The first time that I felt special and gifted was when I read Barbara Sher’s book, “I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was.” Not the whole book mind you, just 6 pages on what she called, “Scanners.”Â
Scanner are people who love lots of things, but also drop them because they have an insatiable curiosity that leads them to the next thing and the next one. She actually thought my ability to quit things was awesome!
And then, I started noticing people like me everywhere. Her books were filled with amazing ideas for how people could turn their gifts into businesses, so I would share my knowledge and try to help them out.
A while later, I got introduced to Marcus Buckingham and his Gallup Strengths-Finder test. That test gave me the actual words for my gifts (or superpowers) –Â Strategic, Futuristic, Activator, Maximizer, and Woo.Â
So then when I’d meet these Scanners, I’d have them do the test too and then, I’d do this sort of magic trick where I would combine them into a few possible niches that they could have never come up with on their own, and all these new entrepreneurs were born!
For years, I did these mitzvahs (good deeds)/free consulting sessions. I’d see the gold, do my magic, and pivot a lot of people’s businesses, but I couldn’t imagine anyone would want to pay a business coach for advice when they’re not a huge succe$$, so I didn’t do anything with it and wasted years going down the wrong path.