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When we were children, we usually had no problem expressing and nurturing our talents. We tried new things, we failed and we succeeded. Our parents and teachers were there to encourage us along the way.
But somewhere along the line, many of us lose touch with our talents. We become afraid of failing or being embarrassed in front of others. We become self-conscious and start to believe that we're not good enough.
That's the hard part about transitioning out of the carefree world of childhood. Sometimes, our talents become casualties due to peer pressure, family obligations, lack of funds, and more.
I have an older relative that could make any clothing item by hand. She even got into the Fashion Institute of Technology in her youth, but for some reason didn't go. While she is still happy and fashionable, I sometimes wonder – what if she had pursued her natural talent for fashion as she intended?
If you met her for the first time today, you would think her fashion design skills were a “hidden talent”. Of course, there was nothing hidden about her fashion skills growing up.
With so many talent shows on TV today, it might make you think that everyone's talent is already out in the open – but that's not necessarily true. There are plenty of hidden talents out there, just waiting to be discovered – and monetized.
What Are Hidden Talents?
Hidden talents are abilities or skills that you have not yet had the opportunity to show or develop. They may be abilities that you haven't had the chance to pursue, or that you have been keeping hidden for one reason or another. In some cases, your hidden talent may be something you did not even realize you could do.
Some hidden talents are hidden because the person is afraid to fail or be embarrassed. Others are hidden because the person doesn't think they're good enough.
And still, others are hidden because the person has never had the opportunity to show off their talent. Whatever the reason, hidden talents can be a valuable asset – both to the person with the hidden talent and to those around them.
Your hidden talents can be anything from a knack for languages to a talent for working with numbers. They can be physical talents, like the ability to dance or play a sport. Or they can be mental talents, like being able to solve puzzles quickly or remember people's names.
Why People Choose To Keep Their Talents Hidden
Let's face it, sometimes people are mean. They might make fun of you for trying something new or for not being as good as they are. I still have flashbacks to high school gym class when I was constantly ridiculed for not being able to play sports as well as the other girls.
After those years of embarrassment, I am now getting the courage to try my hand at skiing and other sports.
People often choose to keep their talents hidden because they're not sure how to monetize them. They might be great at cooking or gardening, but they don't think anyone would pay them for it. So, they keep their talents hidden instead of pursuing them as a career… believe doing so might be a waste of time.
Lack of funds can also be a reason why people choose to keep their talents hidden. They may want to pursue a certain talent or skill, but they can't afford the equipment or training they need.
Even if someone can afford training, it may not be immediately accessible – at least that's how things were before the internet!
I always had a calling for wind instruments. However, I wasn't able to get one of the limited instruments available in high school. Years later, I began studying the flute as an adult and quickly took to it.
I sometimes think how this talent could have developed earlier if my high school had more instruments. While I am not a professional musician, I can now say I have a hidden talent of playing the flute.
Finally, some people choose to keep their talents hidden because they simply don't have the time to develop them. They may have a full-time job and family responsibilities that take up all their free time. Or they may have other hobbies and interests that they are passionate about and don't want to give up.
Whatever the reason, hidden talents can be a valuable asset to share – for you and the world! As we continue to advance in the world of technology, people can market themselves and their talents in ways that were not possible before. So why not take advantage of the ability to monetize your talents – or at least stand out from the pack.
And if you want to learn how to master a new skill, then watch this video:
41 Hidden Talents Examples to Help You Stand Out
As mentioned earlier, talent can be anything. You may have talents in areas that you never expected – or even knew existed! Here is a sample of hidden talents to help get your creative juices flowing, put money in your pocket, or at least help you stand out from the pack.
1. Wine Making
While having access to a huge vineyard is great, it is not a requirement for making wine. You can make wine from grapes that you grow in your own backyard – or even from store-bought grapes. If you have a green thumb and an interest in chemistry, wine-making could be a hidden talent worth exploring.
When it comes to alcohol consumption, wine accounts for about 60% of all global alcohol consumption. And the wine market is only getting bigger – it is expected to reach $287.7 billion by 2026. So, there is a demand for wine.
But with so many different types of wine on the market, it can be hard to stand out. This is where your hidden talent comes in!
If you are passionate about wine-making, you can use your hidden talent to create a unique product that will make you stand out from the competition. You can also use your hidden talent to create a brand for yourself – and your wine. Check out How Anyone Can Become a Winemaker – Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
2. Woodworking
Crafting beautiful furniture, sculptures, and other woodworking projects is a hidden talent that can be very rewarding – both financially and emotionally. There is something special about using your hands to create something tangible. And when you put your heart and soul into a project, it shows.
