Article Contributed by Gary Jordan
Determining whether a particular skill you possess is natural or acquired is an important step to doing more of what you do best. Because many of of our natural skills bring a greater feeling of joy, these skills are worth discovering and developing.
A “skill” is a behavior or ability you’ve developed through training or experience. And, while all personal skills are behaviors, not all behaviors are skills. For example, telling a joke is a skill; laughing at a joke is a behavior.
Some of your skills are natural, meaning that were born with the potential to develop them easily. By the way, you usually have a strong affinity for those skills which are natural to you. Some of your skills are acquired, meaning you had to put more effort into developing them than you did your natural skills.
You may be able to perform both with equal ease, but the skills that are acquired will cost you more in terms of psychological, emotional and physical effort. The skills that are natural to you tend to bring with them fulfillment and joy, leading to a greater feeling of life success.
Take 10 minutes to reflect on the behaviors you perform every day.
o Which of these behaviors are skills?
o Which of these behaviors do you find easy, look forward to doing, or gain great satisfaction when you do them?
o Which do you find more challenging?
o Which do you find yourself putting off or postponing?
These are important keys to discovering your natural skills. Discovering and nurturing a new talent is an opportunity to find what you need to be successful in life and enjoy life more fully. When we are doing what we love, we are often performing at our best. This leads to a kind of fulfillment that allows us to live life passionately and happily.
About the Author
Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology – Berkeley. He’s the co-founder of Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that specializes in helping people discover their true skills and talents. www.vrft.com.
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