Seven Things To Learn About Talents.

Talents have life span, some can live within us till we die while others have a certain period of time before they become obsolete. On the other hand talent can be discovered in you at any age or stage depending with many factors from either social, economical or environmental exposures. One of my talents was playing soccer which I realized after being exposed into the soccer scene at an early age by my late father who was a great sportsman (he played hockey and soccer) and later in life nurtured by Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) from the age of 12 years. At MYSA I was lucky to be chosen to participate in Norway cup in 1997,98 and 99.

Norway was a life changing experience but at the same time raising anxiety of the unknown future especially in soccer which in Kenya isn't at the level of Norway. I developed big dreams and passion of playing for professional clubs abroad and even though I did achieve a lot from the local scene during my prime days many other things didn't come to pass in achieving my big dreams especially playing for professional clubs. At some point the energy, passion, dreams and talent expired and diminished in thin air either because of factors like frustration, disappointments, injuries, no pay, career prospects, age, new opportunities etc.

One thing I have come to understand about talents they come with expiry dates attached to them. So if you discover a talent in you take note of the below seven points;

1.  Nature it by learning other skills. 
2. Get a mentor to walk with you through the journey. 
3. Monetize it by thinking of business model ideas around your talent. 
4.  Allow yourself to learn and grow at your own pace as you study your competition. 
5. Plan ahead, what else can you do once the talent expires. 
6. Talent is in born while a skill can be learned. So spare time to learn about self and strive to be the best version of YOU. Learn your peak and low seasons etc. 
7.  Understand your talent and place it within an ecosystem. You can't work in isolation no matter how unique your talent. Think if it's within sports, creative arts, training delivery etc