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The Person Called You: Why You're Here, Why You Matter & What You Should Do With Your Life
"I can't stand my job anymore."
"I feel like I have no direction."
"What should I do with my life?" Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone. Barna Group finds that 75% of Americans are seeking ways to live more meaningful lives. And among practicing Christians, only 40% have a clear sense of their calling. But there is a way to find and follow your purpose. For over twenty years, Bill Hendricks has been helping people of all ages and stages find meaning and direction for their work and for their lives. The key is harnessing the power of human giftedness . Every person has their own unique giftedness—including you! And the best way to discover it is not through a test or gift assessment exercise, but from your own life story. Through this book, find out what you were born to do and the profound difference that insight makes for every area—your work, your relationships, even your spirituality. The Person Called You is a celebration, exploration, and explanation of human giftedness. Bill describes what it is (and isn’t), where it comes from, how you can discover your own giftedness, and, most importantly, its potential to transform your life.
"I feel like I have no direction."
"What should I do with my life?" Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone. Barna Group finds that 75% of Americans are seeking ways to live more meaningful lives. And among practicing Christians, only 40% have a clear sense of their calling. But there is a way to find and follow your purpose. For over twenty years, Bill Hendricks has been helping people of all ages and stages find meaning and direction for their work and for their lives. The key is harnessing the power of human giftedness . Every person has their own unique giftedness—including you! And the best way to discover it is not through a test or gift assessment exercise, but from your own life story. Through this book, find out what you were born to do and the profound difference that insight makes for every area—your work, your relationships, even your spirituality. The Person Called You is a celebration, exploration, and explanation of human giftedness. Bill describes what it is (and isn’t), where it comes from, how you can discover your own giftedness, and, most importantly, its potential to transform your life.
240 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2014
44 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 4, 2015
Hendricks view of personhood and giftedness, and his thorough explanation of them, are quite helpful for people looking to become who God made them to be and use the gifts God gave them. It is a more holistic approach than personality test or strengths finder. Rather it is an explanation of the hardwired inclinations and passions God has given us and a nudge toward putting them to good use. It is an easy read, not heavy or cumbersome. I recommend it.
November 4, 2025
I’ve nearly finished getting through a stack of books a friend gave me to peruse, and this was one of the last ones I got to. I found this book to be a fascinating read, and while I didn’t get as much out of it as I could have (I didn’t do the one key exercise in the book, mostly because of time constraints), I’ve come away with a lot to think about in relation to how the Lord made us all differently, and how, if we can figure out our own and others’ strengths, we can be even more effective and useful to others (and the Lord!) at this thing called life.
I especially appreciated the way Mr. Hendricks kept reminding us that even though this can feel like a very self-centered, self-serving discussion, the only reason we can even have this discussion is because the Lord made each one of us unique and desires to show His goodness through us, using our strengths and abilities to His glory. I loved that.
If you are looking for a book to help you understand yourself, your family, friends, and coworkers better, I’d highly recommend you read through this book (and it would be a great idea to do the exercises, too; I wish I’d had the time and brain space to do them while I was reading it!).
I especially appreciated the way Mr. Hendricks kept reminding us that even though this can feel like a very self-centered, self-serving discussion, the only reason we can even have this discussion is because the Lord made each one of us unique and desires to show His goodness through us, using our strengths and abilities to His glory. I loved that.
If you are looking for a book to help you understand yourself, your family, friends, and coworkers better, I’d highly recommend you read through this book (and it would be a great idea to do the exercises, too; I wish I’d had the time and brain space to do them while I was reading it!).
October 25, 2019
Great core concerning giftedness/strengths wrapped in pages and pages of fluff and sunshine. The basic theses are sound and helpful, but it was hard for me to get through some of the 'ra-ra, you can do it' and the 'when Warren Buffet was a a little boy...' Ugh. The sheer number of exclamation points is astounding.
June 13, 2024
The Person Called You was gifted to me as a Christmas present from my dad, and I didn't pick it up until a few years later. It accomplishes what it sets out to do: guide you to careers, or even just hobbies, that are intrinsically enjoyable and give you a feeling of satisfaction. The main thing that I found helpful from this book is its partner exercise. I understand that this is available online as well, but it felt more rewarding reading it from a book. The exercise takes you far outside of your own mind to assess what satisfies you, and in doing so, gives you another perspective on your past experiences. I also found the exercise helpful in continuity, as my mind began to recognize my patterns more easily in present experiences.
While the author himself is religious, and applies a religious context to life's meaning and the reason for your satisfactory experiences, he is careful as not to force it upon the reader; recognizing and respecting other lenses through which to view meaning and talent. I found The Person Called You to be informative and succinct -two great qualities in a self-help book.
While the author himself is religious, and applies a religious context to life's meaning and the reason for your satisfactory experiences, he is careful as not to force it upon the reader; recognizing and respecting other lenses through which to view meaning and talent. I found The Person Called You to be informative and succinct -two great qualities in a self-help book.
September 17, 2019
Bible based self improvement book by Texas theologian.
