One of a Kind… for Better or Worse

Inside the book and game of CareerBall: When people become highly skilled at anything they were not forced to learn, they are probably expressing a natural gift. One person might learn multiple languages with incredible ease, while another person has very little ability to learn languages but possesses a gift for downhill skiing. Someone born with a collection of innate abilities has an easier time learning certain things, and they turn each progressive skill corner much more easily.

Each of us has already been dealt a very specific hand of cards by our genetic inheritance of talent and ability. That gives us a knack for playing a great game of lacrosse, tennis, or water polo… and, going forward in life, a fairly narrow range of roles in the working world that we can enjoy with natural ease and mastery.

But just as our DNA makes each of us a one-of-a-kind individual with abilities to do certain kinds of things easily and happily, that same DNA and can make other tasks seem like pure torture. Aptitudes you were born with are completely different from acquired knowledge, skills, and interest. Over your lifetime, your interests can change. You can gain new skills and knowledge. But your natural, inherent talents remain with you for your entire life; and for the most part, Mother Nature, doesn’t let you change them except to improve upon them.