Finding Personal Talents is a Process

Apr27
2012 38 Comments Written by danonleadership

It’s essential for leaders to find their personal talents, which is defined as, “Special natural abilities”. Each person has been given a unique set of talents but in my observation not everyone has found them. It is important for leaders to find personal talents because finding your talents brings purpose into your life. This is because your purpose and unique talents are closely connected with each other.

I have found finding personal talents is a process. Finding them does not magically happen in a day but it happens over a period of time. It’s like a funnel. A funnel is broad at the top then as it goes down and becomes narrow until there is a small hole at the very bottom. The purpose of a funnel is to allow a person to easily pour a liquid into a small whole without spilling any of the contents.

There is a similar process when a person starts to find their talents. The funnel principle shares the evolving progression of finding personal talents:  Finding your talents is a process. A person starts with a broad perspective of their talents. Then with focus and time they begin to have a clear perspective of their talents. Until they have fully found their unique talents.

I can’t say how long this process will take but know if you are being intentional about finding your talents then at some point you will have found them and be in your personal talent zone. If a leader is in their talent zone they are more productive and see better results. Greater things are accomplished when you have found your personal talents. After you have found your talents then the next step is to develop those areas and start working in them.

Question:  What was the process you went through when finding your talents?

Posted in Strengths & Talents - Tagged , ,
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  • http://perichoreticlife.blogspot.com/ Michael

    I don’t know. I think the process of finding talents can be messier than the funnel metaphor suggests. I think it’s more like eating vegetables…You just have to try them and find out. ;-)

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Michael,

      An aspect of the funnel process is getting out their and doing things so you better find your talents. I totally agree about the process being messy at times. Thank you for reading and sharing your insights.

  • http://www.beyondthesinnersprayer.wordpress.com/ Barb

    I know this sounds a little crazy, but I feel like I found my talents after several years of intense fellowship with God peeling off the top layer of sin in my life. It wasn’t until that top layer was off that I realized He had given me some gifts and had the desire to share those gifts with others. (Although the middle layer of sin is still getting in the way of me effectively using His gifts!)

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Barb,

      I totally understand what you are saying. I really like your statement, “years of intense fellowship with God.” Being connected with God and breaking free from sin can allow a person to better know their talents. Thank you for reading and adding to the discussion.

  • http://twitter.com/thomasmason_ Thomas Mason

    When I was younger I thought I had a talent. I was going to pursue that talent upon graduation from high school, but other things crept up and buried that talent. Now years later I feel that I’ve rediscovered, so to speak, that talent. With the funnel metaphor, for me, the top of the funnel was broad, I didn’t know how to pursue the talent, but as time has moved on and as the funnel has narrowed, the discovery of my talent has become a little clearer, although I’m still not certain how that talent will be pursued.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Thomas,

      I think many people go through the same thing. The talents of many people have been “buried between their childhood/teens to adult hood. I think at times we need to dig up our hidden talents. I hope it becomes clear on how to better use the talents your referring to. I know your a talented writing and write great content. Thank you for reading and sharing.

  • http://theregoi.com/ floyd

    Years of being in business and trying to seek God specifically in the process has honed my wisdom. I’m not even sure if I’d call mine talent, probably just God given wisdom. Without being negative, I like to call it, “Wisdom the hard way.”

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Floyd,

      God given wisdom is one of the best things a person can have. I would take wisdom over a lot of other things or talents. Though your talents plus Godly wisdom can be a great combination. Thank you for sharing your insights.

  • http://www.indueseason.net skottydog

    I think part of finding your talents is finding your passion first. Without passion, your talents become stagnant. What is it you loved to do as a kid? What would you do if income was not an issue? Often this is the first step in finding your underlying talents.

    Then, hopefully, you are working in an environment where your talents can be put to great use.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Scott,

      Finding your passions can totally direct you toward your talents. I think it’s a combination of knowing and finding both your talents and passions.

      The goal should be to find and be working in our passions and talents. Thank you for reading and adding to the discussion.

  • http://voiceofapatriot.com/ Susan

    Like Thomas, when I was much, much younger I had a talent that I was passionate about, but I wasn’t really good at. I let God direct me toward what He wanted me to do, and He brought me to His Word and writing. I have been writing for 30 years, and am still on the path to improvement. I have not been successful at writing, but that does not matter – that will come in due time. Recognizing your talent takes time, yes, but it also has to be in your heart. You cannot force a talent. By the way, that talent I had when I was younger, I am much better at now, because I let go of thinking it was what I wanted my life to be – now it is just for fun, and it is.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Susan,

      Great point about letting God direct you toward your talents, this is so essential. This requires seeking and asking God what your talents are.

      NOT successful at writing? Did I hear you right? Success is not measured by wealth and fame but by the value you add to others. Your using your talents of writing to add value and positively impact others. The money, fame, book deals, other other stuff will come in due time. Our job is to focus on using your talents to fulfill our God given purpose.