March 31, 2024
Simple Life Changing Truth
This one is for everyone especially those just starting careers. We have made the topic of gifts and callings too difficult. Bill unpacks it nicely
This one is for everyone especially those just starting careers. We have made the topic of gifts and callings too difficult. Bill unpacks it nicely
August 5, 2014
The critical question for us moderns is, “How shall we be governed?” In America we are all politics all the time, making this a ubiquitous question. However, this wasn’t always the most important question in life. In fact, for most of human history it was one of the lest important questions in life. Granted, most people in the past lived under kings or tyrants so the answer was pretty obvious—or it would have been if the question ever popped into anyone’s head—but more was going on then than the fact that no one ever thought to ask such an obvious question. In times past, most people were interested in asking and answering a more profound question: “How shall we live?” (see Ezekiel 33:10). And this is a question too few of us living today bother to ask.
Christian philosopher Dallas Willard asked it and concluded that “Meaning is not a luxury for us. It is a kind of spiritual oxygen . . . that enables our souls to live.” And in the mind of Russian novelist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn: “Everybody has a purpose and the main purpose of each of us is how to understand it. Given the everyday preoccupations of ordinary life, people don’t spend enough time thinking about that.”
Solzhenitsyn couldn’t have been more spot on. Life is busy. And who has time or the mental wherewithal to plumb the depths of such a deep question? Well, thankfully one man does and has—Bill Hendricks. And he’s written a book to help us find an answer to the question that “enables our souls to live.”
To read the rest of this review please visit: http://derrickjeter.com/2014/08/05/pe...
Christian philosopher Dallas Willard asked it and concluded that “Meaning is not a luxury for us. It is a kind of spiritual oxygen . . . that enables our souls to live.” And in the mind of Russian novelist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn: “Everybody has a purpose and the main purpose of each of us is how to understand it. Given the everyday preoccupations of ordinary life, people don’t spend enough time thinking about that.”
Solzhenitsyn couldn’t have been more spot on. Life is busy. And who has time or the mental wherewithal to plumb the depths of such a deep question? Well, thankfully one man does and has—Bill Hendricks. And he’s written a book to help us find an answer to the question that “enables our souls to live.”
To read the rest of this review please visit: http://derrickjeter.com/2014/08/05/pe...
March 16, 2016
There are a lot of personality assessment and strengths finder books out there. Why do we need another? Bill Hendricks has a unique take on strengths self-assessment, what he refers to as giftedness. Yes, it's your strengths, yes, it is what motivates you. At its core, he defines "giftedness" as your foundational strengths and natural motivations, essentially what you were born to do, enjoy doing, and do well. How do you discover this? This is where Hendricks' approach is unique. He doesn't have a standard "personality test" where you answer 50 questions and it separates people into buckets. It's about stories, your stories. What are things you did, at any age, that you enjoyed, and felt a sense of satisfaction from? From these stories, you discover patterns that eventually reveal your giftedness. It's work to go through this process, but generates a custom output for you. Another worthwhile takeaway from the book was his analysis of "love to do" and "can do" activities and how these relate to your job and your relationships. There are always thing we "have to do" in our jobs, but the more overlap between the job requirements and your "love to do" strengths, the better the match for you ultimately.
November 17, 2014
The Person Called You
By Bill Hendricks
The questions of purpose, who we are, and what makes us special has interested people for generations. The Person Called You answers the questions of discovering your identify and your purpose.
Hendricks helps the reader discover their calling, their giftedness, so that people can live with purpose. The book devotes considerable time examining and learning how to foster the gifts (physical, spiritual and mental).
The ultimate goal, of the book, is to allow people to have a purpose for life, and a plan to fulfil it, so that we do not get caught up in perishing due to a lack of plan.
By Bill Hendricks
The questions of purpose, who we are, and what makes us special has interested people for generations. The Person Called You answers the questions of discovering your identify and your purpose.
Hendricks helps the reader discover their calling, their giftedness, so that people can live with purpose. The book devotes considerable time examining and learning how to foster the gifts (physical, spiritual and mental).
The ultimate goal, of the book, is to allow people to have a purpose for life, and a plan to fulfil it, so that we do not get caught up in perishing due to a lack of plan.
January 19, 2015
I read this book as Bill is a friend and has done "motivated abilities profiles" or "giftedness" assessment of individuals for the company. The premise is every person has God given gifts and this person will be most satisfied and productive when their life's work/purpose is centered in this giftedness.
The subtitle is on target "Why you're here, Why you matter, and What you should do with your life." This is excellent resource for young adults or one who lacks clarity of purpose.
Bill helped me identify my MAP or giftedness some years ago - and although well along in my career, it confirmed how the Lord blessed in my work.
The subtitle is on target "Why you're here, Why you matter, and What you should do with your life." This is excellent resource for young adults or one who lacks clarity of purpose.
Bill helped me identify my MAP or giftedness some years ago - and although well along in my career, it confirmed how the Lord blessed in my work.
August 21, 2016
The best book I've read on career identification - whether you are heading to college and looking for direction; or, looking for a change in career. The writer does an excellent job in objectively helping the reader identify the best course of action.
Want to read
February 24, 2015POV recommended. Son of Howard Hendricks. Also on Family Life Today.
January 3, 2016
Not worth reading.
January 13, 2016
Giftedness? Calling? Great intro into the big topic.
September 4, 2015
loved it.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews