Are you aware of the difference between learned and natural behavior?

We are all born with some talents. We all have some strength and we all have some things we really love doing. Usually, when engaged in activities we love, we kind of loose track of the time. We don’t have the need to count the hours and watch the clock. Sometimes we even don’t want to stop. We don’t need a break and some of us even loose the need to eat.

The focus shifts at school

Very often, we excel at things we are passionate about, and in other areas, we try to do our best. As kids, once we got into school, we very quickly got to learn, that in order to get into the high school or university we would like to (because we are so passionate about that topic), we needed to study very hard and be great at things we were not necessarily so passionate about. Many times in school, they started to put attention to areas where we were not so good. Teachers and parents tried to influence us to be better at areas in which we did not perform well. And all that only to be able to actually get into the right university.

However, spending time to improve areas where we don’t excel, is not the best approach and nowadays there is lot of discussion about whether we shall instead focus and support students in areas that they are really and naturally good at.

Being good at something does not mean you love it

So, as a result of focusing on areas I am not naturally talented and great at, I start learning and improving. I may even become very good in them. For example, taking myself, I am very good at planning and setting up a structure, keeping things organized etc. All my colleagues and people close to me know me as organized person, who “loves to plan”.

But it took me a few years to realize that this was not at all what I loved. And that was when one of my ex-colleagues recommended me an assessment tool that differentiated between natural and learned behaviors. That was quite eye opening. After that I studied a few other tools. There are actually really many nowadays. But anyway, what I learned about myself, was very helpful. It shifted my perception about my strength and I started to put more attention on areas where I can use my natural talents.

Why?

Because when I utilize my natural talents, my days are much more effortless. I feel like in a flow. Things go smoothly and when using my natural talents, I do it with more ease, I accomplish more and I feel more fulfilled, too. I don’t feel like wasting my energy trying to accomplish something. I don’t feel drained from energy that much, even after a very long working day.

Finding your natural talents might be surprising

So, what I learned about myself was, that being organized is actually learned behavior for me. Its not that I am really so structured naturally. It was learned behavior, helping me to actually survive busy days, schedules and to keep track of things, in order to achieve more. In fact, naturally I can be quite messy and not so organized 🙂

I also learned that I am a creative person. Really?  Well, back then, there was nothing creative in my tasks. I did not have a job in marketing or design or areas which we normally see as creative. And that is the problem. I was comparing myself to a very creative group of people and actually had a wrong benchmark group.

When I realized that and started to think what the activities are where I am creative, I ended up finding quite a few. Even just by paying attention to my cooking style. I never use recipes, I love improvising and trying out new ingredients and dishes. So, there were quite many proofs that I can be and like to be creative.

After realizing that, I started to do more activities that involve some creativity. And I realized that those tasks are very satisfying. They make my day more valuable. And its not that I had to change my whole career. I just added some activities which support my strength. And suddenly I reached a totally new level of satisfaction in my job than before.

Do you know your natural behavior?

How about you? Are you aware of your natural talents? What are the activities that make you feel “in the flow”? Would you like to work more effortlessly and have more fulfillment in whatever you do? Would you like to utilize your core talents and feel passionate about your work?

Send me an email to [email protected] and we will find it out together.

I will help you to become clear about your personality profile, your strengths and tasks which should be included in your daily work to make you feel fulfilled.