All of us have passions, skills, giftings–things we bring to the world. However, sometime it can seem like others’ gifts overshadow our own or that we are incapable of using ours in a practical way. Thankfully, that’s not the case! It can be hard to learn how to use what we’ve been given, but just like we needed to learn how to walk and talk, we need to learn how to use our unique talents.
In the environmental world we have a term, the niche, which describes the specific spot in the ecological web that an organism resides within. This is the spot on the web (think about the food chain) where the organism has “hit its stride”, so to speak–it it the specific environmental condition where the organism thrives. This includes the exterior environment, temperature, humidity, etc., as well as the food sources and the other organisms this specific one will be interacting with. This is a great way to think about our giftings.
There may be multiple niches for one person, but our niche is the place where we are able to best utilize what we’ve been given. It is the place where we can spread our wings and soar, when previously we had just been trying to take off.
While planning to exit college, I went through an activity where we planned out our lives using a two-circle Venn diagram, looking at places we see ourselves being helpful and things we are good at doing. I liked this, but I think a three circle Venn makes a little more sense–finding our niche within our passions (what we love and thrive within), our skills (what we are inherently or trained to be good at), and the needs we see in the world. Linked below is a printable version of the one I use that has helped me figure out a lot about myself.
To start, I would recommend filling out the passions side. Write down all the things you care about deeply. For example, my top 3 are animals (agriculture & wildlife), helping people, and the outdoors. I have 13 things in total in that box right now, though. Next, fill in your skills. What were you born good at? What have you learned how to do very well? It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been skilled at something for it to count. Write it down. Again, on my Venn diagram I wrote down service, writing, and hospitality as my top 3. Write down anything you consider yourself skilled at. Finally, the needs circle. It can be the hardest at first, but when you think about it, what tugs at your heartstrings? What things do you see in the world that you want to be fixed? Where do you see a need for more helpers or leaders? Fill in those things. My top 3 are human trafficking, abuse victim advocacy, and scientific literacy. I would wager a bet that once all three of those circles are filled in, no two people would have the same Venn diagram!
Now, look at the intersecting parts. Fill in where you see intersections between passions & skills, skills & needs, and needs & passions. Finally, that center is your niche! Fill in anything where all three intersect and you can see them working together. It’s totally OK if this isn’t a cohesive idea yet–the diagram is only a tool to set you on the path to figuring out what there is for you out there!
I hope it helps!