This morning’s roundtable, which was a part of my Canadian Women’s Network program, was about How Women Lead. And it was filled with a great number of thought provoking questions that I thought this one would be perfect for a writing topic.

I write and talk about this often but it cannot be understated.

If it’s not something that you already know, then I invite you to ask yourself, what is your unique strength?

What do you do better than anyone else?  Where do you soar?

Perhaps it’s something that is effortless. Perhaps it’s something that you do and gain huge benefit from.

Here is a hint … It’s one thing that makes you stand out. It gives you an unfair advantage, except it’s completely fair because its your unique skill.

Today the group shared things like …. Sleep; Pulling together a meal for 10 people when you only have enough for two. Networking. Bringing people together.

The other day I listened to a successful founder talk about the 50+ books he reads each year, consistently. So your Superpower could be … Being insatiably curious.

If nothing comes to mind then this is the perfect place to start thinking and doing some writing.

And have some fun with it too!

What’s Your Superpower?

It seems like no matter where I turn to these days, the answer always includes gratitude.

There are hundreds, or I’m sure thousands (maybe more), of books that have been written on the art and importance of gratitude.  And after decades of being an adult and reading (now listening) to many of them … I agree.

But writing or feeling grateful in a moment (especially when something has brought you down or you’re finding it hard to be positive at all) can be … well, incredibly hard.

But life is hard — so we must forge on.

And therefore in that moment, and for today’s writing topic … I want you to write three things you’re grateful for.  They don’t have to be long or complicated, deep or philosophical … they just have to be real for you in this moment.

You could be grateful for waking up today and feeling healthy.  For today being a Sunday. For the sunshine — or the rain. Or maybe you’re grateful because you made it to the end of the day.

Regardless — I believe acknowledging gratitude in the Universe is one of the best uses of our time. So I invite you to do this daily, if only to list three things.

In 2000 the hit movie Pay it Forward came out about a young boy who wanted to make the world a better place after his teacher gives him that chance.

Ever since, the term and sentiment caught on and we use it in our daily lives – be it in our personal life or business world.

Every city, community, household, corporate environment or ecosystem has its own unique characteristics.  In Silicon Valley many people, both inexperienced entrepreneurs to the most highly influential leaders, will say we live by a “Pay it Forward” model.  And the reason they time out of their day to meet with you, share their experiences or provide a meaningful introduction, is because someone did it for them.   And it is one of the things I love the most about the Valley.

My Day 4 writing topic is around the the features and flaws that you experience in your world. It is an invitation to think about one positive characteristic and write how you can either enhance it if you have it exists already, or adopt it if it’s missing.  Perhaps it’s the Pay it Forward mentality, a random act of kindness or something else. Think about what would bring you to joy to give, and receive in return.

The best way to make change is to be the change. And change always starts with a small act that grows.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. 

– Margaret Mead