If I work on that every day, perhaps I might struggle up to become a five. On the other hand, as an eight in coming up with creative ideas, with a little attention, I might improve to become a ten! A ten in any area can make a significant difference in that one area. A five, on the other hand, is never going to be a contributor.

What a happy idea! What a load it removes from my conscience. My chances of ever being very organized are minimal at best, and I can simply accept that. It's nice to know that it is okay for me to dream. Every now and then I'll come up with a real winner, and that is exhilarating for me at its least and an advantage for many at its maximum.

Here's the best part - the way to honing in on what we do best, where we should remain to make our highest contribution, doesn't feel like work at all - it feels like fun! It really does.

We should each spend our energy
concentrating on what we do well,
rather than on what we do not do well.

I know I'm not contributing when I'm shuffling paperwork, trying to decide what I have to do next. I need to be doing something I love to do if I'm to be a whit of good with my family, in my business, for my community, and for myself. When I float off into the wonderful world of possibilities, now and then I come up with an idea that makes a difference in the world.

It is essential to add, however, that without a great support system, full of people who grab any worthwhile concept I come up with, tweak and polish it, organize it, and then see that it gets done, my idea would just float off into never-never land. I realize that I am part of a complete system that takes all skills and talents to make headway.

How very exciting it has been for me to realize that I can make some contribution by simply thinking and sharing some ideas with others who run with them and make something happen.

I'm blessed in all areas of my life with people who make my dreams and visions come true. I want each of those people to know that I know that I would not be where I am today if any of you were missing in my life.

Isn't it freeing to know that all we really need to do in life is do what we do best and surround ourselves with others who do what they do best?

Jean Loxley-Barnard has been a writer all her life and studied both sociology and psychology at George Washington University where she earned a B.A. Her company, The Shopper, Inc., encompasses all the Loxley-Barnard family publications - The Shopper Magazines and Doctor to Doctor Magazine. She has been in the advertising, consulting and publishing business for 39 years.