Greetings, I am back from vacation, and I am excited to continue my focus on POWER!
Most dreams fail (or never begin) because they are not aligned with the proper sources of power. Willpower is high in the beginning, but willpower will fail. The very term “burnout” is telling: it’s the depletion of fuel that powers your dream. To avoid burnout (and other symptoms), plug into sources of sustainable energy and become unstoppable.
The key is: Identify our power sources, and direct them well.
The Power of Talent
There are many sources of power. The question is, what are the sources of power we have access to? Are they positive power sources? Are they sustainable power sources? And finally, how can we tap into these sources of power to become power-full?
As noted in last week's newsletter, we examined three foundational sources of power for dream building: calling, purpose, and a specific dream. These three components are powerful and sustainable energy sources.
This week I want to focus on talent.
What is Talent?
Talent is a marked natural ability. It’s something that comes relatively easy. It can be cultivated, refined, and mastered.
A talent is usually something we enjoy such as sports, music, dance, math, writing, etc.
Talent is an extremely important source of power as it is something we are gifted with, and the gift remains with us until we die. That means it is a sustainable power source.
A talent can be hidden, or not obvious. It can be expressed as a compulsion. A compulsion is an irresistible urge to perform some action. For example, we might love a sense of order and naturally organize things around us. Keeping things organized brings a sense of balance and satisfaction.
Talent, like many things in life, has levels. Everyone has talent. Being talented at something doesn’t mean we are a prodigy. It just means it’s something we should pay attention to and utilize.
Talent Inventory
It is crucial to look at some of the things we do subconsciously and make them conscious. This gives us clarity and allows us the power to do things intentionally.
It is a very good idea to create a talent inventory. A talent inventory is simply a list of things you are naturally good at.
Another exercise is to write down a list of things that you enjoy doing. Also, write down a list of things you hate doing. Looking at things we hate doing gives us insight into what we love doing.
We can also include a list of positive compulsions. For example, I discovered a compulsion I have, but was not consciously aware of it. I have a strong dislike for ambiguity and false complexity. Looking back at some of the things I have done in my life I realized a pattern. I tend to document things that are overwhelming. I also noticed that other people don’t do this. They seem to be OK with complexity or ambiguity. But for me, it’s a thorn in my side and I have to deal with it. It’s a compulsion. If a compulsion can be used for good, then I call it a talent.
Listing our talents, our loves and hates, and compulsions, gives us clues to natural power sources. It also helps us recognize talents we weren’t aware of.
Our talents don’t have to be the focus of our dream, but they can be utilized in concert with other sources of power to fulfill our dreams.
If you don’t have a talent inventory, now is a good time to create one. I review and update my talent inventory at least once a year.
Finally
Science is always looking for sustainable energy sources. Natural talent is like a sustainable resource. However, we must first tap into it in order to direct it to accomplish a useful purpose. Then it becomes a sustainable force.
There are many sources of power. Talent and positive compulsion are natural sources of sustainable power. We would be wise to tap into our talents, use them in concert with our other sources of power, and become power-full.
This is my fourth year writing about success. I am certain I wouldn’t have gotten this far without knowing my power sources and directing them well. The best is yet to come!
Love is the greatest power.
To your success!
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If you know any dreamers who could greatly benefit from this article, feel free to forward this email to them. I believe success is learned and good ideas are seeds that need to be sown.
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What is your dream?
My dream is to write small but powerful books that simplify success, and plant them like seeds.
BOOK 1
My first book is "FOUNDER - How to Build a Foundation for your Dreams." You can read it FREE at www.jamesonsuccess.com/books.
BOOK 2
My second book is "BUILDER - The five pillars of following your dream and building something that matters." You can read it FREE at www.jamesonsuccess.com/books.