You've Been Viewing Superpowers the Wrong Way
- Brainz Magazine
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Sheun David Onamusi is a respected and inspiring healthcare collaborator, entrepreneur, and mind coach. He is the founder of Efra Wellbeing, a wellbeing startup, and Still Dapper UK, a bespoke leather goods company. An award-winning author, mentor, and part-time communications advisor to emerging leaders.
The term "superpower" was a popular buzzword in 2020, frequently used in social media and corporate discussions. It felt as if it was being tossed around more than tomatoes at the La Tomatina, held annually in Buñol, Spain. I nearly pulled out what little hair I have left every time I joined a virtual meeting and the moderator asked, “What is your superpower?”
Interestingly, I can’t recall my exact responses when asked multiple times. However, over time, the fascination with discovering what it meant to have superpowers as a human intrigued me. Eventually, I uncovered the truths about superpowers.
I realized that your superpower is not only something you are good at; it's something you do exceptionally well and almost effortlessly, often to the point of being largely unaware of it.
Your superpower not only comes to you naturally, but you also exude it effortlessly most of the time. Like me during my moments of self-introspection, you might think, “Nothing stands out about me enough to be called a superpower.” But this isn’t true!
Just because you can't see your superpower doesn’t mean it is not there. Superpowers are called that because they evoke a sense of "that's quite unnatural" from a keen observer. What you excel at may not be immediately obvious at first glance.
How can you distinguish between a superpower and a skill you excel at?
As I mentioned, your superpower comes naturally to you, often without your awareness. What distinguishes your superpower from a skill you excel at is that it continuously evolves over time. For instance, someone with the superpower of empathy may have shown empath traits long before fully recognizing their gift. Even after discovering it, this ability continues to grow and develop.
It’s also fair to say that your superpower can make you feel restless. This is because it is a gift that you are naturally compelled to improve as you embark on your self-development journey due to the innate restlessness that comes with having one. I can almost guarantee that the main reason this article caught your attention is because you are one person who desires to understand yourself better and to enhance your superpower if you have already identified one before now. Like many superhumans out there, you are actively seeking information that could help you refine this unique gift above all others you might possess.
A quick and easy way to test this is to search through your physical or digital library, if you have one, and note the common themes in the types of titles you are drawn to. Chances are, you will find that your collection includes more books that align with improving your unique strengths.
For example, those who are naturally gifted in imagination, tend to have a library that favors fictional stories over autobiographies because it speaks to that superpower fuelled by the imaginative gift. And even when they have a library of non-fictional writings, they read each book utilising their imagination more than people who aren't as gifted in this area.
It is important to note that superpowers should not be confused with skills. I often hear people say things like, "My superpower is writing," or "My superpower is speaking," or "My superpower is dancing." However, these are simply skills, not true superpowers. Superpowers are the deeper currents that underlie these skills; they evoke emotional responses when expressed.
For example, consider the superpower of teleportation. While some might argue that teleportation isn't a genuine superpower, I find it quite fascinating, especially through the lens of stories like the British Television series “Doctor Who”. I argue that teleportation is indeed possible and can be seen as a superpower. If you can use the power of your mind to move yourself from one location to another through your imagination, then perhaps your true superpower is the ability to teleport matter using the strength of your imagination.
Superpowers go beyond mere skills and physical limitations
Stephen Hawking was one of the greatest scientists in history, whose superpower could not be limited by a motor neuron illness. Neither could his work be confined to mathematical skills, because the truth is that your superpower is boundless.
Where do superpowers come from?
This is a wonderful question! When I was developing the headline questions for this article, I reflected on my personal observations of people who exhibit qualities akin to superpowers. I believe that these “superpowers” are often shaped by deep personal pain. Whether it stems from a traumatic event or the frustration of feeling uncomfortable about something within you, this pain can lead to the emergence of a natural gift. I once heard someone say, “Frustration is when a purpose you carry cries out for expression.” This means that frustration arises because something inside you desperately wants to be expressed. Perhaps that recent frustration you experienced, is your superpower begging for expression.
It's important to understand that discovering your superpower requires more than just self-reflection. I spent a lot of time trying to answer the question, "What is my superpower?" solely through introspection. While self-reflection is a valuable tool in identifying what you excel at, it is not enough on its own. The complete answer comes when your internal reflections are supported by external feedback. That’s when you truly unlock the magic of your superpower.
Once you discover the first stage of your superpower, keeping in mind that it evolves over time, it’s important to nurture it. The best way to nurture your superpower is by leveraging it. Leveraging your superpower means using it in a way that brings you a reward or benefit.
For instance, imagine if Spider-Man only used his web-slinging ability in his living room. That would be a waste of his talent! Instead, Spider-Man leverages his gift to save lives and fight crime, which not only rewards him but also makes the world a better place. And yes, I know the Spider-Man story is a work of imagination!
However, the same principle applies to all of us. Once you identify what you are truly gifted at, you should leverage it. The more you utilize your superpower, the stronger it becomes.
In conclusion, your superpower is not merely a skill you excel in; it is an extraordinary aptitude that feels as though it flows naturally from within you. The journey to uncovering this unique superhuman ability often starts with deep self-reflection, as you explore your passions, gifts, and values. However, this discovery is strengthened through the validation and encouragement you receive from the world around you. Unlike a skill, a superpower feeds off external energy to keep growing. When people recognize and affirm your superpower, and you learn to harness it in a way that serves a greater purpose beyond just self-promotion, you unlock your true potential and become an unstoppable force in the world!
In my next article, I will share how to identify the blind spots of your superpower. Discovering these blind spots is just as important as knowing what your superpower is.
Don't forget to subscribe! Let's continue exploring the world of the human mind, lifestyle, and entrepreneurship together.
Till the next time I sit behind my desk to write to you: Let me ask the top question asked in 2020.
What's your superpower? Please share it in the comments. Let's reflect on it together!
Read more from Sheun David Onamusi
Sheun David Onamusi, Healthcare Collaborator, Entrepreneur, Mind Coach
Sheun David Onamusi is a thought leader in how the mind influences success in business and life. Graduating from his first degree with a lower second class, he struggled with imposter syndrome which led to a life changing experience in 2021. He has since dedicated his life to collaborating and helping others find purpose and relentlessly seek to change one life at a time. His mission: Shape life through words & actions.
