You Have this Superpower and Don’t Even Know it…I Sure Didn’t

Every one of us has an amazing superpower. But we must give something up to use it.

You have a superpower…to save lives, bring hope, and change the world. (Tweet That) | Share this Graphic on Pinterest | Share on Facebook

Listen to the audio version of this post:

What is a superpower?

Superpower defined: A power that lies within someone, usually unidentified, that can be used to save lives, bring hope to others and change the world.

I have a superpower but I didn’t know it until Jeff Goins pointed it out to me.

I spoke with Jeff recently for his upcoming book. In a 40-minute interview I shared my story of finding my calling in life. Afterwards, he sent me the email below.

I’ll fill in some of the blanks after I share it.

You know, in reviewing the first email you sent me and then relistening to the audio from our interview yesterday, something struck me.

Your original email talked a lot about how you started making a living, and a good living, at doing what you love. Money, it seemed, was an important part of that equation. Now, don’t get me wrong; I think a lot of good can be done with money. But it didn’t seem like that great of a story. Still, I was curious to talk to you more.

Then when you told me you were fired four different times, and each time you failed your way a little bit more to your calling, I thought, “Now THAT’S the story.”

Anyway, just one dude’s opinion, but if you aren’t focusing on that when you tell your story, you might try it. There’s a lot of power to it, especially given the amount of failure and rejection you faced, and how God was using all that stuff to get you to where you are now.

Yeah, it’s cool that you make a good living, really cool. And it’s even cooler that you have a heart to be generous. But what will give people hope, and I again pardon my being so bold in sharing this, is that there is humanity to the story. That you failed and still somehow succeeded.

That’s the kind of hope people need. It’s the kind that I need.

In my first email to Jeff, I focused solely on the money. I reread it just now and it’s full of numbers. Impressive numbers. Full of my successes, with only lip service given to a minor failure in my journey.

Why did I focus on these parts of the story?

Why did I not share the real story, the one that Jeff actually loved to hear?

One word:

Insecurity.

I was trying to impress Jeff. That was it.

But as we talked, the real story came to light.

I was fired by my dad which forced me to start my first marketing consulting firm. But it starts before that.

I learned marketing because my dad hired me to help him teach golf. I would spend hours learning how to write ads and got really good at online marketing and web design (for 2002 that is). So when he fired me, I had a ready-made side business already in place.

Which led to my friend hiring me to help his new business selling insurance leads. It was only supposed to be a consulting gig, but after the election season ended in 2004, I had no clients. So his offer of employment was perfectly timed.

It was that business that one day led me to a photo shoot in a church…the church in which I would one day sit crying and giving my life to my Savior.

It was that same business that fired me. But my friend introduced me to another business owner, for whom I would soon work. I would leave that company (for once, without being fired) to go back to my previous company which fired me. I was fired again nine months later. Thankfully, I had started a side business consulting businesses in online marketing again, which I have built into a very profitable and enjoyable business.

I also started this blog and am growing my platform…all because, it would seem, I got fired. But it starts long before that.

You see, that business owner that hired me was friends with Robert D. Smith, the manager for Andy Andrews. I soon found myself reading Andy’s books and, years later his podcast. While in Dallas airport two years ago I would hear an episode with a man named Michael Hyatt, who had just released his book Platform. It was that book which inspired me to start this blog. It is this blog which inspires readers today.

Our hidden superpower

Jeff is right. That is a good story…and it’s only part of it.

I am like most people. We don’t feel there is power in our real stories.

So we polish it, share the exciting parts, and wrap it up in a pretty bow. And then wonder why it’s dull and doesn’t resonate with anyone. We stripped our story of the source of it’s power.

You may not be a cancer survivor turned triathlete or have lost a limb only to become an Olympian or overcome being a single mother on welfare to one day become a Forture 500 CEO.

But you still have a story.

You do. Your story.

One that people will relate to.

One that will inspire someone.

One that will change the world.

One that…

You Must Share!

See…you have a superpower. The power to save lives, bring hope, and change the world. Your story is your superpower, but you must give up the insecurity that comes with sharing it.

So repeat after me:

I have a unique and inspiring story.

My story brings hope to others.

I will share my story.

Openly. Honestly. For the benefit of others.

Lives will be changed.

I have the power to change the world.

Say that out loud.

And if you are willing, share it with me. Just click here to leave me a message. Record yourself saying those words. Feel free to add your own as well. Make sure to include your name and web site URL if you have one in the recording. If you wish to remain anonymous, that is OK, too.

And while you’re at it, declare your superpowers in the comments below. Write out those words. Don’t copy and paste them. Type them out. Mean them. Add your own words.

I’m not 100% sure what I am going to do with them, but I think it will be something big.

Those words are true. You are the only one with your story and that story has powers you’ve never imagined.