Now that’s a great question?….It’s a real thought-provoking question, yet, I know we’ve all had people tell us from time to time, what great cooks we are, what great speakers we are, how great we are at interior decorating…or maybe they’ve said, “you’re so talented…I could never do that”, or “wow, you really hit the ball well….what a natural talent!” But, are the things that we’re good at or excel at, are they are gifts?
Maybe they are, but I’d like explore this “gift” thing a little deeper with you, so bear with me.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been reading Seth Godin’s latest book, Linchpin…you might have guessed this from my past few blogs….His question on the front of the book is “Are you Indispensable?”….of course, we’d like to think of ourselves as indispensable…but, as I got into the book…he mentions that the people that are truly indispensable are the ones that: practice their art, are crazy about their art, have drawn their own map to do their art,….and are now giving this gift, their art!
….Of course some have been able to monetize their art and have made a living out of it…but, the fact remains…they have become indispensable….they are unique, they are great at what they do, they put every ounce of emotional labor into what they do…and they give it away, freely.
The mere fact that they are not thinking every waking moment about making money doing their art is key. They truly want to create art and give their gift! And yet, these are the very people that are generous, fulfilled, happy, living life to its’ fullest. They are attracting the “right” people/customers to them, and yes, they seem to be doing just fine…and they can still pay the bills. You’ve seen these people, you’ve come into contact with them…on a daily basis, I hope. They are not the CEOs in the ivory towers….of course they could be, it they chose to be indispensable, but 9 times out of 10….these people are the ones that inspire us, make us laugh with joy, are able to make you, the customer, feel like you’re the most important person in their lives right now…in that instant! They are the people that value relationships, that value connection, that have an indescribable “brilliance” about them. They might be the bag boy at the grocery store, the waiter at your favorite restaurant, the landscaper that works alongside his crew, the teacher that buys supplies out of her own pocket because she wants her students to be able to create art too, the nurse who puts a little extra human attention and care into her job because she understands how miserable it is to be sick and away from home.
They all are doing Art. So, what is art?…Art is a skill that is uniquely yours and that skill becomes art the minute, the second, you stop thinking about how to do it…it becomes natural to you, it’s your identity, it’s your stamp on society.(Think about great golfers, great pianist, great painters, great chefs, great writers). When you don’t even have to think about it…it just happens, you’ve become your “art” and your “art” has become you. Everyone can be an artist, because everyone has the potential to turn a unique skill of theirs into Art…but you’ve got to want it. You’ve got to have the will, the discipline, the motivation, and the ability to shut off that lizard brain of yours and go for it!
These people are finding the parts of their job that they love….and they are creating art. It’s unique to them, it’s not something that can be replicated, or commoditized….it’s their undeniable gift they are willing to give to other’s.
So, back to my first question, What’s Your Gift! What is it that you bring to the table? What is it that your employer finds “remarkable” about you? Please, don’t tell me that you just show up, do your job
(based on their map) and go home. Because if you are, then you’re probably completely frustrated, or you’re finding an outlet to do your art outside of work. Maybe you’re coaching little league, singing in the church choir, organizing a fund raiser for a family in need, or performing the role of president for your HOA. None of these things are bad, or wrong to do…in fact, it’s great if you are contributing after hours…we/your community needs you! But, why aren’t you contributing like that at work? If it’s an issue of the company culture, the boss, or you just haven’t gotten the opportunity to share your gift…then, you have a choice….either try to change the culture, express your thoughts/ideas with the boss and show them, through your actions, just how indispensable you are (difficult to do, but can happen)….or, find a better place to share your gifts and do your art!
The point is this, we must stop thinking of ourselves as commodities, as just another cog in the wheel. Why would you want to spend your days laboring in the factory, when you could be out performing your art, and giving your gifts? We are at the right place, at the right time in history to embrace our true selves, our artistic selves, our unique personalities that create unique art. Our art is not everyone else’s art…that’s why it’s called art. It’s up to us to decide how we choose to express our art. But once we know what our art is….let’s do it, do it well, do it loud, and start giving it away! (It really is time for MORE COWBELL).
Now, not everyone will want to become an artist and give their gifts and become indispensable…but, that’s okay, they’ll stay in the factory. The one’s that get it, the one’s that say no to standardization, commoditization, and conformity will win. Yes, I know some of the things we love to do….and we do because of our talent, abilities, and incredible gifts we’ve been given, may not be able to be turned into money making ventures…right away. Heck, they may never make you great money…but, don’t stop doing your art…because it can lead to other great opportunities, you may have never thought of, that will make you money. So, my point is that whatever job you’ve decided to do, whatever company you’ve decided to join….love something about it. Love what you do! It may not be possible, for the time being, to do what you love.
Let me explain this point a little better. We’ve all heard the saying….”Do your Passion”. That’s great….and some of us will be fortunate enough to do “what” we love….and make a living from it. But, for the rest of us, we might want to think of this a little differently. Let’s try to look at what we do…and start to find the stuff about the job we do that we absolutely love!
I have a great example of this. True story. I know a clerk, Mary, in the drive-thru lane at McDonalds…..Mary loves her job. I can tell. Every time I go through the drive-thru, (just getting a cup of coffee, not a Big Mac) Mary’s usually there, with a smile on her face, a pleasant manner, always asking us how we are….what’s new in our world, etc. and cheerful…bubbly, really pleasant. She literally makes you feel better, just by going through the drive thru at McDonalds! That’s powerful stuff. That’s becoming indispensable…a true Linchpin. And the Manager at McDonald’s knows it! She’s been on local morning TV/Radio….and the Manager has actually put a Banner on the outside of this McDonald’s publicizing that “Mary” works there and to come see her.
The strange thing is …this is a Drive-thru…it’s supposed to be quick, faster than going inside, very few words should be exchanged, just money , and the clerks should only be confirming your order, right? Couldn’t be farther from the truth….at this McDonalds. They obviously are not graded on speed, number of hamburgers sold per minute, etc. They must be encouraged to make lasting customers, to make the drive-thru experience a happy and memorable one.
The funny thing is, the customers waiting in the line don’t care if they have to wait, there’s always a line…and it keeps getting bigger. I walked inside one day…it was empty…everyone was waiting in line to talk with “Mary”, the Cheerful Drive-thru Clerk. Now…that’s a Linchpin…although she doesn’t know it. She just knows that she’s found a job and within that job she’s found something she absolutely loves to do…talk with her customers and make sure they’re getting their needs met….nourishment! She’s turned taking people’s money into art, and is truly giving a gift to everyone she comes in contact with… the gift of connection, humanity, generosity, and kindness.
We all can bring Gifts…we all have a gift to bring. That’s really not the question. The question becomes are we ready to look at what we do each day, what skills we possess, what talents we have, what unique abilities we’ve been given, and turn just one of those skills into art? Do it so well, that it becomes our reason for being, our gift? We can choose to become indispensable. Are we ready to create art, take a risk, give our gift? I sure do hope so….The World is counting on it!
