We have many members in one body, but not all the members have the same function. (Romans 12:4)

When we read this scripture in Romans chapter 12 we see that we are created unique. God has given each of a set of skills along with talents; and with those upon the acceptance of Christ, the Holy Spirit endows us with the spiritual gifts we are to use to God’s glory. Many of us have some of the same skills, talents, and have even been blessed with some of the same gifts. Some of us even have the same function in the body.

For some it may be to teach the youth because your personality attracts kids to your message.

For some it may be to administrate because your passion is to see things done orderly and in fashion.

For some it may be to be intercessors because a part of your purpose is to stand in the gap for those who do not know the power of prayer.

Did you catch something in those last three statements? Read them again and pay close attention to the words in bold font.

Yes, there are many in working for God who will be teachers, others intercessors, and yet others administrators. And yes, many of them will share the same talents and skills. However, they will each work a little differently because of their…

Personality, passion and purpose!

God did not create the human race as robotic beings and we should never act like that. Yet, in business many do!

It is often seen in the business owner trying to be the same exact type of business person their mentor is. It is seen in the women trying to compete with each other for the same clients instead of working together as a team to provide quality service. It is seen in the person who jumps from vocation to vocation because so-and-so seems to be successful in that field.

The bottom line is that God blessed you with your own personality, your own passions, and your own purpose. While we each have the same unified purpose of glorifying God with our life, we each have a different plan that He has in mind for getting the job done right.

Take some time to assess your life. Really what does God want you to do with your life? Who does He want YOU to be (not who does He does want you to just like)? How does He desire for you to operate in your business?

Remove all the outside junk, get real with life and become all that God is calling you to be in life for a better business.

Everyone has an ability that will enhance their life. It is a good idea for the person seeking integrated balance to take an inventory of their own skills and talents. Maybe you don’t think that you have any skills or talents. However, if you think long and hard you may be surprised with what you discover.

It is like the argument that the kid makes to his dad when he can’t climb the tree. Dad says, “Use your muscles.” The kid says, “I just don’t have any muscles.”

Of course he has muscles. They might not be developed enough to give him the strength to climb the tree but he has them. This is also the fact when it comes to your skills and talents. The problem may lie in the fact that they haven’t had time to be nurtured so that they can grow.

There are several inventories available for assessing talents. After answering a series of questions, the person has a picture of what their talents are and what they can do with them. Maybe you have artistic capabilities or are good at organization. You may discover a talent that you are not crazy about. Don’t sweat it! Just pray about it and ask God to show you how to tie it into your personality and lifestyle for an integrated life. He is the one who blessed you with the talent so He knows what he wants you to do with it.

There is a link between satisfaction and talent. For instance, if a person’s talents tend towards the creative, but they are working as an accountant, their life may not be as fulfilling as it could be. This is because they are not playing to their strengths. It is your strengths that will help you achieve true success and fulfillment.

To begin the discovery of your talents and skills, start with childhood. What did you like to do? It might pertain to drawing, singing, playing a sport, or something totally different. Why does it matter?

A skill is learned. We learn to ride a bike. We learn to sew. The talent comes in when we have the natural inclination towards something. Sewing is a skill you can learn; but the talent is when the learning comes easy and you acquire efficiency with sewing in a faster manner than most.

We are happier doing the things that we can do. Talent that is encouraged leads to a certain satisfaction in life. You don’t have to be a big time Entertainer or the next Tyra Banks; but using your  talent in some way each day fulfills a deep need inside every one of us. Even if accounting is your bread and butter, but you enjoy sketching, you can still do both.

It is all in how you balance it.

The feeling that comes when our God-given abilities are provided the freedom necessary to grow is priceless. It shapes us and those around us. You may not work at your talent fulltime, but if you embrace it and make it a part of your life your sense of self-worth will grow. That missing piece will no longer be missing anymore. You’ll feel more fulfilled as a result.

Discover your own talents. They may be hiding behind those skills that you seemed to learn so easily. If so, let them out and being making them an integral part of your life.

When it comes to having an online business, there are many things to consider. The first, of course, is what that business will be. That can pose an issue for some because there are so many options available for online businesses.  I for one had this problem. I did not know which way to go. However with some guidance, good coaching, a supportive mastermind group, and prayer I was able to find a path that fit me.

I started my ventures online with coaching. I soon found out that I did not know the online business market like I did the offline one. They had some similarities but the differences were extreme. So I moved from coaching and teaching to internet marketing with a site for the vegan family or those who wanted to learn more about healthier alternatives to eating. This is when I really started to find my groove but I had not quite hit it yet. There were some key elements missing.

Those elements were:

• My passion was not with the vegan lifestyle because I struggled with it daily. I was not 100% vegan and never pretended to be. My husband was and maybe that is why he is running the site now.
• My gifts were not being used effectively. My primary gifts  are exhortation, pastoring, and teaching. With Vegan Family Living  was not able to utilize what God gave me to use to His glory.
• My skills and talents were not meeting their full potential. I could only go so far with what I was doing.
• I was not turning much of a profit after a year. I was barely making ends meet and my family needed my income to help keep us afloat.

After my husband came to me and said that I need to go out and find work; or figure something else out for working at home, I finally listened to God. He had told me in 2006 to start a writing/VA biz and I did not listen. However, when I heeded, I started making a regular weekly income. First it was the writing business and then I branched in VA work in December of 2008.  My husband took over Vegan Family Living and I left it where it was – in his hands because that is how God wanted it to be.

By the time I had started my VA biz I had already been assisting others with blog work, writing, social meida stuff and marketing. So I simply took what I had learned and started  service based business. Social Savvy VA is becoming more than I imagined and I am simply going with God’s flow to make sure I stay on track.

Now I am finally at the point where I can branch off into coaching; so I am working on my brand and changing my business name to reflect my adjusted direction. I am working on a program now for the new online business owner so that they do not make the same mistakes I did.  It will combine all the key elements I mentioned here to help the new online business owner move into a business that will work for them. Again this is a result of passions, spiritual gifts, talents, and skills all meeting together for greatness.

Be on the lookout for this program coming in the Fall of 2009. If you are not on the LaTara Ham-Ying subscriber list, sign up today so that you are the first to know when the program opens.

This is what I want to encourage you to do. Look at your gifts, talents, and skills. Use them to help you determine if you are on the right path for your online business idea or if you need to rethink your path. Don’t be afraid to change your course and tell the naysayer to just leave you alone.

Work with what you know and watch your life and business take on new levels of success!