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?
According to the behavioural science institute, hidden talents are cognitive and social skills that are developed during high-adversity environments. According to them, hidden talents are an integration of our psychology, neuroscience, and social science and deal with how adversity shapes neuroplasticity for survival-relevant skills.
This means that due to the circumstances of our lives, we may have many skills we do not even realize we possess. Our adaptability in our personal life and professional life may help us find these talents and bring them forth, even later in life.
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.
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:
45 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.
You can also use your hidden talent to help others – by volunteering to build houses for Habitat for Humanity, for example.
3. Problem-Solving Skills
When people are raised in difficult or challenging situations they often have the hidden talent of exceptional. Having to deal with bad parents, low income, or other issues that make life hard for kids, also gives them the ability to solve problems much better than those with happy and safe childhoods.
Their childhood adversity can lead them to greater ability later in life. This hidden talent helps them handle challenges that others might not understand. It’s like having a secret superpower for solving problems!
Want to help your kids become better problem solvers, without the trauma and stress-adapted skills? Check out these kids activities improve problem solving abilities.
4. 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
5. Knitting or Embroidery or Sewing
Knitting and embroidery are useful skills that you can pickup to make cool things. Perhaps even good enough to sell eventually on places like ETSY, where people love hand-made crafts.
People may have a hidden talent for one of these crafts if they love making things with their hands. Enjoy DIY projects, drawing and making things themselves. They also need to be patient and have the ability to follow steps. And, of course, they need to love cozy things like scarves and blankets.
See this beginners guide to knitting to give it a chance if you feel this may be a hidden talent for you!
6. 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.
7. 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. More importantly you have the inspiration to find people their “perfect” gifts.
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.
8. Mediators
If you are good at listening to others and enjoy helping other people to get along, you may have a hidden talent as a mediator.
People who are good at this need to have patience. A calm demeanor. Be good at listening. And have the ability to understand and sympathize with both sides of every argument.
While you may be a mediator between friends and family, just from your natural ability, if you want to make money from this skill, you need to get a degree. This post will show you what you need. It may be less education than you believe.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. Perfect Pitch
Perfect pitch is something that every musician in the world wishes they have. And many do. There is an element of learning to perfect pitch and some people have it while never having touched an instrument.
You have “perfect pitch” if you can hear a song and know exactly what notes are being played without looking at an instrument! So you will at least need to know your musical scales and the accompanying sounds to tell if you have this amazing skill.
Here is a perfect pitch test. You may need to run through this a few times as you will need to learn the sound of the notes to succeed. But it may be the best way to tell if you have the hidden talent of untrained perfect pitch.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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 improvisational acting.
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.
16. 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, perhaps if you are good enough even restart your path to being a professional musician.
You can start by posting videos of yourself playing harmonica (or whatever instrument you play) on YouTube or streaming your music on Spotify.
17. Magic Tricks
Spoiler alert: magic isn’t real.
I know you are shocked!
However magicians do have a lot of skills. First and foremost they are top notch entertainers. Secondly they have quick hands and understand misdirection, either with words or deeds. (or both)
Everything else in magic is just learning tricks and practice, practice, practice. Even if you are just using magic as an icebreaker, this can be a fun hidden talent.
To get started simply learn a few tricks, check out video walk throughs, or take a course on magic and see if it is for you. I suggest Tarbell’s course on magic. I took it years ago, and though I have forgotten many tricks, it was a great one for starting with the basics and progressing your skills.
18. Nail Art
All the little girls in my family love nail art. I think many girls do, but many also “grow out” of this trend. But if you still find passion in doing nail art for yourself and for others, you may want to look into taking the next step with this hidden talent and becoming a certified nail technician.
The rules and requirements vary state by state, but typically it is a few months to a year in training, followed by a state board exam and in some states some hands on supervised training.
Not too much to turn those dreams into a passion and make the most of this hidden talent.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. 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.
22. 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 your friends and family are always raving about your perfect pancakes, people 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.
23. 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
24. 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. You may even create the next game of chess.
Alternatively, 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.
25. 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.
26. 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.
27. 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.
28. 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.
29. 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.
30. 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.
31. 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.
32. 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!
33. 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.
34. 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.
35. 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.
36. 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.
37. 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.
38. 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.
39. 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.
40. 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. Want to be a better leader: check out some important leadership goals.
41. 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.
42. 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.
43. 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.
44. 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.
45. 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:
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.)
