- D&C 46:10-12…. And again, verily I say unto you, I would that ye should always remember, and always retain in your minds what those gifts are, that are given unto the church. For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.
- “Continually ask yourself these key questions: ‘What am I really good at? What do I enjoy the most about my work? What has been most responsible for my success in the past? If I could do any job at all, what job would it be? If you won the lottery or came into an enormous amount of money and you could choose any job or any part of a job to do for the indefinite future, what work would you choose?” Eat That Frog, Brian Tracy, Page 69
- “Here’s the question: What is my unique ability? (There’s a special skill I’m gifted with. This unique ability, fully realized and put to work, can provide enormous benefits to me and any organization I serve.) We’re in search of the deepest essentials here; if you look into the essence of who you really are at the deepest level, you’ll find a unique gift you’ve been blessed with. That gift is your greatest contribution to the people around you. It’s the pinnacle skill of your working life. You can also use it to great benefit in your non-working life. (The ability is not unique in the whole world. There may be millions of people who have it. However, it’s usually unique in your particular circle or work setting.)” The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level (Gay Hendricks) Page 131
- “Do you know what your unique ability is? You may have discovered it already, but if you haven’t, I’d like to show you how to find it. First, let me share with you an image I like to use. Have you seen a set of those little Russian dolls? When you open the big doll there’s a smaller one inside it, and hidden within that doll there’s an even smaller one. Using that image, think of your unique ability as a skill within a skill within a skill. Here’s what I mean: your unique ability is usually camouflaged inside a larger skill you possess. You may not even realize that your unique ability is what is driving your success in applying the larger skill.” The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level (Gay Hendricks) Page 132
- “What’s even more disheartening is the way our fixation on deficits affects young people in the home and classroom. In every culture we have studied, the overwhelming majority of parents (77% in the United States) think that a student’s lowest grades deserve the most time and attention. Parents and teachers reward excellence with apathy instead of investing more time in the areas where a child has the most potential for greatness.” StrengthsFinder 2.0 (Tom Rath) Kindle Location 193-96
- “Yet it’s clear from Gallup’s research that each person has greater potential for success in specific areas, and the key to human development is building on who you already are.” StrengthsFinder 2.0 (Tom Rath) Kindle Location 201-2
- “When we’re able to put most of our energy into developing our natural talents, extraordinary room for growth exists. So, a revision to the “You-can-be-anything-you-want-to-be” maxim might be more accurate: You cannot be anything you want to be—but you can be a lot more of who you already are.” StrengthsFinder 2.0 (Tom Rath) Kindle Location 213-17
- “Most people think they know what they are good at. They are usually wrong…. And yet, a person can perform only from strength.” —Business guru Peter Drucker (1909-2005)
- “Instead, we’ve discovered that the most successful people start with dominant talent—and then add skills, knowledge, and practice to the mix. When they do this, the raw talent actually serves as a multiplier.” StrengthsFinder 2.0 (Tom Rath) Kindle Location 274-76
- “In many cases, simply being aware of your areas of lesser talent can help you avoid major roadblocks.” StrengthsFinder 2.0 (Tom Rath) Kindle Location 295
- “Our natural talents and passions—the things we truly love to do—last for a lifetime. But all too often, our talents go untapped. Mark Twain once described a man who died and met Saint Peter at the Pearly Gates. Knowing that Saint Peter was very wise, the man asked a question that he had wondered about throughout his life. He said, “Saint Peter, I have been interested in military history for many years. Who was the greatest general of all time?” Saint Peter quickly responded, “Oh that’s a simple question. It’s that man right over there.” “You must be mistaken,” responded the man, now very perplexed. “I knew that man on earth, and he was just a common laborer.” “That’s right my friend,” assured Saint Peter. “He would have been the greatest general of all time if he had been a general.” This story illustrates a truth that is, unfortunately, all too common. Far too many people spend a lifetime headed in the wrong direction. They go not only from the cradle to the cubicle but then to the casket, without uncovering their greatest talents and potential.” StrengthsFinder 2.0 (Tom Rath) Kindle Location 345-55
- D&C 46:10-12… And again, verily I say unto you, I would that ye should always remember, and always retain in your minds what those gifts are, that are given unto the church. For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.
- “Philanthropy is often defined as an effort to improve society, based on love of humankind. While philanthropy usually includes money, it is most meaningful when it comes from the heart and includes the contribution of time and talents” Remmer, “Raising Children with Philanthropic Values“
- “Daily we meet moments that steal our self-esteem. They are inevitable. Each day we are reminded that we don’t have certain talents, that we make mistakes. That we don’t excel in all things. And amidst all this, it is easy to believe that we don’t quite measure up in the great scheme of things, but are inferior in some secret way. Underrating ourselves is not only painful but is downright dangerous. For we limit the range of all possibilities. We are the offspring of Heavenly Parents. Created with great personal care. Our hearts, our souls & minds have potential beyond our greatest imagination. We can become anything we want if we just remember who we are & if we do not choke off our power by brooding over some small fault, or by feeling inferior.” – Paul H. Dunn
- “Elder Jeffrey R. Holland told of a young man who was the brunt of his peers teasing during his school years. Some years later he moved away, joined the military, received an education, and became active in the Church. This period of his life was marked with wonderfully successful experiences. After several years he returned to his hometown. However, the people refused to acknowledge his growth and improvement. To them, he was still just old ;so-and-so; and they treated him that way. Eventually, this good man faded away to a shadow of his former successful self without being able to use his marvelously developed talents to bless those who derided and rejected him once again. What a loss, both for him and the community!” Ensign, 2016, General Women’s Session, I Will Bring the Light of the Gospel Into My Home