The Gift in You: Discovering New Life Through Gifts Hidden in Your Mind (4 page)

PART TWO: Uncovering the Gift in You

CHAPTER SIX:
{AN OVERVIEW OF YOUR GIFT}

Understanding the structure of your gift will help you learn how to maximize it, how you can work to achieve lasting results in any environment and how you can better relate to others who have their own unique gifts.

Sometimes, one of the greatest challenges can be interacting with people who think differently than you do. This can create challenges in both understanding what the other person is trying to communicate and in communicating with the other person.

But when we understand the structure of our own gifts and recognize the gifting of others, we have an opportunity to maximize any situation.

For example, I'm often asked to help business leaders develop their gifting further. One of the most interesting moments I've had was in the middle of a problem-solving activity at a company. It became very obvious that the company had little understanding or grace for each others' differences. This particular company was also experiencing a time of great stress. I quickly understood the problems the company was facing in business could very well have been rooted in the problems the employees were having with one another.

On one side of their huge conference table sat a guy who was about six-foot-eight and looked like he could play professional football - he was just missing the football gear. He had an obvious dislike for his colleague who was sitting directly across the table from him who happened to be around my height. Since I'm five-foot-two, there was an obvious physical disadvantage between the two men.

As we were working through problem solving, the tension just kept increasing and increasing. Finally, the tallest of the pair climbed on the table and was about to literally pick up his counterpart by the collar - apparently, he'd had enough. As he was reaching down, I realized in order to avert a brawl, it might be wise to use that moment as an illustration of how important it is to understand how we are wired differently. Either that or we all needed to duck for cover.

So, before he moved any further, I asked that they take a look at both of their Gift Profiles to see what their dominant pillars were. Turns out, they were polar opposites. The one standing on the table was Kinesthetic and Visual/Spatial, communicating what he saw in his mind's eye through action. His counterpart, on the other hand, was Logical/Mathematical and Linguistic.

The smaller gentleman was always trying to speak persuasively, but he was just speaking the big gentleman across the table into an absolute frenzy. Once I had showed them the differences in the structure of their gifts and how to better understand each other, the
lightbulbs
switched on, and by the end of the training session they walked out as better friends.

The Structure of Your Gift

As we reviewed in Part One, Proverbs 9:1 talks about wisdom being built on Seven Pillars. Here's the exciting part - just as the sequence of processing a thought isn't exactly the same for each one of us, the area of the brain stimulated to handle each one of the seven steps is different.

We have been taught that each section of the brain is responsible for specific functions. But the truth is the brain is sophisticated beyond measure; there are revolutionary discoveries about the brain being made as modern technology advances, allowing us to take a more comprehensive look at the brain than ever before. As we have gained more knowledge through imaging technology of the inside of the brain, areas of function in the brain are becoming more clearly defined.

From this science, we can see that the brain has seven main areas, which are like columns or pillars. Sound familiar? A house of wisdom, according to Scripture, is built on Seven Pillars, and according to science, the structure of your gift is also built on Seven Pillars.

So, what exactly are these pillars of thinking in the brain? The brain is made up of about a hundred billion nerve cells - which look a lot like trees and what I like to call "thought trees" - in your brain, pretty incredible when you consider your brain is only about the size of your two fists.

These thought trees group together forming Seven Pillars that run roughly from the top to the bottom of the brain across the left and right sides of the brain, and each one is responsible for a specific type of behavioral function, a specific type of thought. And although we cannot precisely explain how the actions of the nerve cells lead to a type of thought, we can estimate this from all the brain research that has been done over the years.

