10 tips to make better use of your talents at work
Utilizing your talents while at work contributes to your personal growth and development, as well as to the success of the organization you work for. Often we take our talents for granted, can't properly name them or don't know how to use them effectively.
1. Discover your talents
The first step in leveraging your talents is knowing what they are. Take time to think about what your strengths are and what energizes you. Ask yourself questions such as:
- What do I like to do and do well?
- What tasks do I perform effortlessly?
- What do I often receive compliments from colleagues and supervisors for?
A personality or talent test such as Relfact can help you gain insight into your unique talents.
2. Ask for feedback
Feedback from colleagues or supervisors can help you recognize talents that you yourself overlook. Ask specifically about situations where you excelled or did something that made an impact. This can give you insight into skills you can develop further.
3. Set goals that match your talents
Once you know what your talents are, it is important to set goals that match them. Choosing tasks in which you can further develop your talents will help you stay motivated and work more effectively. Also, discuss these goals with your supervisor to get support and create appropriate opportunities.
4. Keep developing
Personal development is an important part of continuing to utilize and expand your talents. Take training, courses and workshops that match your strengths. By increasing your knowledge and skills, you can specialize and take on new challenges.
5. Take initiative
Don't wait for someone to offer you opportunities to use and showcase your talent. Actively seek out projects or tasks within the organization in which you can use your skills. By taking initiative, you show that you are proactive and willing to grow.
6. Communicate about your talents
Let your environment know what your talents are and how you want to use them. During performance reviews or team meetings, you can indicate which tasks you would like to take up. In this way, you not only make your abilities visible, you can also be given tasks that suit you better.
7. Learn to deal with challenges
Sometimes there are tasks that do not (directly) match your talents, but that are part of the job. See these tasks as an opportunity to grow and develop new skills. Combining talents with new challenges can lead to unexpected successes and personal growth.
8. Create a positive work environment
An environment in which you can utilize your talents often begins with good cooperation and communication with colleagues and your supervisor. When there is a positive atmosphere, you can talk openly about your needs and ambitions and there is room for open and honest feedback that allows you to grow again.
9. Keep work-life balance
Utilizing talents should not be at the expense of your energy. Ensure a good work-life balance to avoid overload and do what you enjoy, but not necessarily related to your talents. Take sufficient time for relaxation and reflection so that you stay energized at work.
10. Celebrate successes
Recognizing and celebrating accomplishments is an important motivator to keep going. When you have used your talents and this produces positive results, you can be proud of this and celebrate it. This helps increase your self-confidence and encourages you to use your talents more often.
