Motivation and Talent

The following comes from the 2/06/09 MAPP Newsletter:

The Relationship Between Motivation and Talent

Hydrogen and oxygen are distinctly different elements, but sometimes they combine to form water. Something similar is true for motivation and talent.

Motivation is what we LIKE to do naturally. Talent is what
we DO well naturally. They can exist independently, but when
they combine, they create something special. They create
motivated talents.

People often are naturally good at something (talented), but it
just doesn’t turn them on. For example, Heather is good with
numbers, but she doesn’t go out of her way to find tasks calling
for that talent. Most people have such talents. But then there
are those talents that we really enjoy using. These are the
motivated talents, and this is where the magic is.

We use motivated talents every chance we get. Most of the time
we don’t even think about it. For example, Larry has a motivated
talent for conversation, and he naturally engages both friends and
strangers in dialog. He doesn’t consciously determine to do so;
it just happens. It’s natural and unforced. He enjoys it, and
he’s good at it. That’s the hallmark of a motivated talent.

Motivated talents tend to be irrepressible. They find expression.
In fact, if you’ve ever tried to stifle a motivated talent (either
yours or someone else’s) it probably felt like you were trying
to hold two dozen ping pong balls under water at the same time.
Motivated talents pop out, even if no one else is asking for them.
And doesn’t that make sense? After all, it’s what we do well
AND enjoy.

Well then, wouldn’t the ideal job be one where you can use your
motivated talents daily and get paid for it? Absolutely! But
more on that later.

What are your natural motivations? Shouldn’t your boss know? You
can let him/her know by giving them a copy of you own MAPP Assessment.

Take the MAPP Career Assessment Free