Although there are seven basic types of thought proposed, we must realize that there are an infinite number of descriptions of each type of thought and that all seven types work together, not in isolation, to create the true you. So you can't describe yourself as Visual or Logical and so on: You are a mixture of all seven types of thought making up your special way of perceiving the world.
¹

The combination of how these pillars of thinking of the brain work together and process information is what makes you, well, the true you. Because all humans have more or less the same areas that perform the similar functions, your differences (how these interact and change as you use them) are what make you special.
²

All your thoughts/memories and emotions that make up you are stored in the non-conscious part of your mind and have a tremendous influence on your conscious thoughts. In fact our conscious mind is completely controlled by our non-conscious mind.
³

If we have a toxic thought activated in the
nonconscious
and
it's
brought into consciousness, then your conscious thinking becomes toxic. Scientists have found that the
nonconscious
mind performs around 400 billion actions per second and the conscious mind is only aware of 2000 bits of information. So there is an enormous amount of exceptionally high-speed things going on in our minds as we think through our gift processing information.
⁴

The depth of processing in these Seven Pillars of thinking is combined and used differently in every single person, which means that there are as many combinations as there are people, and consequently that traditional IQ and personality tests are limited and definitely do not define you or your future. You are an original!

You can take every single "type A" personality on the planet and you will discover that each one of them has a different combination of the Seven Pillars of thinking - each person is more than a label or a limited test. It is our differences that make us who we are. And it is in our differences that our gifts and resultant genius lie.

As neurons fire, for example, in the Linguistic area of your brain, they are activated to deal with sounds, perception, language and associative memories, because this is what the neurons in the temporal lobe area are specialized to do.

So, the neurons in the front of the brain - the frontal cortex that is the location of the Intrapersonal pillar - deal with decision- making, planning, deep-analyzing, shifting between thoughts, realizing goals and developing strategies. When we are introspective, we are using this type of thought.

Just behind the Intrapersonal pillar is the Interpersonal pillar, which is involved in social interaction, communications, turn-taking and tuning into the needs of others.

The Intrapersonal pillar is followed by the Linguistic pillar, which deals with spoken and written language.

After the Linguistic pillar is the Logical/Mathematical pillar, which deals with reasoning, logic, scientific thinking, numbers and problem solving.

Next is the Kinesthetic pillar that provides sensory and body awareness. 

Then comes the Musical pillar, which of course is music-based, but also includes the ability to read between the lines and distinguish "gut instincts."

Finally, there is the Visual/Spatial pillar at the back of the brain, which is where we imagine and form mental maps.

Your unique thinking pattern requires that you think by moving through the seven different pillars of the brain's thought in a particular order, with a signature amount of bandwidth given to that function (which is signified, as an estimate, by your scores in the Gift Profile).

Because each of us needs every pillar in order to function, each one of us has a sequence of thought that includes each pillar. We go through this each time we think and process information in a looping fashion.

As you operate in your gift, each thought loops through these Seven Pillars to develop the information into a picture of mean-
ing
, much like a photo is developed from a negative. The electrical information your five senses are gathering becomes a part of you - triggering memories, thoughts and actions.

The structure of how you develop information through this looping through the Seven Pillars creates your unique perception of the world, giving it your own special meaning, your own flavor. Each time you loop through these seven types of thought to create meaning, this immaterial mind activity leaves material traces. So, as you think and imagine, every thought alters the physical state of your brain synapses at a microscopic level. Each time you think using your gift, your brain changes.

When information loops through the Seven Pillars, the sequence of which is determined by your gift, a thought develops properly.

You can discover the structure of your gift. This will help you understand the nature of our own unique gift and how to develop it.

The mind is what the brain does, and we see the uniqueness of each mind through our gifts. This in itself is delightful and, intriguing because, as you work out your gift and find out who you are, you will be developing your soul and spirit. After all, the Bible says: "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers" (3 John 1: 2 NKJV).

CHAPTER SEVEN:
{THE SEVEN PILLARS OF YOUR GIFT}

Each of the types of thought has its own developmental sequence, emerging and blossoming at different stages over a lifetime. "Humanness" comes from the interaction of all of these.
⁵

As I mentioned earlier, there are an infinite number of sub-skills within each of these pillars of thinking, and I want you to be able to apply the Gift Profile and the structure of your gift to you - wherever you may be. This book is an overview, using very broad definitions. If you are interested in the scientific nuance, I've included a list of Recommended Reading in Appendix A. I encourage you to use this Recommended Reading list to dive into the science of the brain further.