Not only can you use your hidden talent to create beautiful and unique pieces of art, but you can also use it to make a living. There are many ways to monetize your woodworking skills – from selling your creations online to working as a freelance carpenter.
Not only is woodworking a hidden talent that can be very rewarding, but it is also a hidden talent that can be very useful. If you have woodworking skills, you can use them to create custom pieces of furniture or to repair damaged furniture.
You can also use your hidden talent to help others – by volunteering to build houses for Habitat for Humanity, for example.
3. Event Planning
Are you the friend or family member that everyone calls on to host or plan their events? If so, you may have a hidden talent for event planning! If you have a knack for organization and a love of people, why not make money from it.
You can specialize in particular types of events like weddings, birthday parties, corporate events, or even bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs.
When you see the joy on people's faces as they celebrate a special occasion that you have helped to plan, you will know that event planning is a hidden talent worth sharing with the world. Learn how to become An Event Planner in 5 Steps – LearnHowToBecome.org
4. Dog Training
Do people make jokes about you being “Ace Ventura” or “The Dog Whisperer?”. If the answer is yes, it's time to get your paws out there and cash in. Dogs are America's favorite pets – and there are a lot of them!
In fact, there are an estimated 78 million dogs in the United States alone. Most of those dogs need to be trained for occasional kennel service.
Dog training is a great way to make money while doing something you love. It is also a great way to help people – by teaching their furry friends how to behave.
If you have a hidden talent for dog training, there are many ways to monetize it – from working as a freelance dog trainer to opening your own dog training business.
5. Personal Shopping
Do you have a gift for quickly finding the perfect gift for someone – even if you don't know them that well? Can you put together a capsule wardrobe in a flash? If so, you may want to add that to your hidden talents list.
Personal shoppers help people save time and money by doing the shopping for them. You should have a flair for trends, styles, and an eye for what suits each individual as well as excellent customer service skills .
There are many ways to monetize your hidden talent for personal shopping, from working as a freelance personal shopper, a stylist, or even starting your own personal shopping business.
6. Graphic Design
If you know Adobe Creative Suite like the back of your hand but didn't go to art or design school, this may be a gift worth pursuing. People and businesses need graphics for their websites, social media, product packaging, and more.
You can start by designing logos or webpages for friends or small businesses and then work your way up to bigger projects. Most graphic designers are freelancers, so you can work from anywhere in the world.
7. Comedy
It's never too late to become a stand-up comedian. If you've been told you're funny your whole life, it may be time to give comedy a try. There are many ways to get started in comedy, from taking classes to attending open mics.
Take advantage of social media like TikTok or YouTube and start posting videos of your comedy routines. If you're really good, you may even be able to make a living from your hidden talent. Comedy on social media can generate income from ads, sponsorships, or even offers to perform live.
8. Photography
Sure, anyone can take a photo but not everyone can take a great photo. If you have an eye for composition and lighting, photography may be your hidden talent. You can start by taking photos for friends or family and then move on to charging for your services.
Post photos on Instagram or start your own online magazine by starting with a simple website. Some major media publications still take submissions from freelance photographers, so don't be afraid to pitch your work. Take a photo workshop for more insight.
9. Writing
If you've always loved writing but never pursued it as a career, now is the time to start. With the rise of self-publishing and the popularity of blogging, there are more opportunities than ever to get your writing out there.
You can start by writing articles for online publications or blogs. Once you have a few clips, you can start pitching your own ideas for articles or even books. If you're really good, you may be able to make a living from your hidden talent.
10. Gardening
Don't underestimate the value of having a green thumb. If you love spending time outdoors and have a knack for growing things, gardening may be your hidden talent. You can start by growing plants for friends or family and then move on to charging for your services.
There are many ways to monetize your hidden talent for gardening, from working as a freelance gardener to starting your own gardening business. You can even sell your homegrown produce at a farmer's market or local grocery store. Take for more knowledge.
11. Fake an Accent
Are you good at imitating other people's accents? This hidden talent can be useful for more than just entertainment value. If you can fake an accent, you may be able to get work as a voice-over artist or even an actor.
Voice-over work is in demand for things like animated movies, video games, and commercials. If you're good enough, you may be able to make a living from your hidden talent.
You can also read e-books. Did you know the audiobook industry is booming? There are many opportunities for voice-over artists to get work reading e-books.
