Doing what you’re good at
What are you good at? Everyone is good at something. Whether it’s crafts, sport, art, reading, playing an instrument or something else, it’s just a case of finding our talents and not being afraid to keep working and developing our skills.
When we get really good at something it makes us feel amazing. And it makes it a lot easier to bounce back from challenges and disappointments when we have belief in our own abilities. This page is here to help you plan to do more of the stuff that you’re brilliant at. Good luck!
Plan
Step 1:
Decide what you need to do to get started
Whatever your talent is you probably need to think about how you are going to make time to do more of it. Here are some ideas to help with your planning:
- If you’re struggling to think of something you already do that you’re good at, why not think about doing something you think you might enjoy? For example, have you seen someone on TV, at school, at home or somewhere else doing something you’d like to try? Find out more about how you could get into that and give it a go.
- If you need special clothes or equipment make sure they are ready the day before so that you are ready and raring to go on the day.
- Think about the timing of what you’re going to do. What day? What time?
- Who will you need to tell? For example, if you’re focusing on your football and football club is after school it’s a good idea to discuss it with your parent or carer so they know where you are.
- How could you get some extra help to try out your talent in different ways?
- Think about someone to chat to who can help you plan ways to do this, like your teacher, parent or carer or coach. Plan the extra help they can give you to get even better!
Make your move
Step 2:
Time to get moving
Pick something you’re good at and make sure you spend time doing it each week. It might help if you:
- Commit to doing what you’re good at at least once every single week, with a little goal for each time you do it. For example, if you enjoy reading, you could promise yourself you'll read a chapter every night.
- Show someone your talent. For example, if you enjoy singing, you could do a performance for your friends and family. It might feel a bit weird at first but it’ll make you feel good to show them something you’re really good at. Really!
- Get other people involved. For example, you could try sharing your skill or join a club. For example, if you get into crafts are there local craft groups you could join? You might make new friends and there will be people there to help motivate you.
- Try being a teacher and share your talent. Agree a learning goal with a friend and work out what you need to share. Break it down session by session. Focus on one outcome per session and set homework so they can come to the next session an expert!
Think
Step 3:
Take time to enjoy your talents
Talents come in all different forms. Just because you’re not a champion athlete or getting the highest marks in school, doesn’t mean you don’t have any skills. We’re all good at different things, such as:
- Sports
- Maths
- Helping other people
- Reading
- Singing
- Dancing
- Writing neatly
- Drawing
- Telling a good story
- Listening to our friends when they’re down
- Fundraising for charity
- Organising events
- Crafts
Being good at something shouldn’t make us feel embarrassed, it should make us feel happy and confident like we can do anything!
Use your journal or a notebook to write down when you do something you’re good at and then think about how that makes you feel. How does it feel to be good at something? What’s it like when other people praise what you do?
Learn
Step 4:
Time to push your talents
Making time for our talents is just the start. Now it’s time to push and take ourselves to the next level. Scary! But with risk lies reward. Just think how good you’ll feel when you’ve ramped up your skill.
Maybe our talent is something we only do at certain times and in certain places. Maybe our talent is just something we have to do all the time at school, like Maths or Science. Whatever is true for you, it’s time to learn from your experience so far and plan on how you’re going to take things to the next level. You can do it. Good luck!