9 Exercises to Enhance Your Self-Expertise

Personal Self-Expertise is an invaluable tool that transforms the way you communicate in your business and personal lives. It functions as a front porch for two reasons: 1) It equips you with the confidence of knowing exactly who you are; and 2) It magnetizes others to you because they admire and respect those who know exactly who they are.

But it takes time and study to get to this point. In this article we are going to explore 12 exercises that will help you enhance your self-expertise.

101 Goals
Make a list of 101 Goals for the next year. Any kind of goals can apply: business, personal, financial, athletic or romantic. Make some big and some small. And be sure to write them down on one sheet of paper so you can keep it with you. Take as much time as you need, too. This is not an easy exercise and it may take a few weeks.

Now, not only is this an effective goal setting technique, but when you've completed your list, ask yourself this: what patterns do I see among my goals? Are they all related to business? Are they all related to material things? Are they concrete goals or abstract goals? It'll blow your mind! And this exercise will provide tremendous insight into what you value and therefore contribute to your self-expertise.

101 Things That Make Me Happy
Lists allow us to easily put information which belongs together in one place. They don't prioritize, segment, or bias any one item; but rather allow us to simply get it all down on paper ? and sometimes that's the most important part of learning. In this exercise, you will start to see commonalities of certain things that make you happy. Yet again, further insight into the person you really are.

25 Of Your Greatest Accomplishments
Not only will this exercise put you in a great mood, but it will demonstrate your talents and passions. For example, if all of your accomplishments are related to helping others, that says something about your character. If all of your accomplishments are financial, it says another. List and learn!

Philosophies/Theories
Most people have certain philosophies and theories about life, business and relationships; but few people write them down. So take some time one Saturday or Sunday, go to the park, and organize your thoughts. Think of yourself as a famous philosopher who is writing his manifesto about life. Now, you don't actually have to write the whole thing out, but list several key areas of life along with which rules, theories or philosophies you adhere to in order to become successful. You never know, you may be the next great thinker! And you'll also be surprised at how easy it is to organize your ideas once you do so visually.

Favorite Quotations
Write down as many of your favorite quotations, movie lines, song lyrics and words of wisdom you've accumulated over the years. Then look back and see what they have in common. Many of your ideas will form patters and groups. And this will open a window into your mind, heart and soul that you never would have seen otherwise. Once again, this exercise will amaze you when you discover how much wisdom you actually possess. That's the great thing about self-expertise ? once you bring it to the surface, it starts to make a LOT of sense.

The Roof Is On Fire
Ask yourself this question: if your house was on fire and you were only allowed to go back and grab one thing, what would you choose?

Let's say your answer was pictures. Good. Now, dig deeper and think about what that means: are you family oriented? Do you place great value on memories? Are you a materialistic person?

Dinner For Three
Next, ask yourself this question: If you could have dinner with any three people ? dead or alive ? whom would you choose?

Me? I would choose 1) Robin Williams, the most entertaining man alive; 2) Adam Duritz, my favorite singer and musical inspiration; and 3) Samantha Walters, one of my close friends and the warmest person I've ever known. These answers show that my self-expertise has components of humor, music and friendship. What about yours?

Everything You Want To Be
I once heard Larry Winget, world famous author and speaker tell an audience, "Go home and make a list of everything you want to become."

Wow.

It was an incredible exercise that motivated, inspired and moved everyone to learn more about who they were. I suggest you make the same list.

Personal Mission Statement
In Steven Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, he takes you through an exercise called "Writing Your Personal Mission Statement." Everyone should do this. It's quite possibly the greatest tool to realizing your self-expertise. Now, you can create your PMS in any way you like, but here are some suggestions for what areas to include:

  • Roles ? Who are you and what is your purpose? Are you a dad? A daughter? A businessman? A friend?
  • Beliefs ? What do you believe? What ideas are important to you? What values do you stand by?
  • Choices ? What things do you choose (and don't choose) to do? What people do you choose (and don't choose) to be around?
  • Advice ? What are the most important phrases, verses, quotations or pieces of advice you always tell yourself?