When we start exploring the Seven Pillars of thought, an integral principle is that all seven of these pillars work together very, very intimately. They don't work separately, and they are all interconnected.

Another principle is that, as a human being, you have a sequence of these types of thought, which can be identified from highest to lowest. So when you complete the Gift Profile, you can
actuallysee
the structure of your gift and the order of the different types of thinking.

It is important to note that the Gift Profile is not like a standardized test. A "better" score is not a "high" score in each area. In fact, it is impossible for all areas of the Gift Profile to have a high score.

It's impossible, because God didn't design you to have all of them equally or for you to be the same as everyone else - we are not robots.

This is the gifting principle: We do not all have the same gift.

What Is the Function of a Pillar?

Each of the Seven Pillars of thinking is responsible for primary functions and particular characteristics. Accordingly, it is always interesting to learn about each function (see image on page 46).

Let's start at the front of the brain and move to the back, but remember, this is not necessarily the sequence of how your gift is structured. Your brain may process a thought in a different sequence. This is simply a deeper look at what each pillar of thought making up your gifting is to help you understand more clearly.

Intrapersonal Intelligence

At the front of the brain we have our Intrapersonal pillar, our intrapersonal level of thought. All the nerve cells in this area are basically tuned to handle information that deals with deep- thinking, decision-making, pulling things together, focusing, analyzing and free will.

Intrapersonal thinking is at the heart of you standing outside of yourself and looking in to analyze your own thinking. This is where the seat of free will comes into play as, while we analyze incoming and existing information, we are going to make decisions about what to think, say and do.

This pillar is fundamental to introspection, self-knowledge and understanding your own feelings, thoughts and intuitions. The ability to access these allows you to guide your behavior, understand your strengths and weaknesses, imagine concepts, plan activities and solve problems. This pillar also incorporates self-discipline.

If Intrapersonal intelligence is your dominant pillar (the first pillar in your thought sequence), then you receive information best through introspection and reflection. This like the doorway into your thinking processing - the way to kick start the process.

If Intrapersonal thinking is near the top of your thinking pattern, you may display a few or all of these qualities:

• You are introspective and aware of your range of emotions.
  

• You have the ability to control and work with your thoughts and emotions.
  

• You find ways of expressing your thoughts.
  

• You are motivated to identify and pursue goals.
  

• You work well independently.
  

• You are curious about the meaning of life.
  

• You self-manage ongoing personal learning and growth.
  

• You attempt to understand inner experiences.
  

• You empower and encourage others.
  

• You like solitude and are happy to work alone.
  

• You enjoy thinking strategies, journal writing, relaxing and self-assessment strategies.
  

• You understand your limitations.
  

• You have the ability to assess and evaluate situations.
  

Here is a short list of possible professions that people with high Intrapersonal thinking often gravitate to:

• Judge
  

• Counselor
  

• Advocate
  

• Educator
  

• Lawyer
  

• Therapist
  

• Novelist
  

• Psychiatrist
  

• Philosopher
  

• Elder
  

• Mathematician
  

• Visionary Leader
  

Interpersonal Thinking

Just behind the Intrapersonal thinking area is the Interpersonal thinking area. These nerve cells are all responsible for communicating - not simply talking but communicating.

Social interaction, listening, sharing, building relationships, giving and receiving love - these are all primary functions of this pillar. Interpersonal thinking gives us the ability to understand and work well with people.

This pillar incorporates sensitivity to and empathy with others, particularly for their moods, desires, motivations, feelings and experiences. It allows us the ability to respond appropriately to others as well. This pillar involves the ability to "read" other people's moods, to "put oneself in another person's shoes." It enables you to pick up inconsistencies when listening to smooth talkers so you know who to trust.

It also refers to good managerial and mediating skills, and the ability to motivate, lead, guide and counsel others.

