A list of 125 talents and skills

A list of 125 talents and skills for character development and self-reflection. Includes artistic, athletic, and intellectual abilities.

By Brad Nakase, Attorney

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Table of Contents
Introduction
125 Skills and Talents
Creative & Artistic Talents
Physical Skills and Talents in Athletics
People Skills and Talents
Intellectual & Academic Talents
Morally Questionable Talents
Other Talents & Skills

Introduction

A character’s skills and talents are important factors to take into account. Consider your own skills and the way you would characterize yourself while using it!

An individual’s character and identity are fundamentally shaped by their talents, which might be either private or public, broad or narrow, widely appreciated, or unfairly overlooked. These talents, which are sometimes referred to as “soft skills” or “people skills,” are not limited to those that could inspire someone to embark on a profession or pastime; they also include talents that could be harder to quantify.

Please bookmark or pin this list if you believe you’ll need it later! I realize there is a lot of overlapping although I’ve divided things into categories, and some of these you might have placed under another subject.

125 Skills and Talents

Creative & Artistic Talents

  1. Painting
  2. Dancing
  3. Writing
  4. Storytelling
  5. Dressmaking
  6. Graphic design
  7. Blacksmithing
  8. Acting
  9. Woodworking
  10. Architecture
  11. Singing
  12. Knitting
  13. Composing music
  14. Jewelry-making
  1. Pottery
  2. Leather-working
  3. Hairstyling
  4. Calligraphy
  5. Origami
  6. Interior decorating
  7. Brewing
  8. Playing a musical instrument
  9. Winemaking
  10. Carving pumpkins
  11. photo/video editing
  12. Baking
  13. Cooking

Physical Skills and Talents in Athletics

  1. Hunting
  2. Archery
  3. Shooting
  4. Gathering
  5. Skipping stones
  6. Fishing
  7. Swimming
  8. Sword fighting
  1. Horseback riding
  2. Firefighting
  3. Acrobatics
  4. Boxing
  5. Running
  6. Wrestling
  7. Ice skating
  8. Juggling
  9. Jumping
  10. Hiking
  11. Climbing

People Skills and Talents

  1. Listening
  2. Leading meetings for business meetings
  3. Charming people
  4. Persuading people
  5. Parenting
  6. Comforting others
  7. Teaching
  8. Debating
  9. Negotiating
  10. Peacemaking
  11. Telling jokes
  12. Public speaking
  13. Persuading individuals to divulge their secrets
  14. Keeping secrets

Intellectual & Academic Talents

  1. Physics
  2. Spelling
  3. Memorizing things
  4. Learning languages
  5. Logic
  6. Herbology
  7. Speed-reading
  8. Cartography
  9. Mathematics
  10. Navigating
  11. Bookkeeping
  12. Computer coding
  13. Investing
  14. Playing chess
  15. Researching
  16. Solving crimes
  17. Diagnosing illness

Morally Questionable Talents

  1. Forgery
  2. Cheating
  3. Lying
  4. Spying
  5. Disguising oneself
  6. Gambling
  7. Computer hacking
  8. Stealing
  9. Safecracking
  10. Sneaking
  11. Hypnotizing
  12. Assassinating people
  13. Cursing people

Other Talents & Skills

  1. Rhyming
  2. Waiting tables
  3. Having the ability to nap wherever
  4. Lip-reading
  5. Roofing
  6. Repairing things
  7. Cleaning
  8. Sailing
  9. Flying a helicopter or plane
  10. Mining
  11. Farming
  12. Plumbing
  13. Whistling
  14. Stone Masonry
  15. Planning
  16. Falconry
  17. Budgeting
