Michele Novotni, PhD

My husband and I have been in a year long process of renovating our home. The experience was a disaster in many ways — at least partly due to contractor difficulties — but that’s another story. But this whole process has given me the opportunity to grow in understanding for people who have difficulty seeing potential and possibilities.

I’ll confess. I was decoration phobic. Decorating or anything associated with decorating has always been overwhelming for me due to DDD– Decorating Deficiency Disorder.

I have a great deal of difficulty “seeing” what a different color would do for a room, or “seeing” the possibilities for an old chair. When it comes to decorating I only knew if I liked something or didn’t when I actually had it physically in front of me.

As I worked with others who had the gift of “seeing” potential and possibilities when it came to decorating, I was amazed. How did they know that the furniture would good arranged in this way? How could they “see” the potential for an old chair? We were both looking at the same item and I was embarrassed by my lack of decorating sense.

However, I’ve gotten some guidance and support from others who have talent in this area, experience, practice and studying.  I’ve actually started looking at decorating magazines from Real Simple to Architectural Digest and watching decorating television shows like Design on a Dime and Designed to Sell. I have become much better at the decorating process. I can now pick up an item and often see possibilities. I have even painted three pictures for our home! Sometimes I even enjoy the decorating experience now. I never thought that would happen.

This experience gave me a better understanding of how I could “see” potential in people that they were unable to “see” for themselves. To me the strengths and gifts stand out and are visible just as color schemes and furniture placement are evident for the talented decorators.

Most of the folks I work with don’t “see” their strengths and gifts. They see their failures, struggles and difficulties. Overcoming DDD has given me a better understanding of the people I work with as I strive to help them “see” their potential too.

What has helped you “see” your potential and possibilities? Please share your thoughts. I look forward to getting a dialog started here.
Thanks!

I wish you well.

Michele