Natural Ability

“The road to happiness lies in two simple principles: find what it is that interests you and that you can do well, and when you find it put your whole soul into it – every bit of energy and ambition and natural ability you have.”

John D. Rockefeller
1839-1937, Industrialist and Philanthropist

Most people work hard at success. They think they need to work hard to be successful. I still catch myself thinking the very same thing. We should spend more time doing what we love to do as opposed to the things we have to do. Do the things that come the most natural to us. Trust in our natural ability.

The thing is that most of aren’t doing this, but why?

Work Hard to be Successful

The problem is that we’ve been trained to think that success is hard work. And I think that hard work just makes you cranky and tired.

In my opinion true success is a measure of your progression towards an ideal outcome. And that outcome is achieved by taking consistent actions that are easy, effortless and fun; actions that come naturally to you; actions that utilize your talents and natural ability.

When I say you don’t have to do “hard work”, what I mean is that life doesn’t have to be a struggle before you become successful. Life is not a sequence of punishing events before you make it to the big show. You don’t have to punish yourself or put in long hard working hours before you’re successful. The truth is that success can be easy. You just have to let it happen.

I’m not suggesting that commitment isn’t required here. Working hard and being committed are two different things. What I’m saying is that you can achieve a worthy ideal and become successful by making it easy for yourself. Do the things that make you feel good about yourself. Do the things that come naturally to you.

Natural Ability

You see we’re all here for one reason and one reason only: to grow and expand as human beings. That’s it. Your expansion as a human being comes from expressing who you really are. And this expression will come easily and effortlessly through your natural ability.

Natural Ability is:

– An act of creative contribution that ignites you. It is easy, effortless, fun and produces the greatest good to those around you.

Start to think about what comes naturally to you. My mum is a phenomenal cook but she didn’t start out that way. She had a few blunders in the beginning but she also had some early on successes. It’s these successes that laid down the ground work to a greater and grander version of her.

Eventually she reached mastery levels and today she is a phenomenal cook. There’s no doubt in my mind that she is more than capable of writing her own cook book; she could even teach others how to become great chefs.

And that I think is the key to unlock your natural ability. You need to look for those areas in your life where you have noticed some success early on; successes that came to you easily and effortlessly.

Natural Ability & Writing

In December 2006 I met Lori-Ann Jackel who at the time was the editor in chief of Confidence Bound Magazine. We had never met before. During this time I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to do in life.

During our meeting I shared a story with Lori-Ann. She loved my story so much that she asked me to write an article for her magazine.

Before this I hadn’t written much at all. Actually, I hated writing and was terrible at it. I studied and practiced as an engineer for years. I was a math and science guy for the most part. I couldn’t understand why she would want me to write for her magazine.

I wrote that article in ten minutes. My mom proof read the article and said,

“When did you learn how to write? You were never any good at writing before.” ~ Mom

The article was published in Confidence Bound Magazine in 2007 and I’ve been writing ever since. You can read the article here.

This early on success really shocked me. I think it shocked me because it was so easy and effortless. I had never thought of writing before. It just sort of happened and so the story goes….

If you want to tap into your inner gifts, you have to look at your natural ability. You’ll get clearer by starting to think and ask yourself some questions. Here are some questions to consider.

Questions on Natural Ability

1. What are some of your current hobbies?

2. What do you do for fun?

3. What comes easily to you?

4. What are you naturally skilled at?

5. What do others think you are naturally skilled at?

6. If you had to teach something, what would you teach?

7. What do others think you could teach?

Questions no. 5 and 7 are great to explore with others. Use them as interview questions with your parents, friends, relatives, co-workers, or anyone that knows you. Ask these questions to see how you occur to others. This is a great way to uncover your blinds spots and your natural ability.

If you really liked this article, then you also might like: 3 Keys to Living a Purpose Driven Life

5 Comments

  • T Edwards

    August 16, 2008

    “Everyone has a gift that will allow them to make a way for themselves.” My mother always quotes a Bible verse that (roughly) says this. I believe it wholeheartedly. The sad thing is, most people go through their whole lives never having used their gifts properly.

    Talk to you soon

    T

  • Steve

    August 16, 2008

    And that my friend is my message,

    – to teach and inspire others to see and know what’s true for themselves….