--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When we're able to put most of our energy…" description: "\"“When we're able to put most of our energy into developing our natural talents, extraordinary room for growth exists. So, a revision to the \"You-can-be..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/498/tom-rath-3501_growth_when-we-re-able-to-put-most-of-our-energ_1684989.jpg" --- # When we're able to put most of our energy into developing… ![“When we're able to put most of our energy into developing our natural talents, extraordinary room for growth exists. So, a revision to the "You-can-be-anything-you-want-to-be" maxim might be more accurate: You cannot be anything you want to be—but you can be a lot more of who you already are.” quote by Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/498/tom-rath-3501_growth_when-we-re-able-to-put-most-of-our-energ_1684989.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/498/tom-rath-3501_growth_when-we-re-able-to-put-most-of-our-energ_1684989.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/498/tom-rath-3501_growth_when-we-re-able-to-put-most-of-our-energ_1684989.jpg) > ““When we're able to put most of our energy into developing our natural talents, extraordinary room for growth exists. So, a revision to the "You-can-be-anything-you-want-to-be" maxim might be more accurate: You cannot be anything you want to be—but you can be a lot more of who you already are.”” [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Focusing on developing innate strengths yields greater growth than trying to become something completely different. **In simple terms:** Develop your natural talents for bigger growth. Key Takeaway Cultivate what you already excel at. Themes self‑improvement strengths growth identity Mood reflective encouraging Type advice motivational When to use this quote - career planning - education - team building - personal coaching Key Concepts Positive psychology talent development self‑actualization Questions to Reflect On - What strengths could you deepen right now? - How might ignoring weaknesses limit you? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on strengths may neglect needed skill gaps. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Developing Natural](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/developing-natural-995626/) [Growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth/) [Growth Exists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth-exists-995625/) [Natural Talents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural-talents-740541/) [Talents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talents/) ## Related quotes > [When we're able to put most of our energy into developing our natural talents, extraordinary room for growth exists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/when-we-re-able-to-put-most-of-our-energy-into-developing-our-natural/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [To date, there has been no serious attempt in Western countries to use laws to control excessive population growth, although there exists ample authority…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-holdren/to-date-there-has-been-no-serious-attempt-in-western-countries-to-use/) [John Holdren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-holdren/) > [“To develop a strength in any activity requires certain natural talents.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-o-clifton/to-develop-a-strength-in-any-activity-requires-certain-natural-talents/) [Donald O. Clifton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-o-clifton/) > [“Most geniuses are geniuses because of the way they manage their natural talents. He was one because of the way he took advantage of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-s-nchez-pi-ol/most-geniuses-are-geniuses-because-of-the-way-they-manage-their/) [Albert Sánchez Piñol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-s-nchez-pi-ol/) > [Whatever may be our natural talents, the art of writing is not acquired all at once.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/whatever-may-be-our-natural-talents-the-art-of-writing-is-not/) [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) > [As your body deteriorates, your natural talents start to go a little bit. You have to bring in physical working out, building, taking protein…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-roethlisberger/as-your-body-deteriorates-your-natural-talents-start-to-go-a-little/) [Ben Roethlisberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-roethlisberger/) > [I believe it is in the world's interest to develop environments that fully engage women and leverage their natural talents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/weili-dai/i-believe-it-is-in-the-world-s-interest-to-develop-environments-that/) [Weili Dai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/weili-dai/) > [You shouldn't take pride in your natural talents any more than you should take pride in your sex, your race or color of your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-buckingham/you-shouldn-t-take-pride-in-your-natural-talents-any-more-than-you/) [Marcus Buckingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-buckingham/) > [“Natural talents begin to blossom early, but they get nipped in the bud by what I call "the parent, the peer group and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-bray-attwood/natural-talents-begin-to-blossom-early-but-they-get-nipped-in-the-bud/) [Janet, Bray Attwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-bray-attwood/) > [“A hobby affords us a marvelous opportunity to awaken our natural talents.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-ban-breathnach/a-hobby-affords-us-a-marvelous-opportunity-to-awaken-our-natural/) [Sarah Ban Breathnach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-ban-breathnach/) > [Research shows that the happiest people are those who use their natural talents to the utmost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-harv-eker/research-shows-that-the-happiest-people-are-those-who-use-their/) [T. Harv Eker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-harv-eker/) > [“God has a way of picking a “nobody” and turning their world upside down, in order to create a “somebody” that will remove the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/god-has-a-way-of-picking-a-nobody-and-turning-their-world-upside-down/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [We're all born with different talents. I'm really not that smart, but I can see things - financially and development-wise. It's just the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tilman-j-fertitta/we-re-all-born-with-different-talents-i-m-really-not-that-smart-but-i/) [Tilman J. Fertitta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tilman-j-fertitta/) > [“The vocation of a man lies in his vision.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-vocation-of-a-man-lies-in-his-vision/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Via your talents, you can go beyond the limits!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/via-your-talents-you-can-go-beyond-the-limits/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) ## More by Tom Rath > [Every day, I read about new ideas and research that could help someone I care about live a longer and healthier life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/every-day-i-read-about-new-ideas-and-research-that-could-help-someone/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [I've seen people be effective, even among local teams, by offering something that improves wellbeing in a small way - people who get passionate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/i-ve-seen-people-be-effective-even-among-local-teams-by-offering/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [“What great leaders have in common is that each truly knows his or her strengths - and can call on the right strength at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/what-great-leaders-have-in-common-is-that-each-truly-knows-his-or-her/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [If you want people to understand that you value their contributions and that they are important, the recognition and praise you provide must have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/if-you-want-people-to-understand-that-you-value-their-contributions/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [On average, spending time with your boss is consistently rated as the least pleasurable activity in a given day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/on-average-spending-time-with-your-boss-is-consistently-rated-as-the/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [“Once your brain initially processes something, you are less likely to retain the information if you are not physically active in the period following…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/once-your-brain-initially-processes-something-you-are-less-likely-to/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [I would absolutely recommend against excessive positivity and optimism. Any positive emotion that you're infusing into a workplace needs to be grounded in reality.