Leadership Apprentice Week 1

Study & Learn 

• Your unique talents and abilities many times are so natural to you that they are invisible from your vantage point. For this reason we want to ask others who you trust and know you well to shine the light on what they think you do great at.
  
  The following exercise is meant to help you gather as much feedback possible from those you trust and know most to help you understand your strengths, your natural talents/unique abilities as much as possible. 
  
  
• Read through the script below, feel welcome to customize it if desired, and then email/text it to as many trusted family members and/or close friends as possible. Preferably send the email/text to at least 8 to 10 people you respect and know well. Remember many people you reach out to will want to take some time providing a thoughtful response so don't always expect a fast reply but do make sure to give them a clear deadline.
  
  
• Natural talent/strengths reach out email/text script:
  
  
• Hello (name),
  
  I am currently taking a course about discovering my natural talent(s), strengths and things I do really well. This course is based upon the belief that everyone possesses a combination of talents, interests, and capabilities that are unique to that person.
  
  I would really appreciate it if you would help me identify my own natural/unique talents/strengths by sending me as much detail/insight to the following question:
  
  What do you personally see as my natural talent(s)/strength(s) or things you have seen me do really well?
  
  You could describe my unique characteristics, the strengths you appreciate about me, what you have noticed about how I do things, what you can count on me for, or any other distinguishing features you see about who I am to you.
  
  I would be very grateful if you could respond within the next week or less if you're interested in helping me. Thank you for your support. I look forward to hearing from you.
  
  All the best,
  
  Your Name
  
  
  
• As you gather responses from people read through the responses and look for patterns in what people said. Examine the ways people chose to describe your natural abilities unique to you. Start a page in your commonplace book and label it "The Natural Abilities Unique to Me". From there list each person's name and identify the keywords or phrases they used that really hit home for you. Once you have gone through all responses, look back and take note of recurring words, phrases, or ideas. This will be vital information to use in our upcoming Week 2 exercises.
  
  

Know & Understand

1. Watch this 24 minute video, make notes, thoughts, questions about talents, gifts, etc.
• https://youtu.be/uBkGg3GMyW
  
  
2. Discover extra insight about your personality strengths and weaknesses by taking the free Jung Typology Test online and write in your commonplace book your personality type, your thoughts and feelings about the results. 
• http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp
3. Questions to ponder and document in your journal: 
• What are the differences between Spiritual Gifts, Talents, Natural Abilities and Skills? 
• How might your spiritual gifts help you develop your skills to bless the world?

Become & Serve

• Pray to your Father in Heaven and ask Him to help you understand your unique talents, gifts you should be conscious of. Counsel with Him and ask for revelation for how you can best use your gifts to bless people in this world. Record your inspiration, feelings and personal revelation in your journal.
  
  
• Discuss with your parents and/or friends the opportunity and blessing of getting your patriarchal blessing if you have not done so already. It's up to you of course if you feel it's the right time to move forward with this or not. At minimum have a discussion with your parents or someone who has their patriarchal blessing and discuss how this blessing has helped that person become more aware of the unique gifts given to him/her. Record your responses and feelings in your journal.