Strut Your Stuff - The Basic Premise

STRUT YOUR STUFF; YOU ARE A GENIUS.

What is your Genius?
We are looking at the core of your potential and resources; the unique special quality that is you. Yes, we are looking at what makes you different. This includes: different intelligences (music, language, visual, body, logic, social, self, naturalist, and existential), talents, strengths, passions, abilities, desires and curiosity. We are looking at what you can do and who you are.

Why Bother?
Knowing yourself and expressing yourself is important part of your life’s journey – experiences. The unique gifts you have contribute to your development and to the world around you. Lie a snowflake you are a one time happening. To strut your stuff is a responsibility to you and the world.


YOU ARE A GENIUS AND DON’T KNOW IT!

Each of us is unique and special. We have things we can do well; things we are very interested in; things that have caught your attention; and things you dream of. These are all indicators of your genius.

Interest tests are a way to find a hint at your job interests. Looking back at things you really enjoyed as a child hint at what is special for you. People you admire, see as mentors or heroes also give you a clue of your genius.

Once you identify the various things that make up your genius then you can pursue them, develop them, and enjoy yourself.

Your genius is a key aspect of yourself to recognize, acknowledge, and utilize. The discovery is an inner journey. Your genes and inborn talents are a foundation. Your family, your community, your culture contribute to developing your genius. Expression of your genius is also related to timing, places, and experiences. Some of these just are, and some of theses you can effect.

Find your genius. Acknowledge your genius. Strut your stuff.


YOU’RE A GENIUS AND WON’T SHOW IT!

Being special make you different. We know we are different, but belonging is part o four human nature. Thus we want to minimize or hide our differences. We have gifts, talents, unique abilities that we enjoy. We can pursue out genius for personal expression or share with others.

To display our genius means we are exposed to praise, ridicule, rejection, or indifference. We like and respond to the praise and recognition. We shout for joy. We beam. We strut our stuff. The challenge is with even one time of ridicule or rejection we can decide to hide. The fear of experiencing the ridicule or rejection again can become very strong even after the initial situation. As a result we experience self doubt. We will also utilize various masks – some for strength – some for hiding. It is easy to hide behind a mask, in a role that is accepted. You can do it well, fit in, be recognized and still minimize your genius or avoid expressing your genius.

Other reasons for not expressing your genius is not wanting to be taken advantage of; the display of your genius is considered to be a personal express for self only; not being appreciated; not taken seriously; not knowing how; and demands of life.


WHAT DO YOU DO WITH YOUR GENIUS?

A beginning place of what to do with your genius is to enjoy it yourself, practice, develop, explore, and play. Another consideration is do you want to have a private or public use of your genius. Keep in mind your genius will sneak in all kinds of places on a daily basis without a deliberate plan – because it is a core part of you. Another factor is contribution to your community, to others ---- considering your genius comes with a responsibility.

Do you want to display/utilize your gift vocationally or avocationally? What ways can you put your various talent, preferences together to contribute in the manner you desire? We can look at different patterns of your life, what you enjoy, what your genius/talents are and then look at occupational and industry patterns to create your vocation. You can tap into the same process for an avocation or pure personal pleasure.


A GENIUS AT WORK AND PLAY!

It is an act of genius to balance all the responsibilities and roles in life. It is also a balancing act to comfortably use, display your genius at work or in play.

Your genius at work as a developed specialty can let you pursue it to your hearts content basically alone or with at team. You can have a focus that does not require balancing lots of roles or interactions.

Your various talents can create the opportunity where you are juggling many activities, tasks, roles and /or interactions. You can benefit from the development of personal management skills – managing your time; setting priorities; setting (with awareness) your preferences (yes, asking what you Want to do is important too); and managing expectations (yours and others).

Being sure to play is key to your balancing act. It may be with strutting your stuff at work -- that you are playing at work.

Having a light hearted free expression – experience of your genius is also important. Knowing how to play with your genius benefits you in all your life roles; having that opportunity as the saying goes “to let your hair hang down”. Playing for playing’s sake alone – to feel free – like soaring – no constraints. (PS It is not frivolous).

We look at our roles and responsibilities – the tasks and time involved for each. Then decide what priorities we have for our roles and which ones we desire to develop. Next we figure out the changes to our time commitments and activities to make the shift happen to our desired roles. Balancing the work, the play and being our special genius self!


A GENIUS ON DISPLAY!

Celebrating your genius can be done in many ways, many forms and many places. Your home or your room is your special place or your own space. Make the space your very own - art, books, music, collections, clothing, furniture, décor – the materials of your genius. The space can be indoors or outdoors.

You can celebrate through your work, your connection in the community, in your play, the places you visit, the things you make, write, create – an expression of your heart.

You can celebrate through discovering, exploring, further experiencing of your desires and wishes. Taking others along for the journey is another way to celebrate. Making a difference or quietly knowing are a celebration. Strut your Stuff. Celebrate!