You are brilliant, and not on some self-helpy, abracadabra type stuff. In the same way that your DNA and fingerprints are entirely unique, you posses an aptitude and skill that no one else on the face of the earth has. In that way, you are a legit masterpiece wired with a unique talent that it is your personalized mission to fulfill. That’s why you’re here.
I can’t think of one single person I know or have ever known who isn’t super skilled in some area, and those who are the most fulfilled are the ones who take the time to investigate and operate from their innate talents. If working from your own unique brand of genius is the key to fulfillment, then the first step is figuring out exactly what your knack is.
To aid in this pursuit, here are 15 super basic questions that will lead you down the path to uncovering your hidden talent:
1. Are you uncomfortable?
So the way society is set up, there are certain #goals, professions and landmarks that the world deems respectable. For this reason, most of us spend a lot of time in pursuit of things that may or may not be a fit for us. If you find yourself feeling a deep, nagging discomfort despite doing all the “right” things, it may be time for some self-evaluation.
2. Why am I even doing this?
The simplest, most complicated question there is. If you’re feeling restless or edgy in your career, relationship, or where you are in life, ask yourself why you’re even there. Really, why are you doing this? Is it what’s expected of you? Is it to fulfill someone else’s expectation? Are you afraid that it’s the only thing you’re capable of doing? Where are your motives rooted? What you’re doing is far less important than why you’re doing it.
3. Do you get the sense that there is something more for you?
If you’ve made it this far down the questionnaire, you probably already know that there’s something else you should be pursuing. You feel it. Trust your gut. Instincts be knowing.
4. What are your patterns?
What role do you constantly find yourself in? Have you always been the bossy one, the confidant, the leader? Are you the person who people always look for to plan and organize an event? You know that’s not by coincidence, right? Take a second look at the areas where you thrive.
5. Who inspires you?
Who do you stan hard for? Who is your favorite, most inspiring musician, actor, influencer? If you study that person, follow their story, listen to their interviews, I bet at some point they have confessed that they have gone to great extremes to operate in their calling. That’s the reason you are so drawn to them. When you are doing what you were created to do, that energy is magnetic, it radiates. Everyone around you can feel it. It’s bigger than you. Your purpose always serves others.
6. When do you feel your best?
There’s something you love so much that when you do it, hours and hours go by and you barely notice. It comes easy, it’s second nature, it’s almost effortless. When you’re playing to your strengths, the flourish comes naturally.
7. What’s your hidden talent?
Congratulations! Once you’ve identified your patterns and honed in on your strengths, you have uncovered your hidden talent. It doesn’t matter if you’re bagging groceries or teaching a class, your natural gift will always expose itself. The questions is, what are you going to do with it?
8. Now what?
Knowing your talent is one thing, what you decide to do with that information is something entirely different. Just because you love something doesn’t mean you need to drop everything in pursuit of it, or maybe it does. Maybe it becomes your side hustle, or maybe it’s just a part of your personality that you really love. There are no wrong answers here. This is the part where you get to decide how far to take it.
9. But what if..?
Okay, let’s be real for a second. If you knew with 100 percent certainty that you could be successful in turning this passion into a full-time paying gig, you’d totally do it! Of course you would.
10. Does it make you nervous?
Pursuing a dream requires a lot of faith. There might not be a job description or set path for what you want to do. That uncertainty can be nerve wracking. If you’re going to do this, you have to confront those fears, but don’t let them stop y===ou.
11. What scares you?
What stops most people from giving it an honest shot isn’t necessarily their inability, it’s the fear of failure and rejection. What will people say? What will they think? Will anyone care? What if I fail? The fear is real, but if you don’t try, you’ll never know what could’ve been. If you’re going to do this, you’re going to have to do it in spite of the fear.
12. It’s been done before, you know?
You’re not the first person to try and carve their own path. It has been done before, and successfully. Wendy Williams has carved out a career around her mastery of gossiping…GOSSIP. Stefanie Brown James and Quentin James left their careers and are now changing the game in the community organizing arena. Issa Rae is out here killing it by being her hilariously awkward self. There are tons of individuals whose names we will never know, who are doing life successfully, on their own terms. It is entirely possible to create your own niche if you’re willing to put in the effort.
13. What steps can you take?
Want to be a hair stylist? Try enrolling in one class. Dream of becoming a celeb chef? Start a YouTube cooking channel. You get the point, if you want to do something, what do you have to lose by taking one small step in that direction? No one said you have to drop everything and go running off into the sunset, but there’s no harm in trying from where you are.
14. Are weird things starting to happen?
Once you take a step out in pursuit of your passion, miraculous things start to happen. People and opportunities that are perfectly in line with your purpose begin to show up.
15. Are the dots connecting?
That one insane boss you had, that epic fail of a relationship, that weakness you’ve been trying to overcome, all of that stuff somehow works to the benefit of your purpose. When you start to see how one thing lead to the next and the next, that’s when you know you’re on the right track. It’s real out here.
Now that you’ve uncovered your talented, why not give it a shot? Research people who have excelled in what you’re trying to do, seek out mentors, take one step in the direction of your dreams. You’ll never know where your gift will take you if don’t try.
The transition into adulthood isn’t an easy one. Navigating relationships, managing workplace politics, hitting those milestones on schedule— don’t be fooled, no one knows what they’re doing. There will be all kinds of fumbles, blunders and awkward missteps along the way. If you’re constantly wondering to yourself, “Am I doing this right?” Welcome. This is just the place for you.
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