What does it mean to be talented?

There are many disabilities worse than missing arms and legs - fear is one of them. It is impossible to be a happy and fulfilled person if fear paralyzes us every time we have to make an important decision. Fear clips our wings and prevents us from reaching our full potential.

- Nick Vujicic

In high school I took math and physics, but my interests were in Polish and English. Although I didn't get bad grades in science subjects, I didn't feel confident in them and they just didn't give me as much pleasure as languages. I wanted to improve my language skills, so I spoke, read and wrote a lot in Polish and English. My parents are English teachers, which may have influenced my interests. However, my brother, who grew up in the same home and environment, was not interested in the humanities, but rather in the sciences.

According to Harvard University professor Howard Gardner, each of us has individual talents and aptitudes. Most schools focus primarily on developing verbal and logical-mathematical intelligence, which are most often assessed and rewarded. Unfortunately, students who have an advantage in other types of intelligence are often overlooked and have fewer opportunities to develop their potential. Therefore, it is worthwhile to pay attention to the development of those talents that are unique to us and represent our advantage. Gardner developed a widely accepted theory in which he distinguished 8 types of intelligence:

• linguistic intelligence

• logical-mathematical intelligence

• visual-spatial intelligence

• bodily-kinesthetic intelligence

• musical intelligence

• interpersonal (social) intelligence

• intrapersonal (existential) intelligence

• naturalist intelligence

For example, many intelligence tests focus on mathematical and logical abilities, but few take into account other types of intelligence, such as musical, motor, or interpersonal. Therefore, if someone has musical talent and wants to become a musician in the future, they should focus on developing their musical intelligence. Similarly, a person who is interested in sports may want to focus on developing his or her motor intelligence. In this way, by developing their strengths, students can achieve success in their field and enjoy a rewarding career or hobby.

Many people accept mediocrity because they don't see talent in themselves. I firmly believe that everyone is talented, it's just that we often don't give ourselves a chance. The word itself may seem highfalutin to us, but talent is nothing more than a natural ability, predisposition, or skill to do certain things. Of course, we cannot expect to achieve extraordinary results without putting in the work. However, if we commit to developing the skill that we are drawn to, that excites us, and that fulfills us, it can bring us great satisfaction.

According to Professor Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a psychologist and researcher in the field of positive psychology: "Every person has at least a few areas in which he or she could excel. The problem is that most people do not develop their potential because it requires effort and self-discipline. It's not enough to have talent - you have to develop it, which requires hard work and dedication.

In conclusion, it's worth paying attention to developing your individual talents and aptitudes, because each of us has something unique. Unfortunately, many schools focus only on assessing and developing verbal and logical-mathematical intelligence, which often means that other types of intelligence are overlooked. Therefore, it is important for us to realize that there are many other types of intelligence, such as musical, interpersonal, or natural, and it is worthwhile to focus on developing the ones that are most important to us. However, in order to be successful in one's field, one must devote time and effort to developing one's talent. Whether our interests lean toward the humanities or the sciences, it is worth remembering that talent is nothing more than a natural ability to do certain things, and developing it can give us great satisfaction.

You can check it yourself here: https://alis.alberta.ca/careerinsite/know-yourself/multiple-intelligences-quiz/ .