To  set down such choice experiences that my own writings may inspire me and at last I may make wholes of parts . . . Each thought that is welcomed and recorded is a nest egg, by the side of which more will be laid.

—Henry David Thoreau, journal entry for January 22, 1852

What better start to my own journal than this entry from Henry David Thoreau.  It is the perfect definition of what I want this to be for myself.

1/12/2018

"Begin by focusing on your most precious talent, your rarest gift, that task you do better than anyone else. 

Sometimes you have to ask others to help you identify it, because it’s often something that comes so naturally to you that you don’t even realize it’s something you’re good at. And search for clues to your gifts while you’re in “flow” states, those timeless, in-the-zone moments that engulf you when you are consumed by a task you love. 

Look for times when you practiced for the sake of practice alone or when you completely lost track of time—these times will often help identify a gift. 

Then start with small challenges where you can apply your gifts and actively revisit those flow states, and try it in a way that can ultimately help someone else. Because, for example, even a small first step that results in a satisfied customer can be a step toward mastery. 

And the best thing about mastering a skill, industry, or market is that eventually opportunities will begin to seek you out, because no one looks for a dabbler when an expert is available.

But remember: pursue something where you have some sort of a natural gift, one that brings you great joy, one where you lose track of the hours spent in it, and one where you would practice for the sake of practice alone. Why? Because the road to mastery is a long and trying one: it usually takes at least ten years and ten thousand hours of practice."

                                                    -Living Life as an Entrepreneurial Hero by Jeff Sandefer

This is probably the starting point for me.  As I read this, it struck me and I found myself internally asking me: What is my most precious talent?

What I have thought about so far is: motivating others, teaching others, profiling and engaging customers, working with others, enjoying the change of new tasks each day.

I have found myself thinking: I am not sure I have a easily defined talent.  It is more a general skill set.  I don't know if that means that I don't have a defined talent or if I just haven't realized what it is yet.

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