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.

The site has more than 1300 pages of quotes, articles, interviews, book titles and excerpts, personal development programs, coaching sites and other material.

Areas of particular interest for me are gifted women and teens/young adults - hence the sections Women and Talent and Teen/Young Adult Talent - and psychological topics aspects of High Ability and being Highly Sensitive.

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

There are also related sections: The Inner Actor, and The Inner Writer, as well as The Inner Entrepreneur.

There are multiple pages of quotes, books, programs, sites, supplements and articles, interviews with artists, psychologists, educators, researchers and others, plus topics related to giftedness, and talent areas in addition to film, such as writing, photography and visual arts, plus other pages to help explore and enhance being an artist - and 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 alcohol 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 meaning and 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 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 [and newsletter archives] on the updates page.

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 medical advice.

Thanks for visiting - and for any comments.

Douglas Eby - site author resume / contact

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

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]

“Capacities clamor to be used, and cease their clamor only when they are well used…
Not only is it fun to use our capacities, but it is necessary for growth.”
Abraham Maslow, in his book Toward a Psychology of Being

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.

ecopsychology.….nutrition..…..supplements

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

~ ~ ~