Knowing your Potentials
In our previous article, we saw that human potential could manifest as Linguistic, Analytical-Logical, Spatial, Personal, and Physical-Mechanical. All of us have all five potentials to varying levels. This article speaks about the Linguistic Potential.
“I’ll never get into medicine or engineering”, young Regina, a PCMB student said to her counsellor. “My Maths and Science marks are so bad, everyone says I’m good for nothing.” The counsellor looked at her marks cards and true enough, Regina just didn’t seem to be the Science type. But does that mean she was “no good”? That’s what everyone, including herself, seemed to believe! In fact, one of her teachers had told her that she was not “intelligent”. She and her counsellor began to talk.
Soon, the counsellor discovered that Regina was good at a number of other subjects. When in class 10, she enjoyed History and Geography. In Class 11 and 12, she scored an average of 95 % in English! Not intelligent!? Intelligence has very little to do with how good a person is at Maths and Science. Intelligence is seen in a variety of aptitudes and talent areas. Some may be great on the playing field, others may be good at design, and still others may be good with people, or with logic.
Regina was on her college debate team, she was excellent at elocution, she was a voracious reader, and she had been the student editor for her school magazine. Clearly, Regina’s highest aptitude was in the linguistic area. That is what she had a natural flair for. So what if she was not going to get that much sought-after seat in an engineering or medical college? There are plenty of other viable options open to her.
Linguistic skills reflect a person’s ability to use words effectively. I’m sure you’ve come across people who speak so attractively that you want to listen to them. This is the Linguistic Potential is seen at the level of speech. Teachers need it, Salespeople need it. In fact, most “people-based careers” (psychology, law, social work, personnel management) require the ability to communicate effectively through the spoken word. Linguistic skills are also seen in people who are able to communicate effectively through the written word. “Aha”…. is a nonword. It means nothing. Yet, a few years ago, this “word” sold millions of bottles of soft drinks in our country. This is the work of a copywriter… someone who is able to use linguistic skills very well in the written form. Copywriters, journalists, publishers, editors, poets, novelists, authors, are all people who have a well-developed Linguistic Potential, at the written level.
Take a closer look at yourself. Are you a person like Regina? Do you enjoy playing with words? Perhaps your forte is language. Maybe, it’s not medicine, engineering, computer science, and those other science based careers you should be planning for. Perhaps your career lies in that fascinating world where your words give life to ideas and concepts come alive when you put pen to paper.
How much your job will pay is an important question. But a question that is even more important is… what do you enjoy doing? What are you really good at? Choose a job that is linked to your aptitudes… success, money, fame, and fortune will soon follow
This article is a part of a series of articles developed especially for parents by The Promise Foundation through its Jiva Career Guidance Programme. For more information please contact Naushad Awadia who is a licensed Jiva Career Counsellor in your area at naushad_awadia@yahoo.com or write to us at promise@vsnl.com
