Most people do not believe that they are brilliant! In fact, they generally attribute brilliance to people like Albert Einstein or Steve Jobs. The top people in the world who have IQs of 190 to 210 are names that most of us are unfamiliar with but, they do exist in different parts of the world with careers that range from a mathematician/computer scientist to a columnist. All of them are highly successful in their fields of knowledge and are consistent contributors to society.
The Brilliance I’m Talking About
The brilliance I’m talking about is not solely found in a person’s overall IQ. It is combined with their character, values, and potential. In fact, the definition of “brilliance” is: “intense brightness of light, vividness, intensity, great brightness, candor, dazzle, luminance and splendor” (Merriam-Webster).
In addition, according to Roget’s Thesaurus, synonyms of brilliance are listed as: talent, excellence, inspiration, and wisdom. Surely, you are able to equate with at least one of these descriptions of brilliance and probably more than one.
Yes, I truly believe that each person in the entire world has his/her own brilliance. The problem in finding your brilliance comes with not knowing how to tap into it. Maybe you know that you have a special talent but, you are not interested in taking the time nor the energy to develop it. There are probably many reasons for this attitude but, this will take another article and I will discuss it at a later date.
The Clock Is Ticking & Time Is Running Out
The world is waiting for your unique brilliance to unfold. I am convinced by the many people I have spoken to and coached over the years that every person has more than one talent and most of the time, they hide it from their friends, family, and the public. This is sad because the world is waiting for you and your brilliance. But the saddest part is that your talent is probably already a passion you harbor. For others, it may be something they have not admitted to and consequently, it may be lying dormant within their subconscious.
Time Does Not Stand Still For Anyone or Anything
Time does not stand still; it just keeps moving at a steady pace. One day, you may wake up and realize that you could have, should have, but did not give everything you have to bring yourself the job or accomplishment you were capable of producing. For example, it took me many years to realize that my education meant more to me than I had originally thought. I wanted and needed my degree from college and finally, one day after the economic downturn of 2008, I returned to school for a long-awaited accomplishment. After I attained my degree in psychology and sociology, I felt the need to serve others. It gave me an unexpected surge of confidence and security that I had not considered before…it was truly a gift.
I continue on my journey with challenges, but my degree changed the course of my life as I expanded my thinking and aimed for my passion and contribution to the world.
How Your Brilliance Can Make You Shine Like a Star in the Night & Change Your Life Forever
Here’s how to find, develop, and live your brilliance….
Start With Listing Your Brilliant Assets:
1) Make a list of all your special talents. Choose and focus on one that especially makes you happy and creates a passionate drive toward developing it and a desire to create. If you focus on too many things at a time, you will use your energy and may detract from giving your full attention to creating something successful.
For example: For me, my passion became interacting with people while serving them and trying to help solve their problems. I incorporated it with my creative side of writing and speaking, which also serves others by enlightenment and constructive living for self-improvement. It makes me feel happy and accomplished in serving others and not thinking of myself.
Changing Attitudes Will Help Immensely
2) You will have to change your attitude approach to a new way of thinking. Both of our positive and negative patterns (habits) are embedded deep inside us. To change patterns into positive ones, it takes a lot of consistency, awareness, and replacing of… “out with the old and in with the new”. I am happy to report to you that it does, in fact, work with persistence and some guidance with an expert; but, it also takes your effort and focus, over time.
Journal Your Life Away
3) Once you have made changes in your attitude and have clearly identified your talent and passion, then you must record your progress to date. I know you have heard this before, but it is imperative to “journal” or at least jot down your strides and give them the recognition they deserve for existing and being available to you. In other words, be thankful and gracious toward your small accomplishments as they occur. Remind yourself of how brilliant you are for getting this far and continuing on. Consciously acknowledge your small accomplishments, which will become your inspiration and motivation.
Giving-Up In Exchange For Success
4) Remember, in fulfilling any long-awaited dream, it will take a certain amount of giving up on your part. You will find yourself deciding between going to a concert with friends or staying home alone and working on your project. Be aware of the continual joy your talent brings you and possible others. Your friends and family will admire you for your tenacity and diligence, not criticize you; but if they do, you know better. The deciding factor is the focus on the outcome and what you will gain from it. Do not lose site of the goal.
Consistency Is Key
5) It will be very important in the early stages of development of your project, to remain consistent. Consistency comes in the daily practice, be it small or grand, of giving your time and making gradual new additions toward your finish line.
This maneuver will keep you on track and inspired to continue regularly.
Keep the momentum going and it will keep you on track.
Do Not Isolate Yourself In Exchange For Your Dream
6) Giving up your dream does not mean closing yourself off from the world around you. With your newfound desire, you will become happier and more exposed and grateful for everything; especially, if you do the daily practice of acknowledging your progress. You need others and others need you too. When you are social, it is a good time to spread your brilliance and energy into the atmosphere. It is in those subtle positions of vulnerability that we share the good that is inside us. The recipients will pick it up in acceptance and spread it, as well. This is how we change the world bit by bit.
Connecting to Your Spiritual Side Will Bring Clarity
7) Changes are being made and there is a noticeable difference in your attitude and focus. Leaving out a special time to reflect and be grateful would be contrary to what you have accomplished, so far. So, it is imperative that your spiritual side enters into the equation. This may mean different things to different people. However, the basic message is universal. If you believe in God and all good comes from Him, then it will probably be easier to make the connection of gratitude and reflection. On the other hand, if you do not believe in God, simply being grateful and reflecting is still important and vital to the completion of your journey. So, with that said, taking time out for this contemplation, whether it is 5 minutes or 25 minutes once or twice a day, is essential. You can call it Zen, meditation or reflection, contemplation, whatever, it doesn’t matter. For me, it is my reflection, contemplation, meditation and connection to God. Since He is the source of my brilliance, I am happy with that time and the results are amazing.
Believe In Your Brilliance & It Will Happen For You
I wish you the very best in accomplishing your highly valuable dreams because your brilliant effort and talent will serve society no matter what small part you may think you are contributing. In terms of gratitude and change, it is huge and magnificent that you have helped change this world. The place that we reside in for our entire lives. Can you think of a better goal than making a better and more brilliant world?!
References:
Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved from
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brilliance
(2013). Roget’s 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition. The Philip Lief Group. Retrieved from http://www.thesaurus.com/browse/brilliance