12. Play an Instrument
If you know how to play an instrument but never pursued it as a career, now is the time to start. With the rise of streaming services like Spotify and YouTube, there are more opportunities than ever to get your music out there.
You can start by posting videos of your playing on YouTube or streaming your music on Spotify. Some instrumentalists play in bands or as soloists at weddings and other events.
13. Make Weird Sounds
While this may sound like a kooky talent, don't rush to judgment just yet. Do you remember the Police Academy Movies? Well, the guy who made all of those weird sounds was actually a very successful Hollywood sound effects artist.
His name is Michael Winslow and he's made a very successful career out of making weird sounds.
If you have a talent for making strange noises, you may be able to find work as a sound effects artist. There is always a demand for new and unique sound effects, especially with the rise of digital media. You can also find work as a voice-over artist.
14. Painting
Some of the world's most renowned artists did not get started until later in life. Monet did not seriously paint until he was 40 years old. Then there was Van Gogh who created his largest body of work during the final two years of his life. So, if you've always loved creating art but never pursued it as a career, now is the time to start. Monetizing your hidden talent for art can be difficult, but it is possible.
One way to make money from your art is to sell it online or at local art shows. Check for calls for art on websites like CraigsList. Get extra creative and print some of your work on t-shirts. Some restaurants in big cities sometimes need murals or host work by local artists as well. Learn about art business to get started.
15. Do Impressions
Are you good at impressions of other people? This hidden talent can be used for more than just making your friends laugh. Some professional comedians specialize in impressions. The show Saturday Night Live is a perfect example of this.
You can start by posting videos of your impressions online. If you get enough views, you may be able to make money from advertising. You can also find work as a voice-over artist or comedian.
16. Cook
People need to eat, so there will always be a demand for cooks. This hidden talent can be monetized in several ways. You can start by cooking meals for friends and family. If they like your food, they may be willing to pay you for it.
You can also sell your cooking at local farmer's markets or start a catering business. Take advantage of the food truck craze and start a mobile eatery.
17. Handiwork
Are you good at fixing things around the house? This hidden talent can be very useful to people who are not so handy. You can start by offering your services to friends and family.
Once you have some satisfied customers, you can start advertising your business to the general public. Before you know it, you can have a thriving side or main business
18. Make up Games
Most of us made up games with our friends when we were kids. But, did you know that you can make a career out of making up games as an adult? Many game designers have done just that!
If you can put some technical skill into your game concept, you will be ahead of the competition. However, you can always pair up with an app designer who can bring your game concept to life. Once an app is created, you can upload it to the app store and begin making money.
19. Do Card Tricks
Card tricks are a hidden talent that can be used to make some extra money. You can start by performing for friends and family. Once you have perfected your skills, you can start busking in public places or working at private parties.
If you are good at card tricks, you may be able to find work as a professional magician. Entertainment companies are always looking for new and exciting acts to book.
20. Create Awesome Desserts
If you are not much of a cook but have a knack for baking mouth-watering desserts, don't hesitate to start sharing your treats with the world! You can start by selling your desserts to friends and family.
If they are a hit, you can start catering desserts for events or even open up your own bakery. You can ship your desserts nationwide or even start an online dessert delivery service.
21. Solve Puzzles
Solving puzzles is great for the mind – and the bank account! You can start by entering online competitions. If you are good enough, you can make a career out of competitive puzzle-solving. Some people even make a living by creating puzzles for other people to solve.
22. Give Psychic Readings
If you believe that you have psychic abilities, why not start giving readings to people? You can start by offering readings to friends and family. Once you have developed a clientele, you can start charging for your services.
You can give readings in person, over the phone, or even online. You may be able to find work with an entertainment company or start your own psychic reading business.
23. Read Tarot Cards
When people think of tarot cards, they often think of psychic readings. However, tarot card readings can be done without any psychic abilities. If you are good at reading tarot cards, you can start giving readings to people from anywhere in the world.
These readings have gained in popularity in recent years, so there is a good market for them. Take a peak on YouTube and you will see how many channels have sprung up reading tarot cards for horoscopes or simply for entertainment.
24. Do Calligraphy
Since people may use texting and typing more than handwriting these days, it means calligraphy is even more of a standout skill than years before. Many people are looking for someone to create beautiful calligraphy for their wedding invitations, party invitations, and even business cards. You can even design tattoos!
If you have a steady hand and an eye for detail, you can start offering your calligraphy services to people in your area. You can also create and sell calligraphy products, such as journals, mugs, and t-shirts on an online platform.
