‘Many people die with their music still in them. Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it, time runs out.’
― Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
Do You Already Know It?
You must have seen the children who are so brilliant in the things they do that anyone can predict their dazzling future. However, such children are only a few. Discovering the hidden talent doesn’t happen readily to everyone. There’s no fixed age and time when you’ll finally find your bent. Similarly, there’s no set procedure. Some realize their talent in school, while some others find it in their 50s or 60s.
But, the one thing that is common to all is that everyone possesses talent. Even that student who is perceived to be the dumbest in the class. No one is born without a flair. Now, the question is ‘how to discover that hidden gold?’
Stay On A Constant Lookout for Your Talent!
Recalling your school time interests, favorite childhood pastimes, asking the people around you what they think your strengths are, etc are the most commonly suggested ways of discovering one’s talent. However, I feel that these are only some of the ways. The picture is bigger.
Sir Ken Robinson, the author of ‘Finding Your Element: How to Discover Your Talents and Passions and Transform Your Life,’ in an interview to Forbes said:
‘If you’ve never been sailing, or picked up an instrument, or tried to teach or to write fiction, how would you know if you had a talent for these things?’
This theory by Robinson seems somewhat justified to me. If you’ve never tried something in your life, how would you know whether you’ve a flair for it or not?
Another believer of this theory of finding your talent by keeping on trying new things is America’s famous T.V. artist J.D. Roth. He says:
‘About five years ago, I made one simple change that’s helped me find more passion and purpose in my life. I started saying ‘yes’ to the things that scared me. Instead of turning down opportunities that seemed intimidating, I started embracing them. I began to talk with strangers. I agreed to appear on television. I swallowed my fear of heights and jumped out of an airplane. Basically, I stopped saying ‘no’ and started saying ‘yes’ to all of the things I’d been afraid to try before. This one change has made my life a thousand times more fulfilling than it was before.’
His words are quite convincing. If you’ve decided to spend some time musing and exploring your talent in the things that you’ve already tried, that’s a good idea for the time being. But, this talent finding voyage should go on and on till you’re alive. There’s no rule that a person can have only one talent in his life.
A man who is complacent with his flair of painting will never get to know that he could be a great swimmer or dancer or anything or anyone.
Read: Career Options After 12th
Let’s watch this video by Evan Carmichael that clearly explains how we hold ourselves from realizing our true potential.
Fixed Mentality and Growth Mentality
Dr. Carol Dweck, in her book ‘Mindset’ talks on this topic from a different viewpoint. She discusses two mentalities- Fixed and Growth. From her perspective, if you are always reluctant to do things because you think you can’t, chances are that you will never come across your hidden treasure.
Though I understand it is not practicable to try out every thing possible, one thing you can do is never hold back yourself from doing things that pique your interest, even slightly.
Try everything, at least once. Do not be relaxed and easygoing. Push yourself.
If you get jealous on seeing someone playing guitar and you wish you also could try it, you never know you might play it even better. And if you do not, you will at least learn a new thing.
Roth’s philosophy of replacing ever ‘NO’ that blocks your way to a new opportunity with a ‘Yes” is a must for everyone who earnestly wishes to discover a passion.
If you are going to limit your exploration to the things that you have already tried, you will limit your opportunities. Complacency will only play the role of an impediment in your journey.
Expand the area of exploration as much as you can. Grab every opportunity with optimism. Replace “I can’t do this” with “I will definitely try this.”
If you will follow the above theories, you will not only find a talent, but also discover many of your passions, strengths, and skills. You will realize how big and full of opportunities the sphere of life is.
This world is huge, this life is full of possibilities, and you are an explorer. Keep exploring. Do not give up! Do not give in!
A very well written article. Captivating as well as motivating. As Vincent Van Gogh said, “If you hear a voice within you say you can’t paint, then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” Keep up the good work 🙂