One mistake many people make is that they keep their talents a secret, whether they're natural talents or ones cultivated over time. The possible reasons for this are quite simple: They either don't want to feel as though they're showing off, they aim to avoid the spotlight, or they're afraid of messing up while others are watching. All of these are perfectly reasonable. The last thing I am is a show-off myself, and I am not a fan of drawing attention to myself in the least. That's why, when I possess a talent I would like people to know about, I casually show them on a one-to-one basis. For example, I type well over 100 words per minute. Two co-workers who sit near me got wind of it by hearing me type away at blazing speeds. (They didn't notice by actually watching me, as the cubicles are partitioned by walls.) Eventually, they each asked for an individual demonstration, and I was happy to provide it. It isn't like I typed more slowly or quietly...

We all know at least one person -- and it could be ourselves -- who just loves yapping on and on about his or her life. Whether it's talking about a child, neighbor, or the next cruise he or she intends to book, some people chatter incessantly about anything and everything going on in their lives. I actually have a couple of co-workers who do this. Now, opinion on these talkative folks seems to be rather divided. On the one hand, some people find them to be interesting in the sense that they always seem to have a new story to tell. Then there are the ones who regard these people as self-centered, considering they rarely stop to ask others about their lives. Personally, I find myself in the latter group. I'm not saying there's anything inherenly wrong with bloviating about your life. I just think it's only courteous to come up for air every once in a while and consider whether anyone else would like to add something to the conversation. Do people who blather on abo...