CBAs Motivational Collection for WEEK 7, 2007
We are now in the seventh week of the year, which brings us to the letter “T” in the CBAs. This week’s corresponding word that I’ve chosen to discuss is talent.
For me, talent has sometimes seemed a curse. I remember years ago standing around chatting with the other guys after we’d be dismissed from a church service discussing what we all had in store for the following week. One would say that he was changing the engine in his vehicle and asked another if he paid him something, would he come to help. Another would state he was remodeling his bathroom and would ask someone for a price for his services to come over and help. Then, someone would say to me, “We need to have a poster done for the church, don’t spend too much time on it”. It seemed that everyone else had “skills” and I had “talent”. I could sing and I could draw, but back then it wasn’t a marketable commodity.
I’ve now learned to place a value on my work. Just as it is true that “when you don’t schedule your own time, someone else will”, it is equally true, “if you don’t value your talents, no one else will”. Today I will discuss how to find what your talent is, how to embrace it and nurture it, and then how to market it.
A talent, I believe is a gift from our creator. I can’t see how anyone who has something that seemingly comes easy to them, can think anything else. Yes, the initial raw resource is given and then must be refined but nonetheless, it seems to come so easy that it must come from somewhere “out there”. That “out there” to me is our creator, as I believe all inspiration comes from God. Most, unfortunately, sucomb to the distractions or and negative influences around them to refine this raw talent, but because you are reading this, I know you want to improve and pursue your gift.
First, how does one know that he or she has this “gift”? The answer I believe is simple; it is when those around you tell you. They may say, that they enjoy your singing, speaking, playing, performing, or whatever. Be cautioned however to know whether these comments are genuine and sincere or just simple attempts at flattery. Usually repeated positive comments by many will confirm that you do have a genuine gift. This is what I call the “confirmation test”. Now that you know youdo have a gift, you have the responsibility to use it! I’ve always said, “don’t die with your music in you.”
The American director and actor, Martin Ritt stated, “I don't have a lot of respect for talent. Talent is genetic. It's what you do with it that counts.” I’m not in total agreement with the “genetic” part as stated above, but in my case, I knew I had certain gifts because they all passed the “confirmation” test. My best advice to you, the reader, is when you know you have certain gifts, is that you to pursue them using the best path available to you at the time. What I mean here is that if you hurt others, then this is not the “best” path. You don’t need to sacrifice family and friends to finally reach your gift’s potential. Yes, you will need to work “around” your responsibilities and put off certain wants, desires and distractions to attain your goal of whatever you want to do with your talent, but be careful not to ruin your relationships to arrive there. After all, aren’t these the very reasons you have been given your talent? Schedule times that you can research, improve, and hone your talents so you can give it back to your world of family and friends ten or one hundred fold!
Now, how can you market you gift? This for me is probably the most fun part; because marketing is such a creative process. I’ve had the privilege to assist many companies promote their products and services over the years and your talent must be thought of as a worthwhile product. Yes, believe in your talent and treat it like a “product”, something that is tangible and can be marketed. Only when you understand your talent is an actual “thing”, you can now follow direction given to market any item from pencils to planes or apples to oranges. There are many books, classes, and seminars on the subject. Do the research, trust your instructor, and act on what is taught. Not taking action is what leaves much talent lying dormant, never to be used and appreciated by the world, but that’s another article! As Robert Schumann told us, “ Talent works, genius creates.” Perhaps genius is the gift and your talent needs to be working. Also, Nero stated, “hidden talent counts for nothing.”
This week be sensitive to what people are saying to you and find what your hidden talents are. Then use the confirmation test, nurture and grow your talents and when you are ready, expose them to the world.
I welcome any comments and questions about this article and the collection of CBAs Motivational Collection. Your input in invaluable to me as together we journey through 26 weeks of letters with the corresponding word quote.
Let others know about the CBAs Motivational Collection so they too can receive a new article in their email box each week.
Make it a great day! Ter Scott! |
