My Top 3 Skills

Years back I was given a writing assignment entitled "My Many Virtues". It was a difficult paper for me to write because it was well out of my comfort zone. The virtues I chose, the content of my writing and the final grade are all things I've forgotten. All I remember is the amount of frustration associated with it and how much I struggled to write it. It's not within my personality to say great things about myself. However, at this point in my life I'm choosing to speak up. I'm building myself a personal brand and for this reason I'm highlighting qualities of mine I believe are the strongest. I just want to first make clear my intentions are not out of pride, I'm just taking baby steps here.

"Life is too short not to create something with every breath we draw." - Maynard James Keenan

For each month in my 2018 planner I have a quote from a favorite musician of mine. It's fitting that today happens to be May, 1st and that this month's quote highlights my strongest skill - creativity.

​Creativity is in my core. It's literally how I'm wired. That's a fact that will never vanish even if I wanted it to. (Don't worry, that'll never happen - I love being creative!) Such a huge part of who I am is creativity, I can't imagine life being another way. I could list thousands upon thousands of examples as to why that is, and I know those closest to me would agree. I've always been one to come up with ideas. I dream. I create. Whether that be music, graphics, writings, etc. Creativity's always been there and it's not leaving anytime soon.

​I'd say my next strongest skill actually stems from my creativity - communication. Both written and verbal. I'm introverted and I've always been very shy. Growing up I rarely spoke. Never in a million years would I have guessed at age 17 I'd be skilled in communication, but here I am.

During the summer of my high school freshman year, I had a crazy idea to take a college course in public speaking. I did it, I survived, and I walked away from that class with a confidence to speak to large audiences. Communication's always been there, it just needed a quick jumpstart. Now it's not rare for someone to be shocked when they hear I'm actually introverted. (Again, I never thought I'd be saying this!)

Finally, drive. That's the third skill. I'll let my communication skills speak as proof for my drive. (I never would've taken that college class without a quick pep-talk from my old pal drive!) But if there's one thing I know about myself, it's that I'm determined. When I get a creative idea, I use two skills to make it a reality: communication, and drive. 

​Yes it's true that I'm shy. And yes it's true that I doubt myself - I'm human! But I'm always trying to push myself and I'm always looking for opportunities to become a better person. That's the drive that I have within me, constantly working to help me grow.