Realizing the Depths of Your Own Talents.

​Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

Every now and then I surprise myself. 
In a good way.

The kind of way that opens up channels, and brightens unknown lights inside my mind and spirit.
As if  I'm walking into a dark cave where the fog clears and I can clearly see what is inside.
Perhaps the cave appears without light, without air, and like a deep vacuum at first.
But then, shapes on the wall become clear. The cave drawings that were always there start to take form.
All of a sudden there is electricity wired inside the craggy tavern, and the best decor is already staged.
I sit down in a comfortable designer chair and find a cappuccino already made for me (with soy milk, of course).
I'm happy, content, and ready for change.

This is how I felt recently when I started applying for jobs outside of higher education. The shift away from teaching arts and media in academia has been one that brewed for a long time. Actually, probably for longer than necessary, but lasting changes take time. Just like eating well, taking care of oneself, and developing positive habits, permanent change (delightful oxymoron) takes effort, action, and consistency. 

The act of change can also mean discovery. This is another aftereffect that I've felt personally. I've discovered that all of the talents I was taking for granted, are the ones that will actually propel me into my future. For example, in my world of higher education, I was tasked to do my own marketing, public affairs, recruitment, event sales, manager duties, administration, and so on. These skills that I've picked up are now furthering my career more than my training as a professional dancer ever did. That training does carry forward, but in ways that I couldn't have predicted. I crave success (stage time), teamwork (being in a dance company), health (physical fitness), and creativity (art-making).

What talents are waiting to be revealed to you? What happens when you start digging deep into the hard and soft skills that you have been accruing throughout your career? Head into the cave and let the lights come on.