TwoCents | TO THE GIFTED AMONGST US

Sometimes I ponder if the most gifted amongst us are truly happy or are the gifts curses in disguise. I like to think I'm part of the most gifted people on the earth. I can't walk on water or finish a ruby cube in 3 seconds but I can name over 5 unique things that may blow your mind. These things come to me easily and I dare say they 'chose me'. From running with ease, performing crazy backflips and cartwheels before i turned 10, writing, twisting my body parts, making weird sounds from my throat, singing, drumming, dancing, doing impressions of people, doing spoken words, and at one time attempting comedy! If you're not impressed it's obvious the heatwave has gotten to you!There are a tonne of people who have been able to harness their gifts and impact the world in different ways. I've come to terms with the fact that the beauty of a gift is in cultivating it. Working on it diligently to gain mastery. Having multiple gifts doesn't make you special because your results can still be mediocre. Yeah, that's the hard truth. There are doors your raw talent can open but it can't keep you in those rooms. That's where discipline and hard work come in.I'll always pick someone whose disciplined over someone who's just gifted. Remember the grass is greener when you water it. I'll advise you hone your gifts and by all means be memorable and visible. I learned this the hard way because I had the tendency of hiding my gifts and not showing it. Your gifts are not to bless only you. Before mastery comes practice. Yes people will criticize you and others will always praise you irrespective of the quality of your output. Take feedback as a ladder to progress. I've had people who I can bet have no clue about drumming walk up to me with suggestions. I took it not because i they said it nicely but because there's a bigger picture. Don't let pride shrink your vision. To those who have gained mastery of their craft, please beware of ease. You don't want to move from excellent to normal. Ensure that you seek more to remain relevant. Once relevant isn't always relevant! I feel like saying hallelujah! I think it's equally wise to redefine success particularly in areas that are saturated. For example, let's say you're a gifted writer, you should equally accept the fact that there are others like you and some are better than you. Now if you have decided to go all in, you must be weary of your conception of success. Your works may not reach a billion people but it can still change the world. Sometimes we look at people im our field and we get discouraged because we've not attained the kind of heights they've reached. Don't let such thoughts discourage you. One life changed is enough! Also, does it really matter if everyone knows us by our craft? Yes and no.For me, I believe we must leave this world better than we met it and that entails using our gifts wisely. Finally, your life is a template for others to follow. In the voice of David Goggins -'Stay Hard'!

Other insights from Samuel Ibok