Today is Day 3 of your reinvention crash course for 2015.
 
If the missed the two days, you can check them out here
 
Today’s topic is all about finding your focus on life.
 
“We can’t help everyone but everyone can help someone.”
 
I love this quote because it reminds me of the grand design of the universe. Like nature, everything serves a purpose. Everything has a brilliance.
 
When we let go of the superficial distractions and expectation of the external world, we can see clearly how we who and how we were meant to serve. And that brings me to today topic.
There is a principle that Jim Collins in his book, Good to Great calls The Hedgehog Concept is based on an ancient Greek parable that states: “The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing.”
In the parable, the fox uses a variety of strategies to try to catch the hedgehog. It sneaks, pounces, races, and plays dead.
 
And yet, every time, it walks away defeated, with a nose full of spines. The fox never learns that the hedgehog knows how to do one thing perfectly: defend itself.
 
Philosopher Isaiah Berlin took this parable and applied it to the modern world in his 1953 essay, “The Hedgehog and the Fox.” Berlin divided people into two groups: foxes and hedgehogs.
 

He describes foxes as sleek and shrewd animals that pursue many goals and interests at the same time. Because of this wide variety of interests and strategies, their thinking is scattered and unfocused, and they are limited in what they can achieve in the long run.

Hedgehogs, however, are slow and steady, and people often overlook them because they’re quiet and unassuming. But, unlike the fox, they are able to simplify the world and focus on one overarching vision. It’s this principle that guides everything they do, and helps them succeed against all odds.
 
Focus is where your talents cross what the world most needs.

When we discover this, we make an impact on the people that we are meant to help.

And we learn the lessons we are meant to teach in life.

There are no wasted experiences in life. When you connect the dots to your passions, experiences, and talents, you get more clarity on what you’re meant to do.

Below is a great free test based your character strengths. It was develop by Martin Selgman, considered the father of positive psychology and Dr. Neal H. Mayerson. It’s their theory that people that are happy and fulfilled are using their natural gifts on a daily bases.

 
Action step: Check out this free short assessment here.
http://www.viacharacter.org

What I love about this assessment is that it’s based on activities that breathe life to your being – your character virtues rather than tests that are based on skills.

Here is a sample of my results below.

 
1. Creativity: Thinking of new ways to do things is a crucial part of who you are. You are never content with doing something the conventional way if a better way is possible.

2. Love of learning: You love learning new things, whether in a class or on your own. You have always loved school, reading, and museums-anywhere and everywhere there is an opportunity to learn.

3. Honesty: You are an honest person, not only by speaking the truth but by living your life in a genuine and authentic way. You are down to earth and without pretense; you are a “real” person.

 
Action Steps: After you receive your character strengths back, ask yourself.

Exercise #1. Past Reflection: Ask yourself when you have demonstrated your strengths in the past. How did it make you feel? What were you doing?

Exercise #2. Future Visioning: Write a calling description. It’s like a job description for yourself on how you’d like to spend your days. Tie them into your character strengths. Find ways to radiate them out.

 
Exercise #3: Create a personal practice such as a morning ritual or new habit to help you foster your character virtues. People that work in their strengths zone are not only happier but 16 times more productive. (based on gallup survey from strenghfinders.com)
 
Example using my #1 strength:

Example of Exercise #1: Past

 
Creativity: I have felt most fulfilled when I use my creativity to helping people discover their gifts and express it to the world.
 

 Example of Exercise #2: Visioning 

I use my creativity everyday thinking of ideas to help differentiate my clients. I help create new products/services and marketing campaigns that attract ideal clients. I work with multi-talented entrepreneurs that want to make an impact with their gifts.

Example of Exercise #3: Rituals & Integration
 
My core desired feeling is to feel creatively productive. I write and work on my speaking everyday through journaling, blogging, and creating videos.
 
I meditate, run, or do yoga everyday so so my creativity can be nurtured and expanded.
 
What I love about this exercise is that it focuses on your gifts + values. When you focus on expanding the experiences (think of specific activities) that make you strong and happy, you’ll flow into creating the right opportunities for money and joy.
 
Don’t overthink this one, think about the activities that make you feel good. I know you’ll find new clarity and direction like I did.
 
And if you’re ready to take the next step, check out my training video on how you can connect all the dots to find your sweet spot. I go through a case study and you can download a complimentary worksheet.
 
 
I’d love to hear what you came up with!
 
If you’d like to chat about what you came up with, you can apply for a discovery session here.