25. Public Speaking
Some people freeze at the thought of making a speech. Then there are natural-born orators like Martin Luther King, Jr, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Winston Churchill, to name a few.
If you have a hidden talent for public speaking, put it to use! Contrary to what you may believe, you don't need to be famous to be a public speaker. Many companies and events need people to give speeches or lead presentations.
If you are good at public speaking, you can start by giving speeches at local events. Online conferences may be a good way to get started if you are shy about speaking in front of large groups. You can also join a Toastmasters club to help you hone your skills.
26. Speed Reading
With the internet, we are bombarded with more information than ever before. Speed reading can come in handy when trying to get through all that information quickly.
While speed reading is not for everyone, if you find that you can read quickly and comprehend what you are reading, you can be efficient in other areas as well.
Companies such as Amazon and Microsoft have been known to give speed reading tests to applicants. If you can read fast, you may have an advantage over other candidates. You can also offer speed reading services to help people read through large amounts of text quickly.
27. Foreign Languages
If you are one of those people who can pick up a foreign language quickly, you have many wealth-generating opportunities at your disposal. There is a high demand for people who can speak multiple languages, especially if you are fluent in a language that is not commonly spoken.
You can start posting tutorials on YouTube or get clients on sites like Italki. You can also start a language exchange program to help people learn your native language while you learn theirs. Or you can just enjoy the fact that you speak an obscure language!
28. Use Numbers
If Math was always your strong suit in school, you can put your hidden talent to good use by becoming a tutor. You can start by tutoring kids in your neighborhood or online. Once you have a few students, you can start charging for your services.
You can also use your hidden talent for numbers to start a small business. Many businesses require people with strong math skills, such as accounting, bookkeeping, and financial planning.
29. Do Hair
Women (and sometimes men) spend a lot of money on their hair. If you have a hidden talent for doing hair, you can start your own business from home or rent a booth at a local salon.
As you start working with people, take tons of photos of your work to build up a portfolio. You can also post before and after photos on social media to attract new clients.
30. Use Your Flexibility
Can't you instantly do a split in jeans with no pain? If you have always been double-jointed or very flexible, you can put your hidden talent to use by becoming a contortionist. There is a high demand for contortionists, especially for parties and events.
You can also help people become more flexible by teaching them stretching and yoga exercises. Once you have built up a clientele, you can start charging for your services. Go for a specialty and get a yoga or Pilate’s certification to make yourself more marketable.
31. Restore Furniture
If you have a knack for refinishing old furniture, you can start your own business from home. You can find furniture at garage sales, flea markets, or even on the side of the road.
Once you have restored the piece, you can sell it for a profit. Take before and after photos or videos of your work during the process. If you make videos, you can host a DIY YouTube channel to show people how to refinish furniture themselves.
32. Singing
A great singing voice is a talent not everyone is blessed to have. Even though most of us think we sound amazing when singing in the shower. It can open the door to many possibilities if you can carry a tune with a great melody.
If you love singing, you can use your gift by joining a local community choir, singing karaoke night at your favorite hangout spot, or singing for your followers on social media.
A career as a singer can be very lucrative over time. You can take voice lessons to perfect your talent and perform in many different venues. Many singers get their start at a county fair, then on to nightclubs, and eventually, large stadiums.
Singing talent can allow you to share your amazing voice on music streaming platforms, reaching worldwide.
33. Drawing Sketches
You don’t need large sketch pads and specialty pencils to draw sketches. You can display your hidden talent for drawing realistic sketches on notebook paper, a napkin, or a post-it note. Drawing is a creative way to pass the time while displaying a skill that is sure to grab everyone's attention.
Talented sketch artists are in demand from the private sector to larger businesses and corporations if you want to use your skill for more than a hobby. The realism and attention to detail make great conversation pieces, and people are willing to pay handsomely for great work.
34. Eating Lots of Food at Once.
If you have a teenage son, I know he just came to mind. But this talent goes beyond a growth stage. Some people can eat a significant amount of food at once and don't seem to put on any weight. You look at them and wonder how they can eat so much food without getting sick.
This is a talent many find use for by competing in contests. There are competitions for eating many types of food, from pie eating to hotdog eating contests. This talent can also earn you free food at restaurants.
Many eateries serve large platters of food, and the person who can consume it all will receive a free meal, their picture on the wall and social media page. Not to mention other neat prizes and accolades.
35. Naturally Gifted at Sports
Can you run fast? Can you jump high? How is your hand-eye coordination? Being gifted in sports is something that is made evident in our lives as youth.
