How do you discover your natural talents?
Let me tell you it is not easy - people take a whole lifetime to discover this... and you can't do it unless you are 100% honest - ego less - to yourself.
It may take 3-5 iterations to reach the final list - I suggest you make a list every sunday for next 2 sunday's and then compile both lists. Then examine it the third sunday - if you are not satisfied - do it again.
First, write down a list of those things that you do that seem easy for you. These are the things that you can do that seem almost effortless. Often, the tasks that are easy for us are those where we have a special aptitude.
Next, make a list of those things you do where time just seems to fly by. When you are doing these activities, you may look up and realize that several hours have passed without you even realizing it. This is a good clue to activities where you have natural talent.
Finally, write all the activities that make you happy. These are things that make you smile. These are the tasks you would do just for yourself, with no promise of gain, just because they're fun, interesting and fulfilling.
Look through the three lists to find the common activities. These are likely to be the areas of your natural aptitude and talent. These are the areas of greatest potential for you.
Imagine if you could spend most of your time developing and playing at something that makes you happy, where time flies and where it's easy for you. Wow!
Don't get caught up in the old advice to work on your weaknesses. Hire someone who is good where you are weak. Delegate tasks that you don't enjoy to others who do enjoy those things. Automate the repetitious tasks. Contract out the chores that you are not great at doing.
No matter how hard you try, it is unlikely you will ever be more than average in areas where you do not have an aptitude. Always working on your weaknesses undermines your self esteem since you will focus mostly on your deficiencies.
On the other hand, working to develop your natural talents is self rewarding and motivating, allowing you to continually realize higher and higher levels of ability, achievement and success.
Invest your time and energy in being great at something. Really great. You will be happier. And the recipients of your work, your customers will reward you for your excellence.
What a combination; doing what you love and people pay you for it!
Focus on your strengths. Experience the immense satisfaction that comes with being superb at something.