    The best part about your Personal Missions Statement is that you can carry it with you wherever you go. Try to read it to yourself every morning. After all, there's nothing better than starting your day by reading a statement of exactly who you are.

    © 2005 All Rights Reserved.

    Scott Ginsberg is a professional speaker, "The World's Foremost Expert on Nametags" and the author of HELLO my name is Scott and The Power of Approachability. He helps people MAXIMIZE their approachability and become UNFORGETTABLE communicators - one conversation at a time. For more information contact Front Porch Productions at http://www.hellomynameisscott.com.


  • If Something Shows Up 3 Times, Is That a Sign That Its Right for Me?

    Have you heard yourself or others say: "This has shown... Read More

    Who are You Listening To?

    Have you ever noticed that there is no shortage of... Read More

    Whose Life Is It Anyway?

    Whose life are you living? Are you living your dream... Read More

    10 Common Money And Success Myths ? Part 1

    For the longest time, people believed that the earth was... Read More

    10 Common Money And Success Myths ? Part 3

    Here we continue to discuss a few commonly held beliefs,... Read More

    10 Keys to Prosperity

    1. Everyday, in everyway, bless the universe in as much... Read More

    10 Powerful Tenets Of Personal & Professional Leadership Using The Law Of Attraction

    Leadership is an innate ability in all of us. Using... Read More

    10 Simple Ways to Honor Your Uniqueness

    One message we hear from the time we are children... Read More

    10 Ways to Survive and Celebrate Valentine?s Day When You Are Single

    Do you feel all alone and out of sorts on... Read More

    100 Ways to Keep Your Lover ? Happy ? At Home!

    Here are over 100 ideas to help you keep monogamy... Read More

    14 Relationship Principles to Live A Successful Relationship

    Each relationship combines two individual stories to coauthor a new... Read More

    3 Steps to Manifesting Your Ideal Life

    Over the past several weeks I've received dozens of email... Read More

    4 Helpful Ways To Beat Shyness

    Over half of all adults identify themselves as shy. Shyness... Read More

    4 Important Conversation Tips for Your Personal and Professional Lives

    If you are searching for a way to improve your... Read More

    4 Simple Steps To The Good Life

    If you want to create the good life -- a... Read More

    4 Steps To Having the Life You REALLY Want!

    Over time, the TIP's Letters that receive the most response... Read More

    5 Powerful Steps To Unleashing Your Creative Self

    There is a thread of certainty that runs through many... Read More

    5 Practical Shyness Tips That Work Everytime

    We all experience a little shyness at times with people... Read More

    5 Simple Ways To Overcome Shyness

    Shyness is nothing to be ashamed of and you can... Read More

    5 Tips To Increase Your Personal Power

    1. The most important one: Have at least one person... Read More

    6 Great Ways To Improve Your Social Skills

    If you are looking for a way to improve your... Read More

    7 Simple Tips For Cultivating Tons Of Confidence

    Confidence without competence is a dangerous combination. Make it easy... Read More

    7 Steps To Having More Energy

    1. Get enough sleep.Sleep deprivation is the most common cause... Read More

    7 Tips to Make a Fantastic Impression on People Who Count

    Making a fabulous impression on people opens doors for your... Read More

    7 Ways to Drive a Man Wild

    It's unbelievable the amount of bad advice there is out... Read More

    7 Ways To Make a Great First Impression

    When you have an important event to attend there are... Read More

    7 Ways To Make You Feel Good Instantly!

    How are you feeling now?The answer to this question determines... Read More

    8 Powerful Tips to a Magnificent Life

    Tip #1. Find your purpose. Finding one's purpose is the... Read More

    9 Exercises to Enhance Your Self-Expertise

    Personal Self-Expertise is an invaluable tool that transforms the way... Read More

    A Fun Way To Make A Living

    "You must be willing to do the things today others... Read More

    A Lesson in Letting Go

    Do you hear yourself saying? When I have enough money,... Read More

    A Life of Adventure?

    In a conversation recently, a friend remarked to me: "Every... Read More

    A Look In The Mirror

    That's all it takes to change the world. Take a... Read More