UNICORN THINKS HE'S PRETTY GREAT

Post first published in my personal newsletter

© 2016 Mabelle Photography

Did you know you have a talent that is more developed than any of your friends? You can do something that nobody else around you can. The trick is, knowing what that is.

Now I'm not an advocate of "everybody is special" or "you can do anything you put your head to" because the reality is, you might not be suited for some things. I do, however, believe that every person on this planet has a special skill. Some people don't nurture that skill. Even more  people don't even know what that skill is. 

I mean of course you can do anything you put your mind to if you are 100 percent healthy, 5 years old, and you know nothing bad will ever happen to your health. If I put my mind to it right now, I probably could not play pro basketball. I'm almost 30 and I am 5'5''. Even if I give it my all for the next 5 years I will be mediocre at best. On the other hand if we look at what I have already put time in learning, in five years, it is completely rational to think I could, with hard work, be a photojournalist, a cartoonist, or a typographer.

You have to look at YOUR strengths, not everybody else's.
So many times, I hear people talk about how others become successful. I hear people say "THEY have the money to do that." or "IF ONLY I had more time." The truth is as satisfying as these are to say to ourselves... It's preventing YOU from moving forward with your passion. 

Maybe you are right. Your competition could and probably does have more money than you. Maybe they also have more time than you, but excuses are just there to tell yourself it is ok not to try. Don't fall for it.

Forget about what they have. This is the wrong time to give up. It's also the wrong time to talk about other people. You are wasting your time understanding how others make it. You are not them and their strategy will not work for you. Think about yourself. Where do you have strength that others do not. If you don't know, we need to find it.

most people don't even realize they have something special going on. A lot of times it takes outside advice to find it. It sounds conceited and it might be out of your comfort zone, but if you have to, ask your closest friends what you do best. I guarantee it will start you in the right direction. Friends might not know everything about you, but they usually know your strengths and weaknesses.

Combine that skill with your passion.
If your friends say, you are good with animals but you love photography, for heaven's sakes start taking beautiful pictures of animals. the world needs your talents and skills.

Some people love their talents/gifts, others aren't so sure about them. Instead of just wanting other's talents/gifts, look at your own gifts and see where/how you can use them to get to your goal. Mixing your special skill with your passion will give you individuality and the leg up you are looking for. 

"Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great" is a story about a goat who thinks Unicorn is the most talented and lucky creature in school. He can make it rain cupcakes and fly and all Goat can do is make Marshmellow bars and ride a bike.

That all changes when Unicorn meets Goat. Unicorn swoons over Goats horns, they are perfect for Soccer, Goat can stand on tall mountains with his special feet but Unicorn can not stand on tall mountains with hooves. Unicorn shows Goat what he is good at. 

I think this book shows a few important lessons about greener sides and such but it is important to learn what others can teach you about yourself and what you can teach others about themselves. 

Out of everyone in this world, you have a different gift to give. It is your responsibility to figure out what that gift is and give it.

Enjoy what you have.