Wow, another new month already? Crazy how time flies. So this month's topic was I'm Good At and I almost skipped it. First off, I didn't want to come off as conceited with a list like this. It just feels weird to toot your own horn. But on the other hand, it's good to recognize what you do well as it just helps you through life.
So here it is. I'm good at:
- Teaching.
I've found that I actually do well in any teaching situation. When I train a new employee at work I always get told how clearly and efficiently I explain things. But where I really excel is at teaching dance. I've been teaching dance for 15 years now and over the years I've seen that I really have a knack for it. Specifically when it comes to teaching beginners. I have a way of explaining steps and concepts in a way that makes them seem attainable to a newbie.
-Standing My Ground.
I once stood up to a scary, muscly, tattooed guy who was bullying other customers in line at Walmart. I was shaking in my boots as I did it, but I stared him down until he finally cowed and left. I was applauded and one woman thanked me for being an example of strength to her daughter that was with her. I know stubbornness can be seen as a negative trait but there are times when it's a good thing. When I coached high school drill, it was this quality in me that enabled many policy changes in the school that led to a better program and less discrimination against my team and our sport. Every time I had to get up in front of the administration and stand my ground on an issue it was terrifying, but I always got the policy changed or my suggestion approved.
-Seeing the Big Picture.
Even as a little girl I understood that my dad dying was part of a larger plan. It didn't make it any less painful, but it helped me to cope. I have always been able to see things in a logical way. Getting divorced was devastating but when the time came to make a decision, I was able to do it with conviction because I could see far in the future and understand how much better my life would be if I changed course.
-Building Confidence in Others.
This goes along with teaching, really. It's why I'm good at teaching. Because I have the ability to instill confidence in those I'm teaching. I am good at encouraging a beginner to believe in themselves and to not be afraid to try something new. This trait is also why I was able to take a team of inexperienced dancers and make them winners in just a couple of months. I understood from the get go, that they weren't losing because they couldn't do pirouettes. They were losing because they wouldn't lift their heads in confidence. I believed that if I built confidence in them, the dance ability would quickly follow. They just needed to believe in their own worth. I was told that this was one of the reasons why I was named Drill Coach of the Year the following year. Everyone could see the transformation was like magic.
-Prioritizing & Organizing.
I don't like to say multi-tasking because multi-tasking isn't really possible. But I have the ability to assess what steps need to be taken to get to a higher goal and then I'm great at organizing my process, finally executing it all and attaining my goal.
-Debating My Point.
When I need to debate something I'm actually very logical about it. I'm very good at making it impossible for the other person to come back with any sort of argument. I guess this could also be a negative trait, but I'm also able to admit when I'm wrong and back down. This helped me as a coach a lot. I was able to debate my reasons for dismissing team members for breaking the rules. I was able to debate the logic in letting my team have scheduled time in the weight room (it's not just for boys!) and I was able to debate funding for a lot of things that the team needed. Their needs were being ignored because they were girls and they were dancers. I went on to prove that my girls were examples of hard workers, and good students in their school and they deserved to be taken seriously.
-Planning.
I guess this goes along with prioritizing and organizing but I am very good at planning ahead without stressing myself out. I planned my entire wedding all by myself. I put together a business plan for my dance studio and ran the business all by myself.
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In writing this list I am reminded that I get many of these traits from my mother. She stands her ground and stands up for herself. She's had to, being a single, working mother. She is an amazing planner- she's a travel agent after all! When I was growing up she planned many parties, events, and vacations. My friends always said I threw the best parties- but it wasn't me, it was my awesome mom who put it all together! Several times she planned California tours for our dance troupe of 200 +. She organized airline tickets, hotels, places for us to perform, and led the entire group by herself.
She has always been an example of fortitude and hard work to me. She was an excellent teacher, teaching all of us girls how to be strong, how to sew and cook, how to serve others, and many other things. She is also extremely organized. In fact, we used to have people come over to visit our house just so they could take a peek in her kitchen cupboards! Her organization is that impressive, haha!
She is a remarkable lady and I think, in many ways, I'm remarkable because of her. Thanks mom!
