About the site / site mission : 

Talent Development Resources has grown out of my interests and research in creativity, personal development and positive psychology, and an appreciation of actors, writers, photographers and other artists with exceptional ability.

The site is designed to help explore some of the key psychological and social issues that affect people with multiple talents - and to provide information and inspiration to enhance achievement and creative expression, and help develop a more authentic and expressive life.

There are currently more than 600 pages of quotes, articles, interviews, book titles and excerpts, personal development programs, coaching sites and other material.

One area of particular interest for me is gifted women. I created the Gifted Women Forum on America Online [years ago - now defunct].

This site includes sections on Women and Talent, as well as Teen/Young Adult Talent which explore topics with a more specific focus - but I have tried to avoid age or gender compartmentalizing.

With my appreciation that so many highly talented people are drawn to theater and filmmaking, there are a number of pages on writing, acting, directing, screenwriting and related areas.

There are multiple pages of quotes, books, programs, sites, supplements and articles, interviews and podcast interviews with artists, psychologists, educators, researchers and others, plus topics related to giftedness / high ability, and other talent areas such as photography and visual arts, plus many pages to help explore and enhance being an artist - as well as a person.

This is a site for intelligent adults and mature teens - not children; there are words and images that may offend some people, or fail to pass "safe search" filters.

One of the main themes of the site is how mental health issues, spirituality and other topics such as self concept and self-limiting behavior including drug and alcohol use/abuse and addiction can impact our ability to realize creative talents and reach for higher levels of achievement, meaning and self-actualization.

One aspect is that exceptional ability or giftedness may include characteristics that get labeled as dysfunctional or pathological. Another area is the relevance of learning differences such as ADD/ADHD.

Many of these issues have personal relevance for me, and the site is an ongoing research project on these topics, plus work on a potential book.

So, my mission for the site is to present this kind of information, to help others understand that they may not be so "crazy" after all, but might have some challenges in realizing their talents, in terms of working with others, and being "at home" with themselves.

And the larger mission for the site is to help others (along with myself, of course) develop and nurture a more authentic and creative life.

You can find specific topics on the site map or the alphabetical index, or by using the site search and read new additions on the Developing Talent newsletter archives.

Material on the site is not meant to violate copyright [see Fair Use Statement] and is provided for educational and informational purposes only - I am not a therapist and this site is not intended to be a substitute for any professional coaching or medical advice.

Thanks for visiting - and for any comments.

Douglas Eby - site author  resumé    deby [at] talentdevelop.com
   

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Permission is granted to copy original text material by Douglas Eby solely for personal, non-commercial use, and if credit is given - see

   Creative Commons License.

The site is supported by commissions from Amazon.com and other affiliates.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Psychologist Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) developed the Hierarchy of Needs theory, which declares that as we meet 'basic' needs, we can move on to satisfy successively 'higher' needs.
      [text and diagram from Wikipedia page]

The original five levels were later expanded to seven or eight areas - listed below with a few related Talent Development Resources pages:

1) Physiological: hunger, thirst, bodily comforts, etc.

2) Safety/security: out of danger

anxiety...dysfunction / disorder....mental health

3) Belonginess and Love: affiliate with others, be accepted

collaboration....relationships....social reactions / interactions

4) Esteem: to achieve, be competent, gain approval and recognition

identity....role models....self-esteem / self concept

5) Cognitive: to know, to understand, and explore

awareness / thinking.....Buddhist psychology.....positive psychology

6) Aesthetic: symmetry, order, and beauty

talent areas.....organizing

7) Self-actualization: self-fulfillment, realizing one's potential

nurturing talent.....nurturing talent : teen/young adult.....
Personal Development & Achievement Resources.....personal development organizations

8) Self-transcendence: to connect to something beyond the ego or to help others find self-fulfillment and realize their potential.

social activism .....social activism : teen/young adult