You are talented, it’s true…
In my previous blog I broached the subject of talents and the fact that capitalizing on them could increase the potential of achieving a successful and fruitful life. So, I thought that it might be interesting at this stage to elaborate a bit further on that topic.
A talent is inherent. This means it is the sort of aptitude that comes without training – in other terms: you were born with it. It should not be confused with a skill, which is an ability acquired and developed through practice.
Talents play an important role in our life as they form the core of our personalities. They guide our choices, they explain why some things come naturally to us while others don’t, why we are drawn to certain activities and not to others. However, most of the time we take our talents for granted or may not even be aware of them. And yet, they are key to our personal development.
Some might argue that we all change over time and that our personalities evolve. True! But I measure the elements of your personality that are less likely to change – your talents. In fact, scientists have discovered that core personality traits are relatively stable throughout adult life. A compelling 23-year study of 1,000 New Zealand kids revealed that a child’s observed personality at the age of 3 shows significant resemblance to his or her personality traits at the age of 26[1].
What comes next once you have discovered your talents? Well, that could be the subject of another article in its own right, but in a nutshell, you would have to transform them into strengths. This will require practice and work, just like it would for physical strengths. By analogy, talents are like muscles. The more you exercise them, the more they develop.
Be kind to yourself…
[1] Caspi, A., Harrington, H., Milne, B., Amell, J.W., Theodore, R.F., & Moffitt, T.E. (2003). Children’s behavioral styles at age 3 are linked to their adult personality traits at age 26. Journal of Personality, 71, 495-514.
About the coach
My perspective is built on a more positive view of human nature. I see individuals as driven to reach their potential. There is nothing wrong with wanting to fix one’s weaknesses, and in fact it should be the ultimate goal of our lives. But I believe that this is not where personal development should start.