I am in Senior Four but do not know what my talent is. How can I identify it? And isn't it too late to develop my talent anyway?

Brian

Every individual has a talent. Talents can be artistic, technical, social, physical or mental. One can be a talented introvert or extrovert. Learning to search for your talent is a brilliant idea and never too late because you are virtually attempting to explore your natural abilities and find the uniqueness about you regardless of age or academic status.

To ease the discovery process, you should first learn to stay away from routine and comfort zone. If you do the same thing every day, then most probably you won’t discover any new talents that you possess unless a coincidence happens.

Follow your obsessions. Use the things that you’re obsessed with to discover abilities hiding under the surface. Try out simple things and certainly those that are difficult. It could be public speaking, story writing, stage performances or sports activities. Face big challenges and find what it takes to be good at them and learn to keep track of the little successes encountered in the process which can connect to more significant abilities.

Pay special attention to what other people might have noticed about you. It’s common that others may have a keener sense of what you’re good at, that you probably couldn’t know. Therefore feel free to ask your family members, friends and teachers to help you figure out your abilities and nurture them into skills. At this stage, view your talent as a growing plant that needs, watering, weeding and care so that it grows strong and thus becomes fruitful. Practice and persistence have an amazing ability to discover and brighten talents.

Find other talented people. Identify your passion and surround yourself with likely talented people and model yourself after their behaviour and practice routines. The number of tries you offer to practice this skill, the closer you’ll be moving towards performing it perfectly. The most successful people in life are those that make good use of their God given physical and mental powers. Do this; you’ll be just on the right track to success.

The writer is a counsellor

YOU DEBATE

Marcel Sendanyoye

No it’s not too late to identify your talent. Remember some people’s talents are inborn while others are made, so keep trying out what you think you can do better. It might turn out to be where your talent lies.

John Peter Nahimana

It’s not too late to know where you are talented. You need to start consulting your teachers for advice and they will gladly help you. Atleast be rest assured that  every humanbeing is gifted in something.  

Innocent Niyonsaba

You are still too young to worry about not knowing your talent.Just lie on your bed and think about what you can do best. Also, consult your teachers and eventually you will know what your talent is.             

Emmanuel Karamira

So many people think talent can only be discovered from school but that’s not necessarily true. You can see how gifted you are even from informal interactions such as games and debates. Please give it a shot, it is not yet too late.