HOW TO SUCCEED WITH ZERO TALENT

When we talk about talent it is common to think of famous singers, sports players, and people in the public spotlight. And as I prepare my fourth child for adulthood, I have been contemplating what skills I want him to work on and what behaviors he needs to focus on to get ahead in life. And I have noticed some deficits in my own life that I want to work on alongside him. So what skills will set you apart from others? It is not always just raw talent. Sometimes it is the little things that have propelled people to greatness. I will never ever be a famous singer. In fact, I don’t have any real raw talent. I am not even great at anything. But I am good at a lot of things. But being good doesn’t get you noticed. Is it possible to succeed with no talent?

There is a list floating around of 10 things that require zero talent that can propel you to success, and many people have their own versions. I have made my own list of the qualities I think make a successful person. I have omitted some things found on other lists, but I have added in a couple that I think are more important. You can make a difference in your life and the lives of those around you by adopting these ten items. 

Adopt These Ten Behaviors to Succeed with No Talent

After looking at the list, you may think, “I can’t do all of these at once.” Maybe you can’t, but you can begin to work on one at a time until you master them. And when you are done mastering these items, you may find that you have real talent! 

BE KIND

If you don’t know how to be kind, learn how! This to me is the number one trait in a person I want to be around. You can be kind and good at what you do. Dale Carnegie’s book How to Win Friends and Influence People has been around since 1936. It still is a best seller. If you don’t know how to treat people kindly, it will affect every area of your life.

BE PASSIONATE – LOVE WHAT YOU DO

Love what you do. If you don’t like what you do, find the thing you do love and figure out how to do it. When you have a passion for what you do, you automatically have a great attitude about it. That enthusiasm will shine through in everything else you do.

ADOPT A POSITIVE ATTITUDE

Everyone wants to be around people with positive attitudes. Think about the people at work or in your circle of friends. These are the people everyone wants to hang out with. What sets them a part? Many times it is a positive attitude. Sometimes it is hard to be cheerful. I get that. You are going through something painful, but save those painful moments for close friends and put on a happy face. This positive attitude becomes contagious. In fact, you will start to like being around yourself more!

BE ON TIME

You know the saying, “The early bird gets the worm.” Plan to be early – not just on time. Be early for job interviews, presentations, dates, meeting for coffee. Be early to turn in work assignments. You will have the reputation of dependable and someone that others can count on. 

WORK HARD

Work hard at all you do. Don’t just do the minimum to get by. My daughter had someone work on her car. When it was returned, the young man working on the car had taken the time to clean out the interior for her. This extra step set this mechanic far above his peers. Take this step and you will be known as a hard worker who gets the job done and does more than is expected.

OWN UP TO YOUR MISTAKES

Fresh out of college, I was working in a doctor’s office. I was in charge of typing medical reports for attorney’s offices. Not every attorney was charged the same amount. I was trying to get two reports out before the mailman came. After typing up the reports, envelopes, and invoices, I only managed to get copies made of one before the mailman came. And then it hit me. I had stuck the wrong report in the envelope. I immediately went to the doctor and told him what I had done. He called the attorney and explained the situation. They returned the wrong report without the envelope being opened. If I had ignored the mistake and waited for the attorney to find it, the results would have been diastrous. Was I scared to walk into my boss’ office, and say “I screwed up?” You betcha I was. But it saved a major mistake from becoming a disaster. Plus BONUS POINTS – my boss knew he could count on me to be honest about my work. 

LEARN TO WORK WELL WITH OTHERS

I can be kind. I am passionate about my work, but as an introvert, working with others has been harder. While I want close work associates, I also desire to work alone. Most of my jobs have been working independently in a cubicle, and that was fine. But many jobs require some degree of collaboration, and learning this skill will propel you to the top! 

BE A PROBLEM SOLVER

Ever work with the person who constantly gives reasons why things will fail or can’t be done. That person is an enemy to business. No matter what the problem is, the solution becomes even worse. Do.Not.Be.This.Person! Be the person who comes up with solutions. This doesn’t mean you always get credit for your problem-solving. But this is a talent that is sought after. Cultivate it. 

BE AN ENCOURAGER

Every good organization needs an encourager to help push them through hard times. I will admit that this becomes harder for me depending on the weather. Today is gloomy, and I become like Eeyore. I have to actively work on being an encourager to others on days like this. But encouragement has a contagious effect. Lifting others up helps to boost your own mood.

EMBRACE THE UNEXPECTED

Crap Happens. And Things are always changing. We all know that Plan A rarely works. Talented people embrace Plan B or C or D. And those talented people understand that change is inevitable. Allow for the unexpected and prepare for changes.

Kindness – Passion – Positive Attitude – Dependable – Gets the Job Done – Does More than What’s Expected – Owns Up to Mistakes – Works Well with Others – Problem Solver – Encourages Others – Embraces the Unexpected

This list doesn’t require talent, a college degree, or special training, but it does require hard work on your part. Become the person that you want to be around and set the world on fire! And for more tips on Success, check out Advice to Help You Land the Job You Love by Vera Sweeney.