Extracurricular Talent?

August 14, 2007

OK, guys.  Good stuff!  Thanks to Michele and Todd for stopping by. And thanks to the rest of you for your comments.  I’m anxious to dive into the actual first chapter (which I have read, by the way).  But I honestly can’t resist one brief post before we do.

I hope you’ve had a chance to read the comments from the last two posts.  In case you didn’t, I can some it up easily:

“I know I have talent, but only in moderate amounts in several different areas – nothing specific.”

Each of you at least implied this in your comments.  I should point out that I feel the same way.  Sure, I can hold my own at greased pig chasing, but I’m not exactly the world champ.  So does this mean that my swine stalking skills are any less valuable?  Certainly not in my home town of Arab, AL.  And the same holds true for any of our talents.

Kristen talks about never really excelling at anything but finding value in her traits of loyalty, passion, and commitment.

Cheryl is the same way, having often associated “talent” with those extra-curricular activies that always seem to go hand-in-hand with some goofy uniform or medal.

Kevin considers himself well-rounded with talent and really just wants one of those watches.  (Sorry – sold out!)

I agree with Michele.  Our gifts tend to surface in many areas of our lives.  Things like loyalty, passion, and commitment aren’t necessarily extra-curricular.  There’s no place in the year book for Most Likely to be Committed (well – there was in mine, but that’s not exactly what we meant).  I would have to say, however, that this trait seems to serve Kristen extremely well as she works to be a successful mom and wife.

I also agree with Todd in the first “Talent” post.  These talents are gifts from God.  To identify them, to develop them, to use them isn’t at all extra-curricular.  In fact, it’s ”pass-or-fail” kind of stuff.  It’s the difference between being in the year book or being relagated to one of those post-graduation Summer Supplements with a bad photocopied picture.  (What? I had a cousin.)

Anyway,  Todd suggests that how we use our talents is indicative of the kind of stewards we are.  (Thanks, Todd.  Now I have a low self esteem AND a guilt complex. )  So where does this leave us?  I can say this.  Each of you has talent.  Each of you has incredible talent.  I know it’s easy to focus on all the “5′s” and “6′s” in your life.  But I want to encourage you to identify those “7′s” and “8′s”.  

Kristen’s passion seems to manifest into a remarkable ability to identify with people, even in difficult circumstances or with sensitive issues.  She has a talent for connecting with others and being able to listen enough to help people find workable solutions to their problems, solutions that were inside of them all along.

Cheryl’s ability to organize and maximize has given her a great career as a project manager.  Her limitless creativity and complete and total dedication to her daughter has made her blog the envy of mothers around the globe (or at least Williamson Country).

And Kevin, well let’s face it.  You’ve got great hair!  And aside from that, your ability to break down numbers and complicated patterns of financial data so that guys like me can understand them . . . well sir, that takes some incredible talent.

Before we move ahead to Chapter One (which, by the way, is completely about BELIEF in your talent), I want you guys to check out another book.  You don’t have to read it, but there’s a code in the jacket of the book that will allow you to take an online assessment of your strengths.  The book is called Now, Discover Your Strengths.  The whole premise is based on finding those “7′s” and “8′s” and building on those instead of banging your head against the wall trying to shake a “6″ out of your semi-talented right ear.

Perhaps your strength is WOO (Winning Others Over) or maybe Vision.  There are several major categories this book examines.  As it turns out, my principle strength is called “Maximizer,” the ability to recognize and maximize the strengths of others (which kind of explains why I’m writing this series of posts instead of sleeping – I’m also a talented sleeper). 

Keep the comments coming.  If you had to pick ONE key strength, what would it be?  And I don’t really care if you can play “Devil Went Down to Georgia” on a sousaphone.  Give me something real.  Lastly, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Talent Is Never Enough.  The more I read, the more I’m convinced that each of us has a talent – a tool for accomplishing God’s purpose on Earth.  Why would we NOT want to discover our strength and be a Talent-Plus individual for Him?

Posted in Books, Life in General