BE KIND TO PIGSMany of you have probably heard wise admonition: "Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys pig."
The pig just doesn't have that aptitude.
A human example: Don't try to teach some people to have short-term goals. You are wasting your time and really annoying them, or worse yet, making them feel inadequate about their own style of goal-reaching. More about that later.
One size does not fit all. A few years ago I was fortunate enough to take Johnson O'Connor aptitude test. The testing was in one of several non-profit Human Engineering Laboratories around United States. I learned of aptitudes I did and did NOT have. Aptitudes of which I had never known before.
Over years, I have watched many people go to Laboratory for testing. I was delighted as I saw what happened when people learn new things about themselves.
NOW I SEE: THIS IS ME
The people returned from testing very happy to know more about their strengths and challenges. They learned why one career might be easier and more fulfilling than another. They were able to make better choices and see why it had hurt when they were trying to force themselves into professions that did not fit.
It is painful to be a square peg in a round hole.
Discovering our aptitudes through any method supports our mental health. Knowing our aptitudes is our right and our responsibility. If a person has a strong aptitude, they will often feel a restlessness or anxiety when not using it. We are given our gifts to use!
MAKE MUSIC YOUR OWN WAY
More about goal-setting: A person with a strong aptitude for foresight (as Johnson O'Connor calls this gift) usually does not achieve their goals by following those goal-setting plans we read about in so many books and articles.