Word-Of-the-Week #1068: Talent
February 6, 2025 by Susan Clarke
Talent – a special, often creative natural ability or aptitude.
Does your job make you excited to wake up each morning and go to work? What job would you want if there were no parameters?
This week features excerpts from Phil Blair, “Finding your gifts that let you dream big about your career.”
“When it’s time to change jobs, that can be your choice or your employer’s.
No matter what, the worst reaction would be saying to yourself, “I don’t know what I do want to do.”
The second worst is, “I’ll do anything.”
To which I say, “Every person has unique gifts, and these gifts give him or her the power and the opportunity to accomplish great things, if he or she learns how to use those gifts and channel them in the right direction.”
I wish it was my quote, but it’s from Zig Ziegler in his book “Born to Win.”
At times, it can seem like everybody else knows more than we do. They appear to have a job they like, a successful career path, or at least a career plan. They know what they want to do. They also know what makes them happy in their job, at least for now.
But workplace situations can change very quickly, sometimes when you least expect it. The trick is to be prepared for what’s next.
My favorite exercise with clients who are wondering what to do next is play-acting the game of “What’s Your Ideal Job.”
What job would you want if there were no parameters? No education level, experience, location, salary, comp package, or anything else.
Over the years, I’ve found that my biggest challenge is getting attendees to think big — really big.
- A practical choice
In a recent session, one of my middle-aged clients told me he wanted to be a warehouse manager, a very practical choice for him. But I wanted him to dream bigger, so I countered with “How about CEO of FedEx?”
He surprised himself by saying, “Sure, that’d be great,” which is what I hoped he’d say.
It’s best to do this with a small group of people who know you, but maybe not enough to have preconceived ideas about what’s best for you.
The first few questions are, why would this be your ideal job? And what are the aspects of the job that most attract you?
- Helping new and interesting people
I gravitated to being an HR entrepreneur. My favorite parts of my job are still sales, marketing, staff development, and meeting new and interesting people.
If you’re looking for a job, write down your top four career paths in pencil, so you can change them at any time.
That way, you’re proactively working toward finding what career will make you happiest, and how to get there. You’re excited and focused, yet continually flexible.
After one of our recent paddleball matches, a friend parroted back to me my mantra of finding a career that makes you excited to wake up each morning and go to work.
That needs to be your goal, too.
Not “I don’t know” or “I’ll do anything.”
This week’s focus is on career. Are you thinking of changing jobs? Do you know what your special talents are? What would your ideal career be?
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