Talents that feel natural often get suppressed or ignored by school, work, or life pressure. Naming them puts energy back into your day and points you toward work, hobbies, and relationships that fit.
Scan the 11 areas we use in this course (logic, language, digital, visual, music, nature, movement, interpersonal, intrapersonal, teaching, spiritual). Circle as many that feel like you, then focus on three to develop first.
If you’re struggling to choose, ask 3–5 people who know you well:
“When you rely on me, what do you expect me to do well?”
For each of your three talents, write a short note:
Where it showed up (childhood, school, jobs, side projects).
What you actually did (verbs: explain, calm, organize, design, perform, solve).
Why you used it (what felt rewarding or meaningful about it).
Patterns here confirm the talent and suggest where to aim it next.
Ask: “What is one small step I can take this week to feed this talent?”
Keep it ≤10 minutes so you actually do it.
Examples
Music → 10-minute ear or rhythm drill; record a 60-second idea.
Visual → storyboard three frames for a slide; clear one visual surface.
Interpersonal → send one specific appreciation; practice a clean request.
Logic/Systems → turn a messy task into a checklist; sketch a 3-step flow.
Teaching → write a 4-step mini-guide and test it with a friend.
Schedule the rep. Repetition beats intensity.
Look across your areas of life—home, friendships, health, learning, work. Where does each talent already have a place? Where is it absent?
If a strong talent isn’t present in your job, ask why—and how to insert a micro-use of it this month (a task, a project, a 10-minute contribution).
If a talent is overused at work and underfed elsewhere, give it a fun outlet (club, class, hobby session).
After each tiny rep, jot one line: “Energy after [talent] = −2/−1/0/+1/+2.”
Keep what gives a positive after-glow. Adjust what drains you (often it’s the method, not the talent).
Which three verbs best describe you at your best?
Where did this talent help someone recently (proof you can repeat)?
What 10-minute rep will you schedule today?
You don’t need to be good at everything. Identify the few talents that make you feel most alive, practice them in tiny ways, and let them guide how you spend your time. Talents point to purpose—and small, steady reps turn potential into results.
— Sandro Formica, PhD
Founder of Permanently Happy (questions at [email protected])
Keynote Speaker | Transforming Leaders & Organizations Through Positive Leadership & Personal Branding | Director, Chief Happiness Officer Certificate Program
