3 Expert Tips to Discovering Your Superpower (and Yes, You Have One)
Between logging long hours at the office and honing your side hustle, there’s no doubt you’re a #GirlBoss. But what’s your real superpower? Saya Hillman, founder of Mac & Cheese Productions in Chicago, has been helping people find their superpowers since 2004. With her community events, she shows that all it takes is a little courage and creativity to tap into your very own.
Saya’s journey started after she was fired from her full-time job at a nonprofit. She admits it was difficult at first, but eventually saw the silver lining: “Looking back, I truly believe 100 percent that it was the best thing to ever happen to me. I knew I didn’t want a boss again, so I sat down and made a list of all the things I wish I could do and get paid for – play board games, sit on my sofa and meet 20 new people. More than 10 years later, I’ve found a way to make a living doing all those things.” Shortly after Saya got fired from her job at a nonprofit, she started Mac & Cheese Productions and began hosting her own events, such as workshops, idea potlucks and her signature Fear Experiments, which push people to step out of their comfort zone, learn a new skill and perform it in front of hundreds of people.
So how did she do it all? By living a life of yes. “Living a life of yes is one where the majority of the time, you’re doing exactly what you want to be doing,” Saya explains. “You feel fulfilled, you feel challenged and you feel like you’re part of a community. It’s a life where you realize and utilize your superpowers,” explains Saya. And while she says that living a life of yes is not without its challenges, after you take the jump, everything will fall into place once you are making the most out of Y-O-U.
If you can’t make it to one of her workshops, check out these great tips from Saya about how to find your own superpower. She recommends taking the following three steps first:
1. Make a list. We are big fans of lists but rarely write about the things we like about ourselves or are good at. Saya recommends that you “Sit down and write all of the things you’re good at. Your superpower could be something you’re naturally good at or even things you don’t think of as skills but other people admire, such as making spreadsheets. It’s really easy as adults to lose sight of how awesome of a person you are.”
2. Ask around. Saya says to “Reach out to five people from different parts of your network, such as your coworkers, family and friends, and find out what they think your superpowers are.” You will find out a lot about yourself by how those closest to you perceive your qualities.
3. Own your superpower. Whether it’s leading a presentation or auditioning for that improv group you’ve been daydreaming about joining, there’s no time like now. “Give yourself the freedom to really explore your superpower,” Saya advises. “As adults, we’re not often given those opportunities handed to us on a platter, so it’s up to you to find them.” Above all, it’s important to keep an open mind and a positive attitude.
How will you find your superpowers? Are you ready to live a life of YES? Let us know in the comments below!