"What do you do?" That's the first writing assignment I want from you as my student. But I don't mean "what job do you perform." I mean "What have you learned to do because you were persistent; because you tried; because you were determined to succeed. And WHY did it make a difference in your life because you stayed with it--even if it was hard-tough-took up your time, etc.? And in the long run, you're better for it. It's something you're proud of; an accomplishment that means a lot to you; it makes a difference in WHO you are now. It built character in you--and you're a better person for it." In other words, "What do you do well that you once-upon-a-time didn't, or couldn't--but you were willing to stay with it and master it?"
I want to know WHAT you learned to do because it was difficult but you had to stay with the job, or the idea, or the lessons to master it. I want to know WHY this particular skill, talent, or ability was--and is--so important to you--that you are happy to tell me about it BECAUSE it made you smarter, stronger, or more confident.
Can you cook? Are you skilled at preparing food? (That's hand-eye and measurement as well as time management.) Are you musically inclined? Can you read music? (It's like a 2nd language, really, and that's hand-eye and analytics.) Perform on an instrument? Do you learn by moving (drummers especially; think of how hard it was to learn independent limb control): are you a dancer, or do you find martial arts to be your skill? How about mechanical talents: can you assemble, build, or figure out the complex ideas of operating something and what makes it work?
How about building: can you see spatial plans and assemble or create? Are you artistically inspired to draw, paint, carve, or release something from your imagination into a tangible?
Are you a people-person? Do you work with ideas, thoughts, images, or coaching? Can you motivate, inspire, encourage, or promote? Have you sales skills, the ability to make people believe in your ideas? Are you motivated by the need to nurture, heal, or save something or someone? Are you creative with words, sounds, colors, or textures? Can you do things with available space or organize?
What IS it you do well because you had a goal, a dream, or a determination to be "good" at something; tell me about this. Tell me WHY this matters to you and HOW it came to be; tell me WHO was the person who showed this to you (or did you come by this yourself?) WHO made you do this? WHO inspired you; who put the idea in your mind, or where did you go for support and help to get better at this. HOW did you learn things about this idea, job, skill, or talent, and HOW was it valuable: HOW have you used it or done it?
HOW LONG has this been a part of your life, and HOW do you see this playing a part in your future? I want to know--and it will be useful for you to learn how to make your answer a part of your future--and the future of others who may learn by you. And you just may find this answer VERY useful in a job interview when you explain this idea--because it shows you have DETERMINATION, ENDURANCE, AND PERSEVERANCE to not only learn something, but because you were motivated, had initiative, and had a drive for success and achievement that you WANT to offer to your potential employer.
Got that?
PS: LOL. I used to have raging stage fright and be quiet. Confidence, which for me came through teaching, does a wonderful thing when you let it out and become yourself. You learned that through challenges like the ones I shared. Those are SKILLZ. You know it.
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