Yesterday as I was listening to a podcast about facilitating effective writers’ workshops, I felt incredibly energized. And noticing that helped me recognize a central need of mine.
In whatever capacity, in whatever context, one of the things that makes me feel most alive is being involved in, or simply in proximity to, the process of sharpening.
Skills, ideas, or conduct. Personal, professional, or in between. If it’s someone or many someone’s actively working to make themselves or others better at something, I’m in. It’s probably why I like coaching. And music. And projects. And feedback. And writing. And teaching. And ideas. And humility. And reading. And behavior. And interpersonal dynamics. And organizational change. And traveling. And hard things. And entrepreneurship.
Yeah, I’m not sure why I hadn’t summed that up before.
What’s a central theme of yours?
-LS
Ah this is such a great realization. These types of things are so often the hardest to pin point in ourselves, these large themes, cause we just don’t think to connect our own disparate interests in that way (or at least, I don’t).
This very week I had a similar realization. I connected a few dots to form the picture that I love to direct. That I love to peer over someone’s shoulder and give them the nudges to help see my vision through. I don’t know why I’ve never really realized that DIRECTING is something I actually want to do, specifically. I’ve always thought of directing as simply the way to get my art into the world, a means to an end. But I’ve never thought of directing as the end. As the artform. As the activity that brings life and energy and exctiement.
These are always fun realizations to come to.
That is EXCELLENT news… I’m trying really hard not to say “duh”… 🙂 Just kidding. I can just very easily see that. I’m excited for that realization for you.
-LS
I think the thing I’ve realized lately is that I like demonstrating – whether that’s dancing on stage; guiding someone through new concepts with training materials I’ve created; achieving a goal at the far edge of my capacity; or listening and reminding people that what they’re feeling is normal & may be connected to xyz, etc. I doubt demonstrating is the best word, but that’s my first thought.
Ooh, that’s so good. I love that the word you used is demonstrating. And I love that you have such distinct worlds in which you can do it effectively.
-LS