If the Interpersonal pillar is near the top of your thinking pattern you may display a few or all of these qualities:

• You are a strong leader.
  

• You are good at networking.
  

• You can negotiate.
  

• You can teach.
  

• You enjoy bouncing ideas off other people.
  

• You love to talk.
  

• You like to organize.
  

• You happily mediate in disputes and are good at conflict resolution.
  

• You enjoy acting as a mentor to others.
  

• You have the ability to focus outward on other people.
  

• You sense other people's moods, temperaments, motivations and intentions.
  

• You have the ability to influence others.
  

• You excel at group work, team efforts and collaborative work.
  

• You bond with people.
  

• You form lasting social relationships.
  

Here is a short list of possible professions that people with high Interpersonal thinking gravitate to:

• Politician
  

• Religious Leader
  

• Salesperson
  

• Educator
  

• Counselor
  

• Social Worker
  

• Speech/Language Therapist
  

• Occupational Therapist
  

• Psychologist
  

• Public Relations Officer
  

• Human Resource Director
  

• Manager
  

Linguistic Thinking

Linguistic thinking is universal by nature and is present in all of us in varying degrees, as we all use it as a major means of communication. The Linguistic pillar deals with how effectively you are able to use language to express yourself. It also deals with your sensitivity to the meanings of words, sounds, rhythms and different uses of language.

If the Linguistic pillar is close to the top of your list in your gift sequence, words are important to you. This is expressed in different ways such as being articulate or having the ability to think in words and use words effectively when you speak and/or write. A dominant Linguistic pillar means that you primarily build memory through words - spoken, written, expressed or read.

You will have a natural leaning toward the domains that make up language, its structure and use. These include:

• Semantics: the meanings or connotations of words.
  

• Phonology: the sounds of words and their interactions with each other.
  

• Syntax: the rules governing the order in which words are used to create understandable sentences. One example is that a sentence must always have a verb.
  

• Pragmatics: how language can be used to communicate effectively.
  

If the Linguistic pillar is one of the first steps in the sequence of your gift, you may exhibit some of these characteristics:

• You need to express and explain yourself by writing and/or using lots of words.
  

• You like to argue, persuade, entertain and instruct.
  

• You like to write, play with words, read and tell stories.
  

• You have a good general knowledge.
  

• You as a lot of questions.
  

• You like to lead and/or participate in discussions.
  

• You like storyboards, word processors and voice recorders.
  

• You love reading and need lots of books around you.
  

• You spell well.
  

• You learn languages easily.
  

• You have a good memory for names, dates and places.
  

Here is a short, and by no means all-inclusive list of possible professions that people with high Linguistic thinking gravitate to:

• Publicist
  

• Editor
  

• Speechwriter
  

• Poet
  

• Novelist
  

• Politician
  

• Copywriter
  

• Speech/Language Therapist
  

• Scriptwriter
  

• Lawyer/Attorney/Advocate
  

• Journalist
  

• Educator
  

Logical/Mathematical Thinking

The next pillar of thought is Logical/Mathematical, which deals with scientific reasoning, logic and analysis. This type of thinking involves your capacity to understand the underlying principles of a connecting system, recognize logical and numerical patterns, handle long chains of reasoning in a precise manner and manipulate numbers, quantities and operations.

This pillar also includes the ability to mentally calculate and process logical problems and equations, much like the types of problems most often found on multiple-choice, standardized tests.

If this is one of your primary pillars, then you have a natural leaning toward the domain of numbers and logic, including:

• Numbers: the ability to manipulate and use numbers effectively.
  

• Pattern Recognition: the ability to see the category, organization and association in nature, numbers, words, stories and life.
  

• Identification: the attempt to find meaning in things.
  

If your Logical/Mathematical pillar is one of the strongest pillars in your sequence of thought, you build memory through reasoning. Some characteristics you show will include:

• You are intuitive and disciplined in your thinking.
  

• You like to calculate and quantify.
  

• You want to reason things out.
  

• You want to know what’s coming up next.