Slettestrand, Denmark. November 2013

«You are the books you read, the films you watch, the music you listen to, the people you meet, the dreams you have, the conversations you engage in. You are what you take from these. You are the sound of the ocean, the breath of fresh air, the brightest light and the darkest corner. You are collective of every experience you have had in your life. You are every single second of every single day. So down yourself in a sea of knowledge and existence. Let the words run though your veins and let the colors fill your mind.»

Last days I took part in a project in Denmark, where I met people from different  countries and I had the opportunity to share “life” with them.  Off course,  I became involved in a multitude of ways, as a member of a group, as a human with social and emotional needs, aiming to integrate myself in a new group of people and even a new “improvised culture”. That was a real psychological experiment  itself -. multitude of behaviors  isolated and products from social interaction, personality traits, roles, stereotypes, personal goals… -. How could I explain it? Close your eyes and imagine that You love the «cocktails», and just imagine that You are an expert doing «cocktails» … now You have a shaker empty between your hands,  and many essences, the best rum, fresh and exotic fruits and a «key» ingredient of each country. You dispose of ten days to discover an “unique taste”. – Be creative!

-. I didn´t need ten days to discover a great taste, mixing something from here and there… I discovered “TALENT”    (“Talent´s cocktail”)

I discovered there my interest about the talent development along life. I mean, what are the qualities  a person  needs to develop in order to become an active reflective and involved citizen and professional who achieves success in his/her life endeavors. I don´t mean to “academic ratings”, rather how to be prepared for the world which We will find ourselves.

According with the traditional view of intelligence, the talent  can be explained through the above average ability (executive functions brain) – planning, decision making, troubleshooting, ethical leadership («cognitive and effective functions»). So, I would like to point two traits directly related, «the task commitment and Creativity». – So, the academic intelligence is not enough!!

There is something more in “Persons that make the difference”-. Curiosity, originality, ingenuity, self-appraisal, passion, determination, self-discipline, faith, ethics, adaptability, personal productivity, personal responsibility, enthusiasm, values, positive work, teamwork, character, openness, self-concept… The creative productivity, the self-awareness, self-management, motivation, Empathy and Social Skills… ARE criterions for SUCCESS.

Analyzing the human existence, as a fact of continuous learning process, leading to shared meanings and the shaping of a system of values. «The Culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people»

Thank you for provide me all essences and ingredients needed for my» Talent Cocktail», and of course the motivation and the inspiration to write these words.

-. Are you ready «to make the difference»?