Talent is what God has gifted you with. You can hide it, neglect it, or use it. Often we find many talented people unable to make it big in life. The reasons are many.
Talent alone will not take you places. As Stephen King has said: “Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.”
Now what should you do with your talent?
Be Thankful and Humble
First of all be thankful to God that you have been uniquely gifted. On the other hand if you become proud, someday there will be a fall. And like Humpty Dumpty after his fall, no one might be able to put you back together again.
Be humble and in touch with others who are talented. Find out how they succeeded. See, success is a habit and you can learn those habits that lead you to excellence.
Do Something to Improve Your Talent Everyday
Secondly, do something to improve your talent everyday–be it singing, drawing, speaking, writing or anything else. Doing something each day will take you nearer your goal.
Some people never take an effort to use their talent. It is like digging a hole in the ground and burying it. Be sure that it will rust to its death and ruin there. What is the use of it, then?
Discipline Yourself
Thirdly, discipline yourself. You need to take care of your health, your habits, your relationships, and how you spend your time.
As H. Jackson Brown, Jr. has said, “Talent without discipline is like an octopus on roller skates. There’s plenty of movement, but you never know if it’s going to be forward, backwards, or sideways.”
Shine Your Light
Fourthly, when you are focused on bringing others happiness through your talent your light shines out. Someday, God will demand an accounting of how you used your talent. Then you shall earn your reward for best utilization of your time, talent, and treasure. As Jesus said:
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14–16).
Run with Perseverance
Finally, talent without perseverance cannot succeed. There will come obstacles, rejection, criticism, and setbacks. There will come times when you will pass through loss of confidence and self-doubts.
These are common to those who are uniquely gifted and talented. But it is your ability to hold on and move in spite of all these that will help you finish strong.
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1z.
Let me conclude reminding you once again that talent is God’s gift to you. Don’t let it remain unopened, unused, and neglected. Instead, fan into flame or kindle afresh the gift of God that is in you.
Featured image: Photo by Martin Lopez on Pexels | Pixir