As we ran and played with our friends, our parents noticed how much faster and stronger we were than the other kids our age. When we try certain sports, we seem to catch on naturally.
Being naturally gifted at sports can open doors for college scholarships and professional careers if you work on refining your skills. Many professional athletes in one sport are talented in many others.
For most of us, being talented at sports is simply a gift that connects us to others and ensures that we're not the last ones to be chosen in a pickup game.
36. Leadership Skills
Some of us are just “natural-born leaders.” From a young age, we were influential with our peers and often took the lead on projects.
Though many are born with the talent, they may need to be coached and guided to maximize their abilities' full potential. Almost any organization offers leadership training, which can be beneficial to harness this God-given ability and to be helpful for all involved.
So, you're not just someone who takes charge but sets an example with your attention to detail, work ethic, and empathy.
37. Brute Strength
Have you ever seen someone who never lifts weights or exercises, yet they are as strong as an ox. Brute strength is a gift and ability that somehow gets snuck into the lunchbox of our natural genes.
Though this is an incredible talent, be aware that it will open a door for you to help all your friends and loved ones move from house to house. Or give you the more challenging assignments at work if you do physical labor.
38. Eye for Fashion
A trip to your local Walmart will give you the “not so shocking” revelation that not everyone has an eye for fashion. When you have a talent for it, you can harmoniously blend specific colors, patterns, and fabrics together to convey a particular image personally and professionally through your clothing.
You can use your good fashion sense to look taller and slimmer. You know just how to use style to send a powerful message to the world without even talking.
Having an eye for fashion could lead to lucrative opportunities to become a stylist. A late mentor and friend of mine had an eye for style. His gift led him to become a personal stylist for a well-known public figure.
He was in charge of the star's wardrobe while he was in the public eye on television, in the boardroom, and at public speaking events.
39. Talent for Gaming
Video games are no longer just a fun thing to do when the kids are indoors on a rainy day. It is an expensive hobby that keeps kids and adults entertained for hours. Some are natural when it comes to gaming.
And achieving record-breaking levels and overcome all obstacles of the game in the first few hours of playing.
Video games build a sense of community, and if you are a natural, you can connect with like-minded players through online gaming sites. The gaming industry can also be very lucrative.
Talented video gamers travel worldwide to try the latest games and compete in gaming competitions.
40. Balancing Talent
To some, balancing comes naturally. As a child, they were great at balancing themselves on one foot and playing hopscotch or a game of twister; beyond that, many began to harness those skills into ballet dancing, gymnastics, and cheerleading.
Balancing is a great activity to entertain your friends and loved ones by showing off your skills. But it can be profitable if you refine your skills and learn the art of acrobatics as a tightrope walker or a balancing juggler… especially if the skill seems to come naturally to you.
41. Teaching
A talented teacher is not defined as one who has college credentials; but someone who has a knack for instructing others and a skill for effectively communicating. Many are naturally patient, adaptable, efficient, and gifted at managing different personalities simultaneously.
You also enjoy seeing the look on someone's face when they gain understanding about a new concept or solve a complicated problem with your guidance.
Teachers demonstrate empathy, remain teachable themselves, and find joy in sharing their newfound knowledge to inspire others. It is widely stated that public school teachers are grossly underpaid.
But if that is your chosen career, you can have the satisfaction of leaving a lasting imprint on a child's life and summers off for vacation.
Though you may not be a teacher in a classroom full of children, you can be a teacher on the job as a trainer, in church as a Sunday School teacher, tutor, or public speaker.
Final Thoughts on Hidden Talents List
We live in a diverse world with people who have hidden talents in all sorts of areas. Some people may not even realize they have a hidden talent. One of the benefits of the pandemic is that it forced many people to stay home and find new ways to make money.
So many people tapped into those old talents in addition to gaining new ones.
Forget about those days in school or a past job when someone questioned or laughed at your hidden talent. Embrace it and let it shine. The world needs as much talent as possible in a growing creator economy.
You have a choice to either monetize it or use it to stand out from the crowd. With a little hard work, you can turn your hidden talent into a successful business. Get more insight about building skills by reading our article on 101 New Skills: Learn Something New.
And if you want more resources on how to learn or master new skills, be sure to check out these blog posts:
- 10,000-Hour Rule: A Simple Rule for Mastering a Skill
- Skillshare Review 2023: Is Skillshare Worth It?
- How to Use Deliberate Practice to Master a Skill
Finally, if you need help with building habits, then check out this nine-step blueprint that walks you through the entire process of creating lifelong habits.)
