How Would You Answer These Two Questions?

by Heather Lindsay Sell, ShoutOUT® Tampa Bay
June 10, 2019

**This post was not sponsored and is based solely on my personal opinions and experiences.

The Game is Afoot

“My mind is like a racing engine, tearing itself to pieces because it is not connected up with the work for which it was built.” -Sherlock Holmes

I recently discovered Christy Wright while flipping randomly through radio stations on my drive home from Tampa. Christy is the creator, author, and speaker of the Business Boutique where she helps women entrepreneurs build and grow their business, turning passion into profit.

Christy was hosting a segment on the Dave Ramsey radio show and answering a question from a call-in user on how to identify a person’s strengths. This caller was struggling. She desperately wanted her own business so that she could earn money while staying home with her kids, but was at a loss as to what her strengths might be in order to take that step.

Hmm. Interesting. Well, I can relate to that! I’ve been struggling with not only trying identify my strengths for some time, but also in turning those strengths into action. Ok. Curiosity firmly piqued.

Christy answered the caller’s quandary with a series of 5 “E” discovery questions. All 5 questions spoke to me; but two of them in particular immediately resonated and spoke to me without much thought.: “What do you ENJOY?” and “What do others ENCOURAGE in you?” Christy went on to explain how the questions can help you identify those strengths when answered and how to apply them.

Alrighty. I’m in. Let’s do this. I can use all the help I can get. Over the years, I’ve taken Strength Finder surveys and personality assessments, which have helped identify some things, but not so much in how to apply. And nothing really made as much sense to me as the way she posed the questions to ask myself.

I Feel Stuck

Lately in my own life, especially after my daughter moved to Washington state 2 years back (Yes, Washington State clear on the other corner of the U.S.) and in becoming an empty-nester, I’ve been feeling stuck and in a rut. Like I’m simply on auto-pilot, going through the motions with no real direction and no real purpose. Ever feel that way? Don’t misunderstand. There are many things in my life that I find fulfilling and give me purpose. My family and friends. Hobbies, adventures, and my time at the animal rescue volunteering.

There’s just this irritating niggling way down deep that there’s something more I’m meant to do or be. What is it? I have NO idea. Oh gosh, this is so frustrating. Kind of like that feeling when you leave the house and you know you’ve forgotten something, but can’t quite put your finger on what it is.

Here’s the problem. I’ve always struggled with the question, “What am I good at? REALLY good at.” Oh no. Not that question. Picture that immediate deer-in-the-headlights panic and an, “Um. I don’t know” response.

So, when Christy answered the call-in user’s questions with these 5 discovery questions and I was able to answer some of the questions without much thought, I felt a glimmer of hope and excitement.

Growing up, it was considered vain, boastful, arrogant, and conceited to think or verbalize what you did well. You just did them and never spoke of them for fear of retribution. Enough of that crap! I knew I had to get past that roadblock in my head.

This floundering feeling sucks and I knew I needed to forage and discover, well, me. Because in finding my strengths, I also knew I would be truly tapping into who I am, what makes me happy, and what gives me purpose. That “aha” moment where everything I’m doing and have done that gives me joy makes sense. Where I can tamper that niggling and just know what I’m meant for and where what I want to do has direction, purpose, and a roadmap.

ShoutOUT® Satisfaction

I launched ShoutOUT® Tampa Bay years ago in 2009 as a hobby. It stemmed from my own frustration at finding or hearing of fun events or things-to-do AFTER the fact. Not before when I could share with my friends, or attend myself.

So, I went on a hunt. I began posting these discoveries and “sightings” of cool events, openings, restaurant launches on my personal Facebook page, then amazed at the responses, I decided to create a dedicated Facebook page for my forays, excursions, and discoveries. That’s how ShoutOUT® came to be.

People would excitedly comment, “Oh my gosh, this is fantastic! I had no idea this was going on or that it was even a thing.” My mom helped me settle on the name.  “You post “shoutouts”, so why don’t you call it that?” she said. Voila! ShoutOUT® Tampa Bay was born.

Answering the Two Questions – Enjoy and Encourage

My problem. I have so many interests, ideas, and things that I love to do, but I really need to narrow down and focus on my strengths, for both myself and ShoutOUT®. No pressure. At all. So, back to the two questions: “What do I enjoy?” and “What do others encourage in me?”

What do I enjoy? What did I love to do as a kid that I still enjoy now? I remember wanting to be a detective, like Sherlock Holmes. I loved mysteries. There’s always been that curiosity and love for adventures, exploring, peeking behind the curtain, which explains why I get a high from finding cool and unique places to experience, discover, and share with others. Food. Well, that’s a family trait I think. I adore food, so also being able to taste and experience so many different cuisines and restaurants, then describing and sharing the experiences through words and photos makes me happy.

What do others encourage in me? When it comes to this, my mind immediately flashes back to friends or co-workers asking me for help in locating something that they just can’t seem to find themselves– an image, a template, a gift, converting this to that, an app, an address, a piece of information, a product, etc. “I’m looking for this, but can’t find it. Can you help?” Or “Any recommendations for what I can do with my family flying into town?” and “If anyone can find it, I know you can.”

But it really wasn’t until Christy had posed those two questions during her podcast and I began pondering that I realized these things are some of my strengths. I enjoy them. I’m energized by them. They come easy to me. And I want to share them.  

Adventurer at Heart

If you’ve read my blog, you know I’m an adventurer at heart, thanks mostly to my grandfather and passed down. It was with him I had my first motorcycle ride at 4-years-old, big ole helmet and all. As I got older, I can remember my mom and then later with me calling Papa up and simply asking, “Wanna go on an adventure?” and his answer was always a hearty, “Yep! Do I need to hook up the trailer?” It wasn’t until we’d be headed out that he’d ask where we were off to. I loved that he was that way. And what a wonderful spirit to rub off on my mom, brothers, and our kids.

Our family adventures have included ziplining over gators and crocs, axe throwing, touching an ice berg, almost getting eaten by tigers (I’m ok with not having that kind of adventure again), meeting knights and mermaids, chatting with celebrities, Klingons, and Stormtroopers, and so much more.

All of this excites me and gives me energy. I feel fired up. I feel like I’m the detective on a case, solving the mystery of where to go next – the Sherlock of Adventures. Haha And all this from a couple of pointed questions that spoke to me.

I’m excited about this discovery in myself and as it relates to that all I am and want to be and explore personally and professionally and for ShoutOUT®. I ended up purchasing Christy’s book “Business Boutique: A Woman’s Guide for Making Money Doing What She Loves” and am also planning on attending Christy’s 3-day annual Business Boutique event in Nashville snagging one of my friends, where her and other speakers will hopefully expand my horizons, and continue to increase clarity and insight.

In closing, here are a few questions for you, my friends: Do you ever feel stuck? What have found that helps you move forward? Are you struggling with discovering your strengths too? Would love to hear your tips, tricks, and resources that helped. That may help me and others too. Feel free to post your thoughts in the comments section below this post.

Here’s more information if you’re interested in learning more about Christy Wright and the Business Boutique: I also discovered the code BBWRIGHT for a $10 discount off an event ticket.

Website: http://bit.ly/2WbuEra

Podcasts: http://bit.ly/2Z0T7kX Business Boutique Event occurs October 24-26, 2019 in Nashville, TN: http://bit.ly/BBEventNash