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/i-would-absolutely-recommend-against-excessive-positivity-and/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [The vast knowledge we have to prevent cancer, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses is staggering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/the-vast-knowledge-we-have-to-prevent-cancer-heart-disease-and-other/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [Positive defaults protect you from yourself - and that helps you to make decisions in the moment that are better for your long-term interests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/positive-defaults-protect-you-from-yourself-and-that-helps-you-to/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [Making better choices takes work. There is a daily give and take, but it is worth the effort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/making-better-choices-takes-work-there-is-a-daily-give-and-take-but/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [Having fewer unhealthy days and, in turn, more days when you have the energy to get things done is probably the global constant through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/having-fewer-unhealthy-days-and-in-turn-more-days-when-you-have-the/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [Even if people just change two or three things that they are able to sustain over time, it makes quite a difference eventually.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/even-if-people-just-change-two-or-three-things-that-they-are-able-to/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [People with high levels of wellbeing have been careful to work out early in the morning and not to have heavy meals throughout the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/people-with-high-levels-of-wellbeing-have-been-careful-to-work-out/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [The absence of high-quality friendships is bad for your health, spirits, productivity, and longevity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/the-absence-of-high-quality-friendships-is-bad-for-your-health/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) > [I'm a researcher, so I'm realistic that there's nothing I'm doing that's going to prevent me from getting cancer in the future. But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/i-m-a-researcher-so-i-m-realistic-that-there-s-nothing-i-m-doing-that/) [Tom Rath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) [Explore all 129 Tom Rath quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/) ## More Growth quotes > [My coach, Robert Allen, helped me a lot. He had more influence on my growth as a player than anyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamarcus-aldridge/my-coach-robert-allen-helped-me-a-lot-he-had-more-influence-on-my/) [LaMarcus Aldridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamarcus-aldridge/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) [Phil Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-hogan/) > [Advances in technology will continue to reach far into every sector of our economy. Future job and economic growth in industry, defense, transportation, agriculture,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-bond/advances-in-technology-will-continue-to-reach-far-into-every-sector/) [Christopher Bond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-bond/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [“I urge you: don't cut short these thought-trains of yours. Follow them through to their end. Your thoughts and your feelings. Follow them through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/i-urge-you-don-t-cut-short-these-thought-trains-of-yours-follow-them/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“Economic growth continued by means of a succession of new products which found growing and ultimately massive demand. Some of the new products were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-a-hudson/economic-growth-continued-by-means-of-a-succession-of-new-products/) [Edward A. Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-a-hudson/) > [“To engage in dialogue is to serve others via whatever is real inside you; to engage in debate is to ultimately serve the illusions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oli-anderson/to-engage-in-dialogue-is-to-serve-others-via-whatever-is-real-inside/) [Oli Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oli-anderson/) > [If you learn something that changes you, you've made progress. If you learn something that changes others, you've helped change the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lanie-lane/if-you-learn-something-that-changes-you-you-ve-made-progress-if-you/) [Lanie Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lanie-lane/) > [“SILENT LIKE SLEEP You appear by my side, silent like sleep. Soft hair, a little wild. No fear, gentle like a calm river. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-goddard/silent-like-sleep-you-appear-by-my-side-silent-like-sleep-soft-hair-a/) [Donna Goddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-goddard/) > [Friendship, "the wine of life," should, like a well-stocked cellar, be continually renewed; and it is consolatory to think, that although we can seldom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-boswell/friendship-the-wine-of-life-should-like-a-well-stocked-cellar-be/) [James Boswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-boswell/) > [Change is inevitable but personal growth is a choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/change-is-inevitable-but-personal-growth-is-a-choice/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [He who is content with what has been done is an obstacle in the path of progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/he-who-is-content-with-what-has-been-done-is-an-obstacle-in-the-path/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [“There is no growth without risk. There is always something to be gained from any experience. It is up to us to interpret our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/truth-devour/there-is-no-growth-without-risk-there-is-always-something-to-be/) [Truth Devour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/truth-devour/) > [Create an environment for people to fail, to learn, and to grow. Their creativity and productivity will increase.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/create-an-environment-for-people-to-fail-to-learn-and-to-grow-their/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You have to improve; that's how you develop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gustafsson/you-have-to-improve-that-s-how-you-develop/) [Alexander Gustafsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gustafsson/) [Browse all 9,113 Growth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“When we're able to put most of our energy into developing our natural talents, extraordinary room for growth exists. So, a revision to the \"You-can-be-anything-you-want-to-be\" maxim might be more accurate: You cannot be anything you want to be—but you can be a lot more of who you already are.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tom Rath" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/when-we-re-able-to-put-most-of-our-energy-into-developing-our-natural-2/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Growth" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/when-we-re-able-to-put-most-of-our-energy-into-developing-our-natural-2/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/498/tom-rath-3501_growth_when-we-re-able-to-put-most-of-our-energ_1684989.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/498/tom-rath-3501_growth_when-we-re-able-to-put-most-of-our-energ_1684989.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/498/tom-rath-3501_growth_when-we-re-able-to-put-most-of-our-energ_1684989.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When we're able to put most of our energy into developing our natural talents, extraordinary room for growth…” — Tom Rath", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Tom Rath", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rath/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“When we're able to put most...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/when-we-re-able-to-put-most-of-our-energy-into-developing-our-natural-2/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rath/when-we-re-able-to-put-most-of-our-energy-into-developing-our-natural-2/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```