Skillbox: Building the Bridge

It takes a tremendous amount of courage to face yourself and reflect on who you are. It’s much easier to accept who you are currently and conform to the way that life is. But from time to time you have these thoughts that float within the back of your mind of what if I could do more, what if I could be more. Within an instant, those thoughts flutter away as if they were the bristles of a dandelion. As time continues to go on, these thoughts return again, yet they are pushed away by you by doubt, fear, and a revolving range of excuses that your mind comes up with through a false sense of reality. There’s a reason that these questions return back to you. They are associated with the truth of your identity which is why there’s a part of you that feels right in the moments that these thoughts arise within you. There’s you, where you currently are and then there’s you up ahead. That image of you is a little hazy and the bridge in between is invisible. Is there a bridge there at all? How will you get there? Maybe that’s not you, perhaps that’s someone else up ahead. What if you could bring clarity to the envisioned image of yourself that stands up ahead-waiting-and build a bridge to get there? To build the bridge you will need to create a skillbox. A skillbox is a list of items created to visualize a framework of who you are and who you can become. Creating a skillbox is a simple task where you create three columns: Column 1: Things You’re Good At, Column 2: Things You’re Interested In, and Column 3: Things That Come Natural to You. 

For column 1, it is important for you to understand where you currently are and what you are good at. Seeing this written on paper will create a heightened sense of self-awareness and maybe a boost of confidence in yourself. Sit with these items quietly for a moment. Accept this as part of your identity. These are a part of you and can never be taken away from you. These could be skills that you’ve acquired, something you’ve studied or learned, a skill that you’ve mastered at your job. It’s embedded into who you are. Think deeply about this; it shouldn’t be one thing listed. This is an opportunity to boast and give yourself the much needed praise that you deserve. 

In column 2 you should begin to list the things that you are interested in, passionate about, or something that you would like to learn. Do be shy here. Are you interested in playing a new instrument, opening a coffee shop, becoming a pilot? Maybe you’re passionate about exploring more about the theory of relativity. Whatever it is, write it down. It can be anything! Just as you did in the first column, think deeply about this. No interest of yours is too big or too small. As you practice this exercise, be sure to avoid any negative thoughts that may challenge how these things will be possible for you. Focus and write down your interests. It is you and the page in front of you. 

There are some things that you are just good at. You didn’t necessarily build these skills. You aren’t particularly passionate about them, you’re just great at them. These should be listed in column 3. We all have special gifts, talents, or things that we are just naturally good at. You should understand and embrace these things about yourself. You may be an exceptional painter, good with cars, a singer, great with numbers, a gifted writer, a great listener, organizer, or something more. These skills should be listed. 

Creating a skillbox will provide you an opportunity to see what’s inside of you. The image of who you are and what you can become will start to become a bit more clearer up ahead. Study this list. Is there a pattern? Is there any overlap, perhaps a trend or theme that you notice? Try to understand what this list says about your identity. This list is for you alone. Be cautious about sharing this list with others, you should protect it. This page should be an open and vulnerable part of yourself aimed to assist in your growth and development. Without going into too much detail with others, you can ask those whom you truly trust to give insight into what they see you being good at. Again, use caution and protect this list. This is about you.

You need to see yourself. See who you are and what you are capable of becoming. A skillbox will bring clarity and will be the beginnings of a bridge being formed to get you to a new chapter of your life. Face who you are and where you currently stand. Trust who you can become and where you can stand in the future.