Most of us have so many strengths and talents that can be used to do any number of things in our lives from living a more passionate and purpose-filled existence to literally improving our income and salaries – even on our jobs. Here’s a simple question.

Have you given any thought to maximizing your strengths and promoting your talents at work?

For instance, If you have sharp research or analytical skills, have you sought to apply those skills to your current job?

Now I know this sounds crazy to literally ask for more work when you are probably already overloaded in your current profession, but the truth is, any assistance that you can provide nowadays – especially in this uncertain economic climate, will ultimately help you advance in your present position or in a future one.

You have gifts and talents to offer the world, and in many cases, your current or potential employer desperately needs to use your talents and strengths – especially since everyone today is focused on increasing revenue.

Here a a few suggestions…

1. Discover Your Hidden Talents…
If you never spend the time learning about yourself and what your life offers others, you are working from a position of weakness in your life, business, and career. That simply means that the persons around you who know what they are great at doing and can sell themselves – will always have a clear advantage over you so…

(a) What are your strengths and weaknesses?

(b) How can you capitalize on your strengths and improve your weaknesses?

(c) Can you enhance your strengths and dissipate your weaknesses by learning on-the-job or by taking additional classes or training?

2. Promote Your Talents Within…
If no one know what you are capable of, it is much more difficult for opportunities to be passed across your path, so…

(a) Once you have an analysis of the talents you have to offer, start promoting them. If you don’t share them, then no one will.

(b) Talk with your boss about helping out the team. Your pathway to the top is by being someone who can be counted on.

3. Take Action – Nothing happens with decisive action…
(a) After you tell your employer about your hidden talents and your ideas for using them, you must live by your words. Remember your integrity is at stake and that means something.

(b) Using your talents is not a one-day project; it is a way to live and work more effectively every day. So go out there, and put your talent to work!

It may be hard to focus on your talents when the world around you is so uncertain. Put your worries behind you, and your best foot forward. You can be proud of your effort no matter what happens.

This current climate we live in today is an ever changing landscape of shifting wealth, job cutbacks, layoffs, housing problems, and an all around environment of uncertainty.

There are so many different reasons today why people find themselves out of work, termination or in forced retirement, that it is unbelievable. Looking for another job in a tight job market can almost seem like an exercise in unavoidable failure and many times, you may just want a supplemental income to help cover the mountain of bills.

Now, I’m going to make a statement that may sound confusing to many of you – but pay attention, and you’ll see the value in what I’m saying. This is one of the best times to expand your life and seize the countless opportunities that are available.

The simple solution is that you need to put your strengths and skills to work more than even in these time – and do it effectively for maximum results…and the problem is, since many people don’t know how to do this and even where to begin, they feel stuck and helpless.

So let’s address this and give you some usable ideas so you are no longer stuck or feel helpless – are you ready? I’m going to ask you one simple question as professionals – now it does not matter whether you are the CEO of your own business or a stay at home mother of five – all of this applies to you regardless of you vocation.

Suggestion #1 – Why not take what you learned over the years and offer your services as a freelancer?

Whether it is writing, designing or consulting, there is a growing base of companies that need help, but cannot afford to hire a full-time person. They also may not need full-time help and can use an extra hand, or mind, during seasonal explosions in business. Retired executives are in demand as management consultants to help fledgling businesses learn from professionals who have been there and done that.

If you give it enough thought, there will be hidden talents that you used in your previous jobs that can be beneficial to another company, even if on a limited basis. This can be especially helpful for someone who recently retired and may just want a reason to get out of house. Or, if it’s raining and they can’t play golf.

Previous retail managers, for example may be able to help with store sets or with inventory control. Depending on their strengths in their previous work history, they can put those strengths as a consultant to new retailers. Small operations tend to shoot from the hip when looking at their product mix and an experienced operations or merchandising manager can offer them help to improve per-visit sales by their customers. Not everyone who owns or operates a retail outlet, or even an internet store, has the marketing savvy needed to increase customer sales.

Getting customers into the store can be another possibility for a former ad executive, or even someone who work in the advertising department of the local newspaper. If you have experience designing prints ads, many companies may be able to use your experience on a contractual basis. When they need a new ad, you can put it together for them, get paid for your work and move on to the next contract.

Everyone develops experience of some sort when they work and taking stock of your experience asset can be a plus in finding work, or even starting your own home-based business.

Take some time and asset your talents. Write them down on a piece of paper. You will be pleasantly surprised at the opportunities that come up as you brainstorm. Once you have identified your skills, hone in on the ones that you enjoy the most. You will be most successful when you pursue your passion.