5 Things I Like About Myself
“Write down 50 cool things about yourself in 10 minutes.”
That was our assignment during Day 3 of the No BS Agency Retreat last week, and even though celebrating myself can sometimes feel uncomfortably braggy, my inner Amy Santiago always loves an assignment:
Putting these positive qualities on paper was supposed to make them tangible and remind us we could tackle all of the ideas and changes and projects we’d envisioned over the past two days. It was powerful.
Even more powerful (and even more uncomfortable) was sharing parts of the list with others. As my new mate Aidan said, where he’s from in Ireland you just don’t do it. All of us were so quick to praise one another, but the kind words about ourselves didn’t flow as freely. Turns out, it’s tough no matter where you’re from.
Honestly, I think you should set a timer and pick up a pen or your phone to write your own list right now, but if you need an example first, here are a few of the things I wrote down that like about myself:
1. I am a very musical person
I love listening and playing music on an emotional level, on an intellectual level, and on a physical level, and I have a really cool ability to learn different instruments, like the drums, or like the cello in this lesson I got from my sister-in-law Natalie the other day:
I’d never used a bow before, and with only one “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” I now have a new perspective on how technique and skill make stringed instruments sound so beautifully expressive, as well as a unique appreciation for Natalie’s talent.
Being musical has taken me a lot of places in life, and I’m proud of myself for that.
2. I have a weird Instagram that makes me laugh
Several years ago on a bright Summer morning I found myself in a pickle (figuratively, to be clear), and when I’m in a pickle I like to talk it through with friends.
In this case, the pickle was that I hated social media and wasn’t on it, but Kelly was doing amazing things on Instagram for the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, and I realized I could no longer follow it by going to Instagram via web browsers like I was 100 years old. I knew I needed my own account, but I didn’t know what I would do with it.
My friend Shannon, in her hilarious deadpan, had a brilliant idea: “Why don’t you just take pictures of the cheeseburgers you eat before noon, like the one you are eating right now.” I registered my account on the spot, and the rules for @amburgerjed took shape. 1) I have to be eating this cheeseburger in the morning naturally, not for the ‘gram. 2) The time has to be visible in the picture. 3) In the anti-spirit of Instagram, the picture has to be taken with as quickly as possible with very little care for the aesthetic because it’s time to eat.
Turns out I am one for pointlessly self-indulgent performance art, and I like that about myself.
3. I worked my way from Assistant Editor to Sr. Director of Marketing & Business Development, then left that stability to follow my heart
I’m proud of all parts of that journey. I’m proud of the work that I put in, the things I learned, the people I impacted, and the results we all achieved; I’m proud that I recognized that for me it was time for a new season in my life because I had a whole lot more to learn and do; and I’m very proud that I was able to take that scary leap of faith into the unknown.
4. I can synthesize ideas quickly & easily, especially into strategy
This is one of the superpowers I bring to the Kind & Funny team, and I don’t always appreciate it because it comes very naturally to me.
Our Soul Search is a deep-dive interview that kicks off our projects, and from there we produce a Game Plan document that outlines the strategy and direction for that project. I LOVE THIS PROCESS AND I’M REALLY GOOD AT IT! I think it’s a combination of however my brain works plus my experiences and mentorship from #3 above plus my experience as a music journalist plus my experience majoring in Law, Jurisprudence, and Social Thought, a major its inventor Professor Austin Sarat said only prepared you for two jobs (President or parent) plus the endless hours spent locked in debate with my friends plus probably a million other things.
Anyways, I’m celebrating this part of myself by channeling my new friend Sharon’s self-confidence mantra: “Just because it’s easy for me, does not mean it’s easy.”
5. I really like people and believe in their inherent self worth
This was the third thing I wrote down after “I’m a really good cook,” which is very important to me because I like tastes so much, and “I’m very nice.”
It’s a core belief that I’ve had since back in the day when my brother Tim and I would watch MTV after school and I’d feel bad for the people on Next who rated themselves a 6 out of 10, but then I’d feel great for the people on Made when coaches inspired them to become a figure skater or whatever.
I think you’re awesome, if nobody has told you recently, and I think it’s a great time for you to take 10 minutes and write your own list.
If you want to share it when you’re done I’m here to hear it, and I bet I’ll be able to Jeditor it and tell you a few other great things you missed.
Want to share your list with me? Need a strategy for your business or personal adventure synthesized? jed@kindandfunny.com