Have you ever wondered if you’re using your natural talents? Or maybe you’ve caught yourself thinking, „There must be something I’m meant to do“. The truth is, many of us lose touch with what truly makes us come alive as we grow older. Life gets busy, responsibilities take over, and our dreams often end up on the back burner.
The good news? Your talents haven’t disappeared—they’re simply waiting to be rediscovered. This simple exercise is designed to help you reconnect with the things that bring you joy, energy, and a sense of purpose. Grab a pen and paper, set your inner critic aside, and have some fun!
Remember those days when you had to decide what you wanted to study? Somewhere along the way, we pass that same big question on to our children: „What do you want to be when you grow up?“ Children usually answer without hesitation. They dream big, speak freely, and aren’t worried about whether their ideas are practical or realistic. As adults, though, we often overthink the same question. Instead of knowing what we want, we feel uncertain.
In my experience working with clients, many people need to go back to the basics. We have to rediscover what we genuinely enjoy, what our natural talents are, and what truly makes us happy.
How many of us actually love what we do for a living? Probably not as many as we’d like. Most people do work that provides for themselves and their families—and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Providing for the people you love is something to be proud of and regard yourself to be successful.
But that doesn’t mean we should ignore the work that fills our hearts.
Many of us tell ourselves there’s simply no time. Sometimes, though, the real issue is that we’re not even sure what our talent is anymore. Our hobbies get pushed aside, life gets in the way, and before we know it, we’ve forgotten the things that once excited us.
So how do you discover your talents?
Here’s a fun exercise you can do on your own or with friends. The only rule is this: leave your self-judgment and doubt at the door. There are no wrong answers.
Set aside about three minutes for each question and write whatever comes to mind.
- When did you feel truly alive?
Think back over your life—even as far as your earliest childhood memories.
When did you feel peaceful, joyful, free, or completely absorbed in what you were doing? Even if that feeling only lasted a few minutes, it counts. What were you doing that made you feel so alive?
- What do other people dislike that you secretly love?
Think about tasks that your friends complain about, but that you actually enjoy. Maybe someone once said, “I could never do that,” while you couldn’t understand why.
Also think of moments when you watched someone miserable doing a job and thought, „I’d actually love doing that.“ These moments often reveal hidden talents.
- When have you made a difference in someone’s life?
Think about times you’ve helped someone, encouraged them, solved a problem, or simply made their day a little better. The impact doesn’t have to be huge.Then ask yourself: „How would I love to make a difference in the future?“
- What did you love doing as a child?
Children naturally follow their curiosity. What games did you invent? What activities made you lose track of time? Don’t dismiss anything because it seems childish or unrealistic. Write it all down.
- Who do you admire?
Think of people you’ve admired throughout your life. They could be family members, teachers, public figures, fiction characters or someone you know personally.
What is it about what they do that inspires you?
It doesn’t have to be their job. It could be the way they help others, create beautiful things, teach, lead, build, encourage, or make the world a better place.
- Who are you jealous of?
This one requires honesty. Is there someone whose life makes you think, „I wish that were me“? Or perhaps someone whose success secretly annoys you? Sometimes jealousy isn’t really about the other person. It’s a clue pointing toward something you deeply desire for yourself. Maybe they are using a talent you’ve always wanted to develop.
Instead of judging yourself for feeling envious, get curious. Ask yourself what that feeling is trying to teach you. You may discover a tip of an iceberg.
- What are the qualities you dislike about yourself?
Now flip them around. Maybe you think you’re a workaholic. That same drive, when balanced, can help you achieve incredible things. Perhaps you’re overly enthusiastic. That energy can inspire others. Maybe you think you’re lazy. Your natural calmness could be exactly what stressed, high-achieving people need around them.
Or maybe you struggle to finish projects. Perhaps you’re a visionary who loves starting ideas and inspiring others to help bring them to life. Sometimes our greatest strengths are simply misunderstood.
Don’t worry about writing the “right” answers. Write the first thing that comes into your mind—even if it surprises you or seems ridiculous. I believe there’s something valuable hidden in every answer, especially the ones we almost don’t write down.
Somewhere on those pages is a clue to the work that makes your eyes sparkle.
And if the answer doesn’t become obvious right away, don’t panic. That’s completely normal.
Thinking harder won’t necessarily bring clarity.
Action will.
Try volunteering. Sign up for that art class. Learn a new skill. Start the small project you’ve been putting off. Say yes to something that excites you, even if it feels a little scary. Too often we talk ourselves out of trying because we overanalyze every possibility. That’s when fear and doubt sneak in.
Instead, say a quick prayer, take one small step, and trust the process.
You’ll know you’ve found one of your talents when it feels like something you were made to do. It won’t always be easy, but it will make you happy more often than not. It will give you energy instead of draining you.
And perhaps most importantly, it will bless the lives of others as much as it enriches your own.
