What Is Your Expertise?

If laughter is the best medicine then laughing at yourself is medicine for the mind.

What is your expertise? Everyone is good at something.  My dad was a minister and he officiated at one man's funeral who was the 'worst' guy in town. 

No one had anything good to say about him. At his funeral, my father shared what a good whistler he was and it made people realize that each of us can be an expert at something.  

What Is Your Expertise

Have you noticed how many people toot their horns on social media? On any given day, you can find dozens of experts on any subject; social marketing; media strategies, blah, blah, blah.  Often that makes it difficult to know whose advice you should take.

I thought about it and realized that I, too, am an expert and I bet if you think about it, you will realize how many things you are over-the-top awesome at doing.

I'm an expert in putting my foot in my mouth

I have done it so long and so well I could write a book on it.

I am quick-witted (and sometimes dim-witted) and can turn almost any comment into something funny, catching people off guard.

One thing I love to do is to answer nondescript questions people ask with something encouraging, funny, shocking, or all of these. 

“How are you today?” “Have a good day.”

And my personal favorite, “Stay safe.” I bet there are lots of ways you could answer those to make people smile or ‘think.’ I challenge you to try it.

Problem-Solving

I'm an expert in trying to solve everyone's problems - even people I don't know. Tell me about any situation, no matter how difficult, and I will work, research, and stay up nights, whatever it takes to help you solve it.

Keeping In Touch

I'm an expert in staying in contact even when people don't answer back. This is a tough one because sometimes people want to cut off a relationship with you and they just stop. They don't return your calls or answer emails. You have to determine if they are avoiding you or if they are hurting so deeply they want to be left alone.

Patience

I have become an expert in patience.  As a Type A personality, I had to have it done NOW.  I needed a decision NOW.  I wanted that fixed NOW.  I wanted an answer NOW.  I would work until it was finished, no matter how long it took or what time it was -- it had to be done right and done now.

When my husband was in a near-fatal car accident that left him with brain damage, my world stopped. My life was put on hold. I was responsible for everyone and everything in our lives. I was forced to spoon-feed and nurse him for six years. Nothing was happening quickly. When I spoke, I had to wait what seemed indefinitely for an answer. It was brutal.

I am still a Type A personality but I will bite my tongue, I will wait, I will be patient. It's not easy but it brings peace and harmony to most situations.  Patience is kindness.

My Other Expertise

I am an expert, well, not an expert but I certainly can tell you a lot about rescuing dogs.  We have rescued over 30 dogs and some cats as well. When they were rescued, not only did they receive love as they had never known, but they were put on a raw food diet, which made them healthy and happy.  QUICKLY. 

I am an expert at TACO PIZZA.  I have been making taco pizza since the late 1970s and I still make the best -- there is no competition. Bring it on..... if you think you can do better!

I am also an expert on NACHOS. When I see the nachos some restaurants offer, it makes me cringe. Those aren't nachos. They are stacks of chips with some cheese and salsa -- they are certainly not a meal!

What are your areas of expertise? When you take the time to think about what you are good at, it will bring a smile and a new appreciation of your talents. Big and small.