played out is very true to how I work and live. 

• I usually challenge general assumptions and look for what's really true.
• I look for possibilities and new perspectives.
• I'm not afraid to mobilize people or ask for help, even if it seems out of the ordinary or bold.
• I believe there's always a way and finding that way is FUN for me.
• Plus, I love being a catalyst for growth and insight (ex: "do you really need TWO packs of TP with all of these people in line waiting?")

What are you noticing about yourself, during the Corona pause?  Can you think of a similar situation now, or in the past, and how you "showed up"?

Which one of your values/strengths/talents are front and center right now?

For example:

• stepping it up, at work, if you're fearful you might lose your job could say you value security
• gathering friends for virtual happy hours is an indicator you value socializing and you're a natural connector of people
• exercising more consistently tells me you value fitness and need to keep a window of time open for it, after you go back to "the old way of working" in an office
• being crafty and making masks or homemade sanitizer tells me you are creative
• checking in on elderly neighbors or people in need says you're a natural helper
• navigating online meetings with ease highlights your tech talents
• looking for ways to make your home nicer/cozier is a reflection of your value of comfort and ease
• getting a lot accomplished tells me you value productivity
• using extra time to take online classes tells me you value learning
• relishing the time to connect with family says a lot about the importance of relationships, for you.
• if people are reaching out to you for guidance or help, you're a natural leader
• If your self-care is on point, you value feeling well 
• If you're loving the solo time, at home, maybe your strength is your ability to self-motivate without a lot of oversight or might be more fulfilled working for yourself.
• Having less to do (since you can't go out) might highlight how much you love a simple schedule
• Looking for ways to increase income tells me you value money
• Keeping up your beauty routine?  You value beauty

Again, this is important because it can give you CLUES about what needs to heal in your life or career.  If your career (or life) doesn't reflect what you VALUE and isn't an outlet for your TALENTS/STRENGTHS, you'll feel stuck and unhappy.

This is a deep topic, so don't get frustrated if your answer isn't clear.  Do your best with it! Or, ask a friend to tell you what THEY see you doing right now and you might get your answer. 

JOURNAL PROMPT

What are you noticing about yourself, during the Corona pause?  Which of your strengths/talents/values are showing up?