We are not born with a user manual

We can, however, discover our strengths and weaknesses when we try everything out for ourselves.

I told 41 years of students they weren't born with a user manual, and they need to try everything during high school to find out what they are naturally good at and what humbles them; then work on the things that humble you, focus on the things you do well, and help others along the way. (There’s a handy graphic to hang or in your school or classroom.)

I remember a high school student who was adopted and told me he had no idea what he was capable of doing. Amazed that it took that long for a student to share his truth with an educator, I told him “It’s a good thing it doesn’t matter, because you have within yourself the ability to discover it yourself! Try everything. Challenge yourself. What comes naturally? What can you do well when you work hard on it?.”

It’s why I always identify what the person is doing well when I encounter it. Believe it or not, most people are not self-aware.

The president of a Seattle community college spoke to our faculty about this. She said their typical community college student had no idea what they did well. Often, telling a student or friend or colleague what you see that they naturally do really well is the first time they have ever heard it, she said.

It’s a powerful technique, especially at the beginning of the year.

For an educator to do this, it helps if you know about your students outside of class, and how they do in their other classes and on the field or stage, too. Then offer them those experiences to practice not only what humbles them, but also what they already excel in doing.

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