UXL Blog

“Use what talents you possess – the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.”

Henry van Dyke

Allow me to make a bold statement: You are talented. If you don’t believe me, you’re being far too critical of yourself and I encourage you to step back, think about your myriad accomplishments, and rework your definition of “talent.”

Step One: Take a Step Back

When you’re “in the weeds” in your professional or personal life, it’s easy to lose sight of your talents. They become hidden under piles of routine work and everyday tasks. They are placed on the backburner of your mind.

That’s why it’s helpful to step away from your day-to-day tasks every once in a while and consider what you’ve achieved. If you are having trouble pinpointing your talents, enlist the help of others or consider taking an assessment test. (As an LP of Insights Discovery, I recommend that one!)

Step Two: Consider Your Accomplishments

When thinking about your talents, cast a wide net. Think about what you’ve achieved in both your personal life and career. Consider what you’re good at, whether these things come naturally or have taken a good deal of effort to achieve. For example:

Have you organized a multi-family Thanksgiving dinner with multiple courses and activities? That’s a talent!

Do you have a knack for interpreting data? That’s a talent!

Are you adept at leading team meetings? Writing reports? Recognizing strengths in others? Talent, talent, and talent.

Just because something comes naturally to you, doesn’t mean it does for everyone. It’s just that you’ve mastered a skill and take your expertise for granted. It’s time to recognize that you DO have skillsets that others might not. You DO have talent.

Looking for a job change? Or, hoping to accelerate your current career? Check out the career resources (both FREE and paid) on my website!

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

Tags: discover your expertise, discover your talents, Margaret Smith life coach, Margaret Smith professional speaker, you are talented