"Talent is only the starting point." -Irving Berlin, American Composer and Lyricist, Irving Berlin books and CDs//

We all have natural and innate abilities to do some things better than others. Our genetics determine, to a certain degree, our predispositions and inclinations. We are endowed with gifts from birth that make us uniquely competent in ways that others are not. "Talent is only the starting point," as Berlin accurately points out, and it's up to us to develop our natural abilities into strengths, if we are to truly maximize our potential.

People who learn how to develop their talents into strengths are the ones that tend to stand out. They are the star athletes, innovative scientists, popular artists and successful entrepreneurs. These exemplary performers understand the value of shaping, polishing and perfecting natural abilities.

How do you develop talents into strengths?

Identify. The first thing you need to do is identify what your natural talents really are. The hard part about this is many people confuse desired skills with inherent abilities. You can develop skills that are not natural talents, but these are unlikely to be considered strengths. Most people can learn how to perform a skill or task at an acceptable level, however the desire to achieve is not always met with the ability to succeed, or exceed expectations. Discovering what your talents really are is a necessary and important step in the process of maximizing performance and distinguishing yourself within a group.

Accept. Just because you're good at something doesn't mean you're perfect. There will always be people better than you at any given task or skill - you must accept this. Once you accept the fact that you will be in competition with others to stand out, then you can use that as motivation to develop your talent into a strength. People like to achieve "all-pro" or "expert" status, but it's rare for this to happen in a non-competitive environment. Acceptance of the need to improve consistently over time, combined with the elimination of ego and apathy, is absolutely necessary to become one of the best in your field.

Amplify. Once you have identified a natural talent and accepted that it can be improved, the next step is to amplify this talent and turn it into a true strength. People amplify talents by learning how to apply them more often to their daily activities. They visualize, practice, study, implement, execute and learn. They repeat this cycle over and over again, understanding that each time they get a little bit better. They apply a work ethic and determination to the development process, and they stick with it for a sustained period of time. The amplification of talents and development of strengths takes work, but the payoff is huge. People who develop talents into strengths are much more likely to achieve their goals in life.

We are all born with natural talents and abilities, but genetics are not enough to distinguish good from great performers. Geniuses who do nothing to stimulate their brains will never invent something new and useful for the world. Athletes who never practice, regardless of how fast or strong they are, will be of little use to their teams. Artists who refuse to write, draw, paint or perform consistently will not likely be anything more than mediocre.

Turning talents into strengths requires discipline, work ethic and humility. If you really want to be the best at something, take the time to identify, accept and amplify your natural abilities and develop them into strengths.

What are your talents? Are you developing them into strengths? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Related Posts:

The Opposite of Insanity - 3 Steps to Create a Positive Development Plan
Are You Living Up to Your Full Potential?
The 4 Cs of Golf and Life