The Skills We Forget We Have
Hey lovely Reader
I’ve been thinking a lot about the idea of cross-skilling this week – how we carry strengths from one part of our life into another, often without realising.
Sometimes we believe we can’t do something simply because we’ve never done it in that context. We tell ourselves we’re 'no good with conflict', 'terrible at practical details', or 'just an overthinker' – yet there may be other moments in our life where we manage these things with ease.
The psychologist Albert Bandura once wrote about this as part of his work on self-efficacy: “People’s beliefs about their abilities have a profound effect on those abilities.” When we trust that we’re capable, we’re far more likely to use the skills we already have. But if we forget to look for them – or keep parts of our life too separate – we can miss them completely.
To continue these thoughts, the following questions can be interesting to explore:
- Where do I handle something well, without thinking too much about it?
- What is it that makes things easier for me there?
- Could any of those skills or mindsets be gently brought into an area I find harder?
I share more on this – including a slightly off-piste (but pertinent!) story about my 'ant brain' and how I once refused to use valuable corporate experience in my coaching work – in this week’s podcast.
If you’re curious, settle in, have a listen and see where the episode takes you.
May you be safe, may you be happy, may you be well, may you live with ease.
With love
PS: In the episode I also touch on supporting people at risk of - or experiencing - burn out. If that sparks something for you, and you want to talk to find out more, just press reply.