The Nurturing of Talent, Skills and Abilities

Book excerpt: We are all born with the propensity to achieve, succeed, and thrive in our endeavours. We have certain skills, talents and abilities that can be nurtured, shaped, formed, and encouraged. The human species has a vast number of these talents, skills and abilities, and it remains a wonder as to how some individuals reach the pinnacle of perfection with their skills and talents, and why others remain simply mediocre. This book examines and explores the development of many realms of talent. We are privy to the domains of art, music, chess, and thinking. We explore and examine mathematical thinking, philosophical thinking as well as scientific thinking. The realms of the novice as well as the expert are explored and examined by some of the foremost thinkers of the current time period. This book brings together leaders in their respective fields from around the world to promote the skills and abilities that permeate their respective fields. Certain specific realms are also explored -- the game of chess -- the game of kings with innumerable moves, and sophisticated strategies is examined. The "magic synthesis" of creative thinking and metaphorical thinking, synthetic thinking and analogical thinking is also reviewed. Certain graduate realms are also reviewed. The training of graduate researchers in the development of hypothesis testing, reviewing literature, and learning methodology and the appropriate statistical methodology is also explored. And some interpersonal realms as well as intra personal domains are explored. Specifically, the training of the individuals that we know as "counsellors" is explored followed, by the domain of written expression. Also explained is the art of being able to communicate eloquently, in a sophisticated manner, energising, enervating and motivating others through the written word. This is the realm of talents, the domain of skills, and the area of abilities. We are all born with these propensities. However, bringing them to fruition is another area of concern, and exploration.