The pool of possibilities. How not knowing your niche makes you valuable.

I was recently asked to think about what my niche is. That whole question was the purpose of this blog when I started it: a place for me to write down my thoughts as I try to find out what it is I’m good at, what my strengths are. A way to discover me and my USP. Turns out, that’s a lot harder to do, when you are the type of person who likes to try new things at a rapid rate and gets bored of them just as quickly.

If you read back through my older posts you'll find that I try stuff, invest in it, then move on. You know, the type of person who’s a jack of all trades, master of none. It has a negative connotation, but ask yourself: “What is worse? To never try anything new for fear of not being brilliant or lack of time to become great at it? Or, to learn more about yourself with each new experience gained?”

Maybe my niche, my little special party trick, is that I can find enthusiasm for new things, delve into the best way to do it, have a go, then tick it off the list of life experiences and move on.

Perhaps it is not so bad to move on easily. Maybe perfectionism and expertise is overrated? Maybe when so many of us are hearing that something is not worth doing unless you are planning to be the best at it, it might be refreshing to think of ‘being ok’ and 'good enough' as the new #goals.

Just think how much more time and energy you would have if you could be satisfied with having had a decent go at something and then letting go when you feel you are no longer enjoying it or learning from it? Without feeling like you failed or feeling guilty for quitting. How much more fulfilling would your life be if you could occasionally try out new hobbies, visit new places, look at the world from a different perspective whilst growing through your experiences along the way?

You could argue that there is no value in people who aren't experts sharing their experiences. Except sometimes I want a friend or beginner's perspective or helping hand rather than an expert. If someone who hasn't dedicated their life to something, can try something and be ok at it, it shows you that you too could do it. Dip your toe in, try it on for size and maybe it will be something that is totally YOUR new thing, your ‘niche’. Maybe you will become the next expert at it. If not, then don’t be afraid to chalk it up on the board of 'things you tried' and look ahead for the new adventures coming you way.

If you know what your niche is already, I'd love to know how you figured it out and how you keep your enthusiasm for it going. If you’re in my boat, merrily rowing along and dipping your hand in the pool of possibilities every now and then, let me know if you feel you’re missing direction or excited for the waters which lay ahead.