HOW TO USE YOUR TALENT

USING YOUR TALENT:

After developing a talent the most important thing is to use it.

Find  outlets for your talent. 

• There are great ways to use your talents that are unexpected, especially in terms of jobs that might come about because of your talents. This could be a job that you found, or a job you created based on what you saw was needed.
• For example, just because you're a trained singer, doesn't mean that you need to go into professional opera singing. You could use your musical abilities to start a singing camp for kids, or to help ease the seriously ill.
• Look around to see what's needed in terms of your talents. If you identify a missing need you could start up your own job. For example: if your talent is getting to know people, you could start up a business dedicating to connecting people with one another in your community.
  

Find a way to insert your talent into your job.

•  You don't necessarily have to have a job that is all about your talent. There's no reason for you not to try to incorporate it into your job, however. In fact, using your talent at work is a great way to increase your enthusiasm for your job.
• For example, if you love do artwork and you work at a coffee shop, consider decorating the specials blackboard, or turning your passion for art into learning latte art.
• Stop and consider how your talent might benefit your workplace. What is it you have to offer that might provide a creative or unusual solution to a problem?
  

Do something for others.

•  Turn that talent into a way to build community and to help other people. Think about all the people who have helped you on your road to success and try to do the same for others.
• Tutor low-income kids in your community in math skills, if math is your specialty. Participate in or create a local theater camp if acting is your talent. Offer to teach families in your city about gardening, or about fixing things, and so on and so on. You can find a million ways to give back.
• Be a mentor to someone in your field. If you've already gotten that professorship, for example, offer to mentor an up and coming graduate student in your field and help them identify their talents!