I read this article from American author and Pastor Rick Warren and it spoke deeply into my work and I thought; “why is this gentleman peeping into my mind?” I will therefore quote the story as he told it.
Once upon a time, some animals wanted to start a school. They decided the courses would include running, climbing, swimming and flying. Then they decided that all of the animals should take all of the courses.
And that’s where the problem started.
The duck was better than his teacher at swimming, but he only made passing grades in flying and was very poor in running. So they made him drop swimming and stay after school to practice running. This caused his webbed feet to be badly worn, and his grade dropped to average in swimming. But everybody felt less threatened and more comfortable with that—except the duck.
The rabbit started at the top of his class in running, but because of so much makeup work in swimming, he caught pneumonia and had to drop out of school.
The squirrel showed outstanding ability in climbing, but he was extremely frustrated in flying class because the teacher insisted that he start from the ground up rather than the treetop down. He developed charley horses from overextension, so he only got a “C” in climbing and a “D” in running.
The eagle was the problem student and was disciplined for being a nonconformist. For instance, in climbing class he beat all the others to the top of the tree, but he insisted on flying to get there. Finally, because he refused to participate in swimming class, he was expelled.
As you might imagine, the animals’ school didn’t work.
Different animals are designed to excel in specific areas, and they can’t be expected to do all the other things. A duck is made to be a duck—not anything else.
It’s the same for people. We are designed differently from each other. When you expect everyone to fit in the same mould, the result is frustration, discouragement, mediocrity, and failure. That you were made to be you is no secret.
To balance the world and take care of every feature in the world, human beings have been gifted with different talents, skills and abilities. Of course, there are those who work better with their hands and tools, others are theoretical and work best with their minds, others are intuitive and work best with feelings and creativity, while others work best with others. Others are natural motivators and persuaders while others work best with order and structure.  

Unless you discover your natural abilities, talents, interests, you may never stop groping in the dark! Finding your abilities and capabilities will help you through school, through college, through the world of work- basically, through life!

No matter the age or level of education, it is important for each person to ask themselves;
What unique abilities do I have? Am I fitting in a mould that match my abilities or one that doesn’t? What has been the result? Do you need help? Get in touch!

Margaret Waithaka is a career guidance specialist and trainer working in College of Career Guidance & Development, a school that trains youth and adults on matters careers. She can be reached on maggie@careerguidancecollege.co.ke