Motivation and Talent
By Henry Neils
Hydrogen and oxygen are distinctly different elements, but sometimes
they combine to form water. Something similar is true for motivation
and talent.
Motivation is the desire to do something. Talent is what you do well
naturally. They can exist independently, but when they combine, they
create something special. They create motivated talents.
People often are naturally good at something (talented), but it just
doesn’t turn them on. For example, Heather is good with numbers, but
she doesn’t go out of her way to find tasks calling for that talent.
Most people have such talents. But then there are those talents that we
really enjoy using. These are the motivated talents, and this is where
the magic is.
We use motivated talents every chance we get. Most of the time we don’t
even think about it. For example, Larry has a motivated talent for
conversation, and he naturally engages both friends and strangers in
dialog. He doesn’t consciously determine to do so; it just happens.
It’s natural and unforced. He enjoys it, and he’s good at it. That’s
the hallmark of a motivated talent.
Motivated talents tend to be irrepressible. They find expression. In
fact, if you’ve ever tried to stifle a motivated talent (either yours
or someone else’s) it probably felt like you were trying to hold two
dozen ping pong balls under water at the same time. Motivated talents
pop out, even if no one else is asking for them. And doesn’t that make
sense? After all, it’s what we do well AND enjoy.
Well then, wouldn’t the ideal job be one where you can use your
motivated talents daily and get paid for it? Absolutely! But more on
that later.
What are your motivated talents? Shouldn’t your boss know? You can let
him/her know by giving them a copy of you own career assessment.
Get a job you love and never work a day in your life.
Henry Neils
President
www.Assessment.com
Henry Neils is President and Founder of Assessment.com, the leading
online career assessment company focused on helping employees and
employers work together for their mutual benefit. Millions of people
have gained personal insight into their careers by using the tools,
such as MAPP™ (Motivational Appraisal of Personal Potential), provided
at Assessment.com.