#MicroblogMondays – Things I am good at

Posted on by Parul Thakur
The classroom
The classroom

This Friday, we went to a school to spent some time with children and teach them about things like soft skills, hygiene, career, etiquettes and the importance of education.

These children come from a weak socio-economic background where they do not have the basic privileges that may otherwise seem normal to us and this was a way to give back to the society and keeping that in mind, our content was basic, more to motivate and inspire school children.

I was a part of the group where four of us addressed adolescents (classes 7-10) and to help them discover their interests, we had a 5-question handout that had things children could reflect upon and write answers to refer later. We passed the sheets around, I got – Things that I am good at doing and my task was to encourage children to open up with this question while sharing about myself and trust me this seemed the hardest to me.

I started with listening, writing (I was doubtful on this ) and then I just made up my answers and said cooking, baking cos I really did not know what to do say. While children kept on raising hands and yelling basketball, cricket, mathematics, solving puzzles, making cards, and what not – I was tongue-tied and I realized this is who I am. I think I am a jack of all things, yet master of none. First I wondered how can I say, I am good at sharing stories and lessons of life and then I pondered if I am really good at nothing in particular.

As adults should we not do a good job of appreciating ourselves? Why should I always look for others to point out what I am good at? How would you answer that question? Is it difficult for you too or is it just me? 

This picture is from the CR event I spoke about and I am standing on the right side of the hall.  

Tagging this post for both #MicroblogMondays and #MondayMusings. 

50 thoughts on “#MicroblogMondays – Things I am good at”

  2. 🙂 Parul – that’s a great exercise for each one of us to do from time to time. When we get used to it, we are more tuned to thinking along those lines. I loved your post! And yes, taking stock of what we’re good at is essential for “self-care”

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  3. How can you even say this? Not good? And about writing.. your writing is so subtle.. you have this power to make the weakest of points in the most strong arrangement that one could write..!!
    I sometimes wonder about this incapability of expressing things like you do..! But it’s always wonderful to read you..

    Cheers

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  7. I am good at dancing (classical) and enjoying myself in travelling 😀

    I can understand how difficult it is to answer this question. Because, when we want to say we are good at something, we are unsure how others would take it. I might say, I am good at writing, but how can we quantify? Obviously, I am not perfect in writing and so anybody. Since I am into classical dance from childhood and practiced and performed for a long time, it comes to my mind first, but nobody is perfect to say they are good at it right?

    It’s easy to answer what you love to do 🙂

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  8. Oh I don’t know how I would answer the question…You are right we often look at others to tell us what we are good at..And that’s where the problem lies…That’s why we end up doing things we are not really interested in…

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  10. I think it can be hard to “toot your own horn,” but writing, listening, and storytelling should definitely make your list! I think for sure that a adults w should have a good sense of our strengthd and take pride in the things we do well.

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  11. I am good at learning and life is my interest area. It is vast and requires me to be on my feet constantly learning (mindfulness and awareness) and applying it. I am not sure if this would have made sense in that classroom of children.

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  12. When it comes down to the crunch, we are usually good at what we love doing. In my case it is writing, singing, teaching and being a mom. Does that sound conceited? Gosh, I hope not! What I mean to say is that this realisation is an evolving one. I may discover that I am good at something else three months later. If it can boost you to keep doing it well then I think there lies your answer. Confidence is good because it propels you forward to keep trying your best. That’s always positive 🙂

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  13. I think it comes with confidence. Some things you just come to KNOW that you’re good at, I think 🙂 I haven’t quite figured out what I’m good at yet either though! I keep telling myself it will come with time and more experience (who am I kidding!)

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  14. I need to do this exercise myself. And I think it’s important too, to know your strengths, find happiness in what you love, feel good about yourself and give yourself a little boost! 🙂

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  16. Hmmmmm.
    Deep.
    I think I would have been stumped too.
    We really don’t appreciate ourselves enough as adults, do we?
    You’ve really got me thinking on this one, Parul!

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  17. You shouldn’t feel that way. I am sure you are very good at many things, but it is very hard (as an adult, once we have learned humility and turn our focus to things beyond our ‘personality’) to talk about ourselves! 🙂 I’m sure you’ll notice plenty of things in the next few weeks that you could have mentioned, then. 😉

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  18. That’s the toughest of exercises. I think we’re too hard on ourselves. Perhaps a loved one can answer this for us. But some introspection would be a good thing. We do need to know our strengths.

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  19. Parul! Loved reading this bit and needless to say– I think its high time we all thought about that one thing we are good at. I recently had my husband telling me about a book he caught a few pages of- and it spoke about how we should brag about ourselves and why? Because no one else would do it! No one will brag about you except you yourself.
    Similarly, what a great way to stay motivated– by reminding oneself of what one is good at! As I write this bit, I am tempted to pen down what I love too- and I share this one with you- Listening! And of course, baking and sketching.
    And thank you for this wonderful reminder, Parul– made me feel good about myself!

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  20. What a great thing you did Parul. I find sometimes with kids, its like a mirror comes up in front of my face… Who am I? What do I do?What am I good at? It can be a good, useful and interesting exercise i think… Well, at least we know ur an amazing writer:-) I loved reading this… wonderful flow with your words:-)

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  21. I think we don’t like to break out from being modest by saying that we are good at something. That’s why we need someone else to tell us what we are good at. Have you experienced politely refusing “Oh, no, I am not.” Even when deep down we take pride for being recognized and appreciated. I am guilty of that. 🙂
    So, I think I am good at parenting. I take pride in saying that I am a good mother. I am not sure why, but I think so. 🙂 (Not so modest, huh?! 😉 ) I am a very good listener. I was telling my husband the other day that I think I should do some counselling job. (Again modesty took a hike 🙂 ) Writing is something I would like to be good at and trying to be good at, but I am not sure, I can’t say with confidence tat I am good at writing. (Okay, I am looking for approval notes from others here. 🙂 ) And you are a fantastic writer, no need for doubt there, Parul. 🙂

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  22. Okiee Parul! I am done scratching my brains :).A tough question indeed.As of now I will settle with this ‘I am good at something that gives me happiness like humming old faves,writing,reading a book with a nice cup of coffee and yes,a non-stop chat with my kid.

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  24. Loved reading the post . Its easy to find out the things I am good at , but when I go deep in it , its really v difficult . I believe there are many more who are better than me .In fact we should find out our short comings and try to become good .

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  25. For one, I can think of is ‘Writing’. Must say that each post of yours is from the heart and full of varied emotions and thoughts depending on the topic you write about. Wonder how were you doubtful about writing? 😉

    But yeah on another note, this is a good exercise for each of us to introspect on and off :D.

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    1. Thank you so much Aseem. As some one said in the comments, the moment we say we are good at X thing, a doubt creeps in that yells – really? you think that? 😀 That happened to me as well 😛

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  27. Proud of you for doing this. Even if as a team. It does take time, effort and patience 🙂

    Self appreciation is important to grow. It is sad that most of us look for appreciation elsewhere and get dejected when none comes our way. If you know that you are good, it is more than enough. Not too sure if you can call that confidence, but yeah the word comes close.

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  29. Pingback: My top 5 strengths - happiness and food

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