Discovering Your Giftedness
A Step-By-Step Guide
More examples of Satisfaction
Remember: The first place to look to find out what was satisfying about an activity is the box on the Giftedness Story Form labeled "Satisfaction."
“What was satisfying about that?”
“I liked the fact that I was in charge. People were listening to me and doing what i told them. I really enjoyed that" (The satisfaction is being in charge.)
“What was satisfying about that?”
“Wow, just going into terrain that we'd never been before. I mean, we saw so much new stuff. I could have spent weeks walking around that area discovering places to climb." (The satisfaction is exploring.)
“What was satisfying about that?”
“The camaraderie. The sense of teamwork. We were all in it together, everyone doing their part." (The satisfaction is participating with a group or team.)
“What was satisfying about that?”
“I loved coming out on top. You know, you work so hard to improve your game, and it all comes down to one race. And then you break the tape first. That made it all worth it.” (The satisfaction is excelling, being the best.)
“What was satisfying about that?”
“Seeing the finished product. You know, I had that vision to begin with, and then to see it all come together and end up with such a beautiful result. I was so proud!” (The satisfaction is about building something.)
“What was satisfying about that?”
“Seeing a problem and then coming up with all the steps needed to address it. And of course seeing a good result." (The satisfaction is about devising a plan and executing it.)
Remember: Another way to identify the satisfaction is to step back and look at the story as a whole to notice what it's about and what you were trying to accomplish.
Example: A storyteller tells about conducting the memorial service for a friend who had died suddenly. When asked what was satisfying about that activity, he replies, "That I managed to get through it without breaking down." The satisfaction is perhaps meeting a need, but also overcoming the emotions of a difficult situation.
Example: A storyteller describes how she spent months negotiating the lease for a fitness club that wanted to move into her area. When asked what was satisfying about that activity, she replies, "Well, aside from winning them a great lease, I got them to give me a lifetime membership for myself and my family." The satisfaction might be meeting a challenge, as well as exploiting potential.
Example: A storyteller describes a trip to visit her cousins and making them laugh. When asked what was satisfying about that activity, she replies, "I just loved being with them. We had such a great time together." The satisfaction might be participating with a group, but also gaining a response.
Example: A storyteller explains how she learned anatomy and surgery at medical school, and now uses her expertise as an orthopedic surgeon. When asked what was satisfying about that activity, she replies, "I was fascinated by how the body works. I mean, I spent whole nights in the lab just observing all the tendons and ligaments and muscles and bones, figuring out how they fit together. It was like an obsession. But i loved that stuff! I still do. It's what allows me to do my work today." The satisfaction might be understanding something at a very in-depth level, and perhaps meeting needs, or fixing what's broken.
Example: A storyteller tells about stepping into a new role after someone else quit, and turning around a languishing department as a result. When asked what was satisfying about that activity, he replies, "Well, I loved being the man of the hour. I mean, it pretty much depended on me. Lloyd had left us in the lurch, so i had to come through. And I did!" The satisfaction appears to be that he was vital to his department's success, but also that he made a difference in how the department was run.