GTM Part 69

Conclusion to the Commentary on frustration

f.  And how do I find out what my innate potential talents are? Unfortunately, I don’t know of any way other than through exposure… a kind of trial and error.  This is effectively what our childhood is or at least should be about: the real     “discovery channel”; trying out as many activities and skills as our circumstances and interests allow; and as we grow older, through this hands-on exposure (many times with the guidance of a good parent), we quickly discover where our talents lie.

g.  Incidentally, this was the great wisdom of learning through the master-and-apprentice method.  The master, after just a couple of hours working with the apprentice, he could quickly tell whether the young student had any talent or future in that trade or art.  Even today, I have met a few young and wise university students who during their holidays, seek to learn through the master-and-apprentice method. And they try their hand in cooking and baking, at car mechanics, at art or music, and so on.  (This is the same wisdom at work when you seek to grow your own manliness under the mastery or patronage of a mentor, spiritual director, life coach or “big bro”.)

h.  Once you begin to get a clear idea of your talents and interests (hopefully they coincide), that’s when the so-called 10,000 hours clock starts ticking.

i.  Sometimes it may happen that your talents and time invested in growing them means that you will not be able to support yourself at all or well enough.  This is another source of frustration for many people: working at a job you tolerate because it pays the bills and having to relegate your talent and your passion for it to a mere weekend hobby.  But even here there are a few solutions.  One that comes readily to mind was proposed to me by my mentor, when I recently mentioned experiencing this kind of frustration. His suggestion: break down or analyse the job you tolerate, and figure out which component of it is most closely related to your talent.  Then focus on that one component as much as circumstances allow.

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