HELPING OTHERS FIND THEIR
TALENTS
My challenge to you this January is to
utilize this built-in ability you have to recognize what’s
special about others. If you have a child, a grandchild or even a
spouse or close friend who can’t decide what to do with their
lives or is unhappy in what they are doing, you may be able to
help. Friends who are about to retire frequently question their
next step. What can they do now? You can help.
It is always easier to see other people’s talents than it is
your own. When my daughter first moved to Colorado and wasn’t
happy in her job, I decided to list what I saw as her talents, then
thought of ideas on how she could earn money. She has a liberal
arts degree, is certified to teach, plus has a masters in
sustainability. She also won two-time national championships in
swimming and is a natural artist.
I wrote to her and said, “So, first, a
list of talents I see that you have:
TALENTS:
These are things I see that you do
naturally.”
• Art
• Swimming
• Biking
• Yoga
• Kayaking (sp.?)
• Photography
• Muraling
• Setting up art shows
• Organizing
• Cooking
• Writing
• Speaking
• Teaching: community college, adult ed., internet,
corporations, etc.
• Stained glass
IDEAS
OF THINGS YOU COULD DO TO EARN MONEY:
• TEACH ADULTS: Sketching, water colors, pastels,
murals--whatever you most enjoy doing. If you did this at a
local center and charged only $50 a night, with 10 in a class that
would be $500 a night. SAVE STORIES of participants to
eventually write a book about the impact of art on adults.
• TEACH swimming to adults.
• TEACH natural foods cooking - keep record of recipes for
eventual book.
• TEACH Job Search Skills (could use my book). Videotape
interview.
• TEACH PARENTS how to teach art to their kids.
• DOG GROOMER/TRAINER: www.thepetstaff.com.
Get regular clients. Dave Silva is going to buy an old bus
when he retires so he can set up a dog sitting service in his
yard.
• Traveling pet washeteria/grooming.
• PHOTOGRAPHY: make Glenwood Springs postcards - sell at
local stores.
• Start local ON-LINE DATING service - throw parties, take
pictures
www.singleshots.com
• HAVE DINNER CLUB where people pay to learn new recipes and
meet others.
• Start CRAFTS GROUP: Bring in person each month for
quilting, needlepoint, lace-making, watercolors, etc.
• Check local Chamber of Commerce to see what’s needed
by businesses in town.
• MAKE THINGS: dolls, etc.--sell at craft fairs.
• CONTRACT WORK - temp agency to work at different locations
to see what you most enjoy doing.
• Hold DISCOVER YOUR PASSION workshops.
• Come up with unusual combination: yoga to art,
swimming to yoga: perfect and use in spas.
• Special Niche: art with a theme
• SPEAKING ON YOUR NICHE: Rotary, library, bookstore,
churches, schools, colleges, hospitals.
• WORKSHOPS on saving money; being healthy. Use your
experience with thrift shops and natural cooking.
• DO VIDEO of your class - show on local TV stations.
• Find problem in your area; do documentary on it.
• GIFTS: make and sell.
• ORGANIZER
• PAINT PORTRAITS from photos.
• DESIGN AND WRITE greeting cards.
• Buy funky furniture at garage sales or estate sales, fix and
resell at flea markets or e-Bay.
• Mary Kay consultant - you’ve got the skin for
it.
•
WRITING: www.freelancewriting.com
• Be a painting coach
PLUS LOTS MORE--YOU HAVE SOOOOOOO MUCH TALENT!!!!
ASSIGNMENT:
Look at everything you’ve done and rate it on a scale of 1 to
10 on the happiness and/or enjoyment scale. One, you hated
it; ten, you loved it.
Anything that comes out over seven, ask yourself:
• What do/did you love most about that activity?
• What would you like to avoid in this activity, or in your
life in general?
• What resources are available to you? (Truck, spare
time, talent, experience, etc.?)
Then you have an Idea Party. The following paragraphs come
from author Barbara Sher’s Idea book. It was from
reading her books that I started Success Teams which are natural
followups for Idea Parties.
1.
FIND GOOD PEOPLE TO INVITE. Each time you meet someone
you’d like to know better, give that person your name and
phone number and invite them to your Idea Party, even if you
don’t yet have a date or location. Hopefully,
you’ll collect a few new names and phone numbers. Call
everyone. The first person you speak with can be your
buddy. She’ll help you pick the date and location and
call people she knows. Ask friends, family and coworkers to
come. Have as many as 15 or 20 people, the more varied
their backgrounds, the better.
2.
TELL EVERYONE TO BRING FOOD AND SEND THEM STRAIGHT TO THE
KITCHEN.
Potluck is a good way to break the ice. Gives everyone
the feeling of working together right from the beginning.
3.
BEGIN THE BRAINSTORMING
After everyone has a plate and is sitting, the brainstorming
begins. Have pads of paper and pencils available. One
by one, each person can ask for some help with brainstorming (or
feel free to pass if they choose). Here’s what they
will say:
“Here is my wish: __________
and here is my obstacle: ____________”
Each speaker should present only one wish and one major
obstacle. Explain as little as possible, as there’s
plenty of time to get suggestions. Each person gets 5 minutes
unless there are fewer than 8 people, then they get 10
minutes. You want to keep the pace snappy.
4.
TIMEKEEPER’S TIPS
Don’t worry if there doesn’t seem to be enough time;
everyone can talk after the brainstorming when they break for
dessert and coffee. Timekeeper’s tip: use a time,
one that makes a loud “Ding!” when the time is
up. You don’t want to be the bad guy who stops people
from talking. BUT IF EVERYBODY TAKES TOO MUCH TIME, SOMEONE
WON’T GET THEIR CHANCE. The whole brainstorming
shouldn’t take more than 1 1/2 hours.
5.
BREAK FOR DESSERT
After everyone has had a chance to get ideas, the brainstorming is
over. But the party goes on. Return to the food table
for dessert or coffee. This is when people will get to know
each other. By this time, they will have some questions for
each other, or more advice than they had time for during the
brainstorming. Be sure to leave enough time for this part of
the evening. It is an important part of the process.
6.
FINALE
When
the evening is over, expect to get compliments on this party,
because Idea Parties are fun! Ask people to leave their names
and numbers if they want to be called for he next Idea party.
Go to their house next time.
7.
THROW ANOTHER IDEA PARTY IN A MONTH - AND WATCH YOUR LIFE GET
BETTER.
At
every party, you’ll meet new people. Idea Parties are a
sensational way to get to know the best people in town, and a warm
and stimulating way to do some first class networking. Never
underestimate the difference it can make in your life to meet
someone who can hand you a piece to your puzzle. You
could find out something that changes your life in this
best and oldest way of socializing.
8.
FORGET SELF-IMPROVEMENT
Isolation is the dream killer.
You don’t need a positive attitude or self-confidence to make
your dreams come true. You just need a lot of friends who
want to see you get your dreams. With that support,
your world will turn around.
Some things to think about.......