We all have that one thing we’re naturally good at without taking lessons or training. It could be writing, inventing or designing. As children, we must have thought we would grow into a specific profession because of our peculiar skills. I, for instance, thought I would end up studying literature.
But the thing is, sometimes, we end up in a completely different course not related to that skill, but that does not mean the skill should be left to die.
There are a lot of successful people who do not use their degrees. Take the popular Nollywood actress Funke Akindele, for example. Unknown to most, she studied law at the university but pursued acting as a career, and I would like to believe she’s more fulfilled as an actress than she would have been as a lawyer.
You should not give up a talent because it seems irrelevant in your current educational path. Especially in this era where having a degree is simply not enough. I can already guess your next thought: How can I develop my skills? Or why should I bother developing something I’m good at?
I used to think I was a Nobel prize writer material until I ventured deeper into the world of writing; it was then I discovered how little I knew. My experience taught me the difference between having innate talent and being Nobel prize material is Skill development.
It is a process of improving your skills and talents to the best version they can be; it is a continuous process, seeing as the world is ever-changing and the need to improve is becoming rampant. So, how exactly do we develop a skill?
Here are a few general tips applicable to several areas:
Have a network of People in the Same Field:
When developing a skill, connecting with people in the same field is essential. They do not have to be professionals, but they must share the same passion for the skill to help each other build and stay accountable. Having mentors or people you admire in the same space also goes a long way.Researching about the skill:
You can also study the skill and ways to improve it. The internet has become a place with easy access to information libraries that can help develop skills. Platforms like YouTube, Coursera, and Udemy have banks of courses on many topics and skills.
Practice makes Perfect:
Practice is key to perfecting any skill. When you learn something new, you should always practice because this helps solidify the knowledge in your brain. Remember, giving up is never an option.Participating in Skill Development programs or clubs:
Participating in programmes relating to the skill you wish to develop is also very efficient. It could also be a club consisting of people with similar interests, like the Hebron Start-Up lab, where you can meet people with similar interests, learn new things and make meaningful connections.
These are only a few ways a skill can be developed. There are many other ways to go about it. The primary key to developing a skill is not giving up; no matter how hard it may get, keep pushing till you achieve your goal.
Conclusion
Skills are talents given by God not to be wasted but to be developed, and He made sure to put something in every man, so make no excuses and start growing your skill today.
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