When you set off the
process of developing your talents and it starts to attract attention, here are
some don’ts that should guide you.
1.
Don’t ever conceal it. Seek opportunities to
showcase your potentials at every given time.
2.
Don’t expect to start off as high income
professional; few ever do. Be content to begin as an amateur. Income should not
be your priority at the onset, as you ought to concentrate your effort on
fine-tuning your abilities and getting people to know your capabilities.
3.
Don’t be short circuited. To be short
circuited is to have false sense of having arrived when you are just unfolding.
Many talented persons get derailed just as their talent begins to shine. This
is often caused when young talent allows their talent to get into their head
and they lose focus of their ultimate objectives of developing their potentials
in to established professionals. Pre-mature satisfaction is a dream killer;
always aspire for a higher.
4.
Don’t be prodigal. You should not only
invest in your talent but reinvest the proceeds of your talents; this makes you
stable and established. Imagine for instance a young musician who employs the
proceeds of his amateur performance to buy a posh car when he has not yet
acquired musical instruments or recording appliances. Such a person may find it
difficult to achieve his potential. Unwise use of resources in the early part
of one’s career can make a journey of 1 year last 10.
5.
Don’t be the fool. Critically appraise any
contracts or deals that was attracted by your talents, there are so many
talent-scavengers who are dressed in suits and carry sweet titles as sponsors,
producers, investors, etc., you may need a lawyer (or a more experienced hand)
to help with unbiased and unemotional negotiations. Also history is replete
with cases of upcoming stars that killed off their dreams by engaging in activities
such as drugs, boozing and partying, betting and other activities perilous to
the actualization of their dream.
6.
Don’t be discouraged. The first work of many
musician of repute had in most cases once been adjudged unmeritorious and
unremarkable and turned down by their respective recording companies. The fact
that many of them turned into legends speaks volumes about the fact that there
is no finality to failure, failing simply means try again and bringing once
talent to a place where it brings in money often requires resilience, courage
and self-belief.
7.
Don’t imitate. You should try to give
yourself a distinct form of identity by inventing your own way of doing things.
Doing your things your own way gives you a personal symbol. Don’t be contented
with imitation, be different obviously you are, therefore don’t bury your
uniqueness in another person’s brand. Carve a niche for yourself by being an
ambassador of your own enterprise.
Finally, adapt technology
where necessary, no matter how good a person may be at doing something, if he
fails to keep up to date with modern trend, his skills may become irrelevant. A
person should be ready to imbibe all the positive changes dictated by science
and technology in his area of specialization.
Finally, we pointed out earlier that talent in
itself is never enough. John Maxwell in his book Beyond Talent enumerates
thirteen key choices that can be made to maximize any person’s talent. He said,
Belief lifts your talent, Passion energizes your talent, Initiative activates
your talent, Focus directs your talent, Preparation positions your talent, Practice
sharpens your talent, Perseverance sustains your talent, Courage tests your
talent, Teachability expands your talent, Character protects your talent, Relationship
influences your talent, Responsibility strengthens your talent, and Teamwork
multiplies your talent.
If you devote yourself to
all these and put your trust in God, you will be able to turn your talent into
profit.
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