I sometimes hear people refer to certain children as ‘gifted’. Interestingly, it is often in reference to academic achievement. A child is said to be ‘gifted’ if his or her grades are superior to those of their same aged peers. I find this type of reference to be an extremely unfortunate one because it suggests that these ‘gifted’ children are generally special, or superior to other children. This only serves to create an environment where some kids feel confidently superior to others,
The truth is that it should never be a question of whether a child is gifted or not. The question should be in what area is the child gifted. What are your gifts? If you are a parent, what are your child’s gifts? Is he a superior athlete? Is she a gifted musician? Is your son or daughter a ‘natural’ public speaker? Does he or she possess an unusually creative mind for writing stories, or for drawing or painting? These are all gifts that are equally relevant and valuable, when used in the right way. So often, people ignore their gifts because they have been raised with the idea that they are impractical and can never lead to a promising career. So instead, their educational and career pursuits are directed by trends in the current job market, where they feel the greatest financial rewards are, or by what they have been led to believe are the more dignified or distinguished careers. In this way, they risk abandoning their gifts, or using them only minimally. It is my belief that one should pursue personal and professional goals that allow them to use their gifts. Only in this way can one become both successful and fulfilled.
As for discovering our gifts, this is not difficult, as we all gravitate in some way to what gives us fulfillment. A great example can be found in the unusual path to success of lifestyle guru and businesswoman Martha Stewart. We all know where she has derived great success and fulfillment, but what most people don’t know is that her education comprises a degree in European and Architectural History, and that her first job was on Wall Street as a stockbroker. Clearly, neither have much to do with what she is known for today. It wasn’t until she and her husband bought and restored a 19th century farmhouse that she began to discover her passion for restoring and decorating.
As was the case for Martha Stewart, our gifts are always associated with the things we enjoy doing most. We’re all very good at the things we enjoy doing because we derive great pleasure and fulfillment from doing them. If you don’t like your job, you probably aren’t exceptionally good at it. If you don’t enjoy school, you probably aren’t getting exceptional grades and that’s probably because you’re not in a program that’s right for you. What’s important to understand is only you know what’s right for you; only you know what you enjoy and what you don’t enjoy. For this reason, the only person who needs to approve of your decision is you, and nobody else.
So, we all have gifts. What are yours? How can you use them in your personal and professional life? Is it ever too late? It wasn’t for Martha Stewart and it will never be too late for you.