Shaquille O’Neal, Saint Augustine & You
Shaquille O’Neal
O’Neal’s logo
Shaquille Rashuan “Shaq” O’Neal is an NBA legend. At 7’1”, 341 pounds and a size 22 foot, you could say Shaq was born to dunk. But he doesn’t quite get to brag about it, right? After all he didn’t choose to be 7’1”.
Like Shaq, I think there is something you were born to do, something in your brain is hardwired to do (we will save the determinism vs. free will for another post). But unless you hit a massive growth spurt at the onset of puberty, it might take a bit of time to uncover and discover what you were born to do.
St. Augustine of Hippo
St. Augustine is viewed as one of the most important figures in Church History. He left a profound mark on the world through his theology and philosophy. Now what does Ol’ Auguie have to do with Shaq and you? He once prayed, “Noverim te, noverim me.” It means, let me know myself, to know God. St. Augustine somehow knew that in order to know God (or from a secular world view, to transcend into deeper meaning and purpose), one had to posses their own life. Broadly speaking, most people are in one of two camps. Either they have no idea who they are or why the tick, or they do have an understanding of who they are, but their strengths have not moved into something that is well developed and whole. And that is why I am all in on CliftonStrengths.
Ya Boi, St. Augustine
What is CliftonStrengths?
CliftonStrengths explains how you are uniquely powerful. These strengths are your “talent DNA” and help explain the ways you most naturally think, feel and behave. From the Gallup CliftonStrengths website:
Donald O. Clifton
It isn't until people know what makes them talented and unique that they know how to perform better in their job. Or how to find one that's a better fit. And to build better relationships and be a better teammate. And to feel like they're improving. Every. Single. Day.
That's what Don Clifton meant when he wrote:
"There is no more effective way to empower people than to see each person in terms of his or her strengths."
This has been an invaluable tool to help me understand and communicate who I am and why I tick. Understanding other’s Strengths has shaped how I view and interact with others.
Vision for CliftonStrengths
This is how your brain is wired.
42 days after conception, you are the size of a postage stamp in the womb. It is at this point brain development begins and for the next 120 days, that is essentially what is being built. By the end of 120 days, at an impressive rate of 9500 neuron constructions per second, you have a mass of 100 billion neurons. These neuron’s job is to connect with other neurons (FYI - you are hardwired to connect). When it finds another neuron to connect, a new pathway exists between those two points, which are called synapses. By the time you are 3 years old each neuron has made about 15,000 connections and the formative mapping of the neural networks are complete.
As you think about these connections it is helpful to think that some are stronger than others. Or rather, some can handle more traffic than others. For example you can transport more liquid out of a boba tea straw than a coffee straw. That is how your strengths are wired together. The stronger the “wiring” the stronger the theme/talent will be in your life.
You are UNIQUE
You are a mathematical impossibility. Check out these stats on how unique you are. The chances of someone having…
The same top 5 in any order is 1 in 278,000
The same top 5 in same order is 1 in 33.3 million
Your top 8 (signature talent themes) in the same order is 1 in 773 Billion
The same top 10 in the same order is 1 in 447 Trillion
Talent vs. Strength
Back to Shaq. He was born to dunk. But in order for his natural gifting to become more than just a talent, he needed to work on his craft. After an amazing rookie year, Shaq and the Magic lost to Hakeem and the Rockets. His talent was still raw and needed to be developed. The same goes for us. We are naturally gifted in certain things (ex. selling, communicating, thinking, writing, etc.) yet we need to work to hone our skills to make them actual strengths.
Basement vs. Balcony
You’ve heard it said, our greatest strength is also our greatest weakness. CliftonStrengths proves this rule to be true. Too much of our Strengths, or Strengths used inappropriately are in the basement (our shadow ) of our personality. It pushes people away and leaves us isolated.
On the flip side, when we are thriving, we move into the balcony. Those moments when we are fully alive our Strengths positivity impact the world around us.
More info on CliftonStrengths
Understanding the Four Domains of Strength
Now what?
You ready to get out of your mom’s basement? Well take the test. Spend the money. You are worth it. And so are the people around you. Clifton will give you a better understand of how you are wired and what makes you tick. Life is too short to waste what you got. If you work with me this test will give us a common vernacular as we process together.
Prayer of St. Augustine
Domine Iesu, noverim me, noverim te.
Nec aliquid cupiam nisi te.
Oderim me et amem te.
Omnia agam propter te.
Humiliem me, exaltem te.
Nihil cogitem nisi te.
Mortificem me et vivam in te.
Quaecumque enveniant accipiam a te.