      Thank you for reading and sharing.

  • Branco Gio

    Great blogs Dan!

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Thank you Branco Gio.

  • http://www.nginaotiende.blogspot.com/ Ngina Otiende

    Great post Dan,

    I haven’t fully figured out all my talents :) , I think there is a whole lot I could do, just that I haven’t discovered it all.

    At some point I thought I had it all figured out though (what am good at) until circumstances forced me to stretch and go beyond my comfort zone. I found myself doing things I thought I could never do…and enjoying it!.

    I agree with you on how talents tie to purpose. That was the case with me. I discovered that though I may not do certain specific activities for life, the activities affirmed other angles of my purpose and how to execute it.

    By the way read, read that the average human being has like around 700 natural talents and abilities? :)

    Great thoughts today

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Ngina,

      I know your talented at writing. I know in time and being intentional about finding them you will fully find all of your God given talents. That’s amazing about the “average human beings have around 700 talents. Do you have the book/link you got that from? It would be great to read it.

      Thank you for adding to the discussion.

      • http://www.nginaotiende.blogspot.com/ Ngina Otiende

        Thanks for your kind words about my writing.

        I know of other areas of gifting and talents as well – but I believe there is more..like what my stretching period revealed.

        I read about the “700 natural abilities and talents” statistic in my personal development training program :) . The book is not online though. I guess google would help in this case :)

        • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

          Your welcome. I’ll try to Google it:)

  • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

    I think I am still going through this process. I don’t know what all my talents or gifts are but I look forward to God using me and revealing His will in my life each and every day.

    Thanks for this post.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      TC Avey,

      I know one of your talents is writing. God has definitely called you to influence and add value through your writing. Remember finding your talents is a process, with focus and time you will begin to find other talents. Glad you enjoyed the post.

      • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

        Thanks for your kind words Dan. I appreciate it.

        • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

          your welcome.

  • http://talesofwork.com/ kimanzi constable

    For me it was starting with a simple blog. I started once a week and increased as I felt my writing abilities got better. This post is so true that we have talent and can discover it, great thoughts today.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Kimanzi,

      you started with a simple blog and now it’s exploding. It’s great seeing the success of your writing. Keep up the great work. Your an example of someone who has maximized their talents.

  • http://www.lincolnparks.com Lincoln Parks

    Dan I just fell into my talent. Truly everyone kept telling me that I write very well and just by personal development I just fell into it. I am developing it by listening to GOD and keep writing and growing. Very timely post Dan.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Lincoln Parks,

      So finding your talents was a quick process. It’s great you found, developing, and using them. Keep listening to God, growing, and developing. It’s the key to do great things. I appreciate your comment.

  • http://deuceology.wordpress.com Larry Carter

    I think that a blog is a good example of this. I think many people just start broadly blogging. Then, as they go, they narrow down to what they really want to talk about.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Larry Carter,

      Very good point. Thank you for stopping by and sharing.

  • http://www.lifeofasteward.com Loren Pinilis

    Finding your talents is a messy process. Sometimes we just naturally gravitate towards them, but other times they’re hidden. I think really getting honest input from others is a crucial element.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      So true Loren. It just depends on the individual person. Each one of us is different. Thank you for reading and sharing.

    • Becky Hirst

      I agree completely with you Loren… finding your talents is so difficult for a lot of people… me being one of them. I was going out of my mind trying to figure out what it was that I was good at. I have to say through a lot of soul searching, and a great book I just finished reading titled, “The User’s Guide to Being Human: The Art and Science of Self,” by Scott Edmund Miller, I am slowly finding out my inner talents.
      http://usersguidetobeinghuman.com/

      • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

        Becky,

        Glad you started to find your talents. Thanks for sharing about the book. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks also for stopping by and reading.

  • http://dbartosik.com/ david bartosik

    one of the greatest tools for me in this process was strength finders and then having someone who knew me and knew this system walk with me through it!

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      David,

      The strengths finder test is a great way to discover what your good at. Great idea about having someone walk you through the process. Thank you for taking the time to read and share.

  • http://www.skipprichard.com/ Skip Prichard

    The funnel is a good visual of the process. And it’s often just before the real strength is identified that people tire out and give op. That’s what leaders need to do–push people to keep searching for what gives them energy.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Skip,

      Glad you liked the principle. Very true point about what leaders need to do, influence others to find their passions and talents. It’s an honor to have you stop by my blog. Hope to connected more with you in the future.

  • http://colebradburn.com/ Cole Bradburn

    My “talent” I always thought was the ability to learn and think. School was easily what I was best at, and then I realized that what I really had to offer the world was the way I saw and thought about things. Through that I have been developing my writing, which has been on/off since 8th grade.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Cole,

      It sounds like your able to learn and then effectively write what you have learned. All great talents to have. I like that fact that you have identified them and are using them through your writing. Thanks for reading and sharing.