Discovering Your Giftedness
A Step-By-Step Guide
More examples of Subject Matter
Remember: Whenever you use an ability, you use it on, with, or through something.
• An artist might work with materials (e.g., paint, clay, metal) and a vision.
• A person installing a computer program works with a computer and software..
• A man driving a truck is working with a vehicle.
• A teacher reading a story to a class of children is working with a group.
• A quarterback calling a play is working with a team, a sport, and a strategy.
• A boy catching a fish is working with a pole, some bait, and the fish.
• An executive making an important business decision might work with information and numbers.
• A mother planning her family's vacation might work with schedules, logistics, arrangements, and details.
• A plumber fixing a leak might work with tools, materials, machinery, and expertise.
• A mentor might work with an individual, wisdom, and personal experience.
• A novelist might work with words and stories.
• A camp counselor might work with a group, individuals, humor and fun, physical activity, and values.
• An engineer trying to solve a problem might work with principles, systems, machines, mathematics, and materials.
• A man building a cabinet in his garage might work with materials and tools.
• A teenager composing a song on her guitar might work with an instrument, music, words, and feelings.
Remember: Sometimes the subject matter is obvious from your words (especially nouns). But sometimes it's not and you have to give it a description:
• “I showed my daughter how we could feed the ducks.” (animals, food)
• “I read that book three times until I practically had it memorized.” (knowledge, information, words)
• “I went straight to the principle and told him the policy was completely unacceptable and opposed to sound educational practice.” (policy, individual)
• “I spent all afternoon on-line looking for just the right location. The instant I came across Portofino, I knew that was where I would take my new bride.” (computer, information, arrangements)
• “I trained our managers in the Six Sigma approach.” (model, group, information)
• "I translated what he said, and then translated our youth leader's response back to him.” (language, individuals)
• "So I traded my Harmon Killebrew card for his Lou Brock card. He was none the wiser!” (collectibles, individual, strategy)
• "The first thing I did was to prove that the valve could not hold that much pressure.” (equipment, materials, numbers)
• "I was the drum major, so I was always at the head of the parade, so to speak.” (group, music)
• "And so they hired me as an intern in sports broadcasting.” (information, sports)
• "I loved canoeing, especially after the rains when the rivers and streams were at higher levels, with Class II and IV rapids.” (canoe, physical activity, water)
• "Our first year in the U.S. was quite challenging as we learned to communicate in English and make friends.” (language, individuals, culture)
• "I choreographed my first dance competition routine.” (movement)
• "That boy was really scared and had never flown before, so I gave up my seat so that he could sit next to his father.” (individuals)
• "I started a DVD department for our company. For two years I wired with outside vendors to produce amazing DVDs, until they brought all of the in-house.” (visual media, individuals, technology, concepts, scripts)