What are your talents?

I saw a video recently that Reese Witherspoon posted. She said she had just gotten off the phone with a young lady who had called her for career advice. When Reese asked her what her talents are, the young lady had difficulty answering. Reese’s advice? Don’t chase your dreams; chase your talents. It makes sense. Do something you are good at and enjoy; don’t spin your wheels going after a pie-in-the-sky dream.

I have a daughter who is about to graduate from college, and I sent the video to her. Of course, I can’t say too much to her, because she will just push back, but if she asks me her talents, it will be easy for me to tell her what they are. She would kill me if I put them out there for the universe to read, so I will skip to me.

I’m a 58-year-old empty nester, but Reese made me start thinking about what my own talents are. I’m not gifted in the fine arts. My singing makes ears bleed. My drawing/painting might win a preschool award. I’m not a good runner. I can walk all day long when I don’t have sciatica, but run? Not so much. Those talents are not mine. One thing I know I do better than most people? I remember names and faces really well. Do I remember every single one? No, but I remember most. I have always known it was something I did better than 99 percent of the population, but how do you turn that into income?

Another talent? My daughter and husband likely would not call this a talent, but I am what they refer to as a “yapper.” I can talk to a wall, as they say. I like to talk to people! I like to get their stories! I like to learn about them and where they’re from! (I’m a perpetual learner; is that a talent?) I also like to think I’m approachable, fun, and funny.

I’m now trying to decide how I can turn those talents into income.

But while I think about that, I’m going to share some talents I have observed in others. One really big talent I have seen in some people? Making other people feel special. You know people who can talk to you and make you feel like the only person in the room? That is real talent. I think that is the kind of talent that can carry someone a long way in life. If I were hiring someone for just about any job, I would want to hire someone who can make people feel special. I don’t even know if that is something that can be learned. I think it might be an innate skill…maybe hereditary or passed down through families.

Positivity. Some people would consider that a personality trait, but I think it’s another great talent. I know you’re thinking it’s not a talent, but it is. I have a friend who had not worked in 15 years while she raised her daughter. She had worked for one of the big banks in the credit card division before having a baby. She wanted to get a job after 15 years, and she finally had an interview with a bank. She called me and said, “I know I won’t get this job, but it will be good interview experience.” I said, “They are going to hire you, and I will tell you why. You are happy and always have a positive attitude. Anyone hiring can see that you will be good for office morale, without a doubt.” Was I right? She got the job. Her first interview in 15 years, and she got the job, and I like to think it’s because of her positive outlook! People want to be around her! I call her Miss Merry Sunshine.

There are other, more tangible talents, of course. Some people are good with numbers, while others are good writers. Some people are natural-born salespeople…you know, the ones who can sell ice to an eskimo. There are people who are very detail-oriented; those are the more type-A people of the world, and I admire them, because I’m not one of them. I’m a big picture kind of person. But “big picture” people have a place in the world too and can be very successful in careers that require delegation. Some people can use their physical strengths in construction. Others can use their automobile knowledge in that industry. I know someone whose mental strength/physical strength/love of animals made him perfect for a post-retirement career in animal control. He’s also fearless, so there’s that. Someone who has exceptional boating abilities could run a charter service. Good with children? Become a teacher or coach! Good with animals? Dog training might be in your future. Trendsetter? A career in fashion might be good or even owning a boutique might be a great option!

I know lots of people who have “children” graduating from high school and college soon. This might be a good time to send them Reese Witherspoon’s video. I think her advice is pretty darn solid: find your talents.

See Reese’s video here.