As lame as he might seem compared to the rest of the Justice League (even Batman, who doesn’t have any powers), Aquaman still has some pretty kick-ass abilities – he can talk to fish, swim (and presumably “swim” in space) with amazing speed and agility, and he’s really strong. And since 70% of the world is covered in water, as the King of Atlantis (oh yeah, Aquaman is a king too) he rules most of the planet. So really, all the air-breathers should be giving him a lot more respect.
But Aquaman and his powers aren’t real.
Sure, there are some super powers that seem to be developing in people these days and some that we will soon get from science, but neither of these options pertain to the super powers that everyday people like you and me have. Don’t think you have any super powers? Well, what about:
Technology Comprehension – Sure, some people might call you a geek, but they’re not tech-savvy enough to figure out what’s really going on. When faced with a new program or piece of hardware, can you quickly acclimate yourself to how it’s used, the complete suite of functions, and how to best utilize it?
Why it’s a super power: Think about all those statistics you hear about left-handed people killing themselves with products made for righties. And I’m sure a small fraction of that number is just can openers.
Confidence and Fearlessness: The number one fear of people in the US is public speaking. Do you love getting on stage and wowing the crowds? Or to take it a step further, do you thrive on adrenaline by going skydiving, doing extreme sports or taking on challenges that most people would shrink away from?
Why it’s a super power: Daredevil is called “the man without fear.” And considering his only other power is that he’s a blind man who can see, I think that comic books would agree with me on this one.
Charm and Networking Skills: I’m not referring to small-talk here; this is James Bond-level, charm-the-pants-off-anyone skill right here. You can make a connection with almost anyone you meet, adding them to an impressive list of social contacts who would bend over backwards to help you.
Why it’s a super power: Not everyone is charismatic or charming enough to be liked by everyone. It’s hard enough to make a few friends – the sheer force of will and confidence that one must have to get along well (and connect) with so many people is superhuman.
Trend Prediction: In the first chapter of his insanely popular book, The Tipping Point, super-author Malcom Gladwell discusses people who have the ability to create and develop widespread trends. If you’re on the cusp of a new fad with music, fashion, technology or slang at an amazing frequency, you can practically see the future.
Why it’s a super power: Predicting social trends is a very difficult thing to do – companies spend untold millions on attempting to do just that. Having your finger on the pulse of modern culture is a daunting task that few can execute well.
Empathy: You lock on to people’s emotions, and connect with them easily. Instead of being oblivious to the feelings of others, you commiserate with them and help forge better relationships. Kind of the opposite of some of the Twilight vampires.
Why it’s a super power: Wikipedia says so.
Of course, these are not the only super powers that are possible for someone to have. And each of these skills can be utilized in many different ways, both personally and professionally. What you need to remember is that your super power should complement your career choice, so you are using your abilities to the fullest.
If Aquaman can do it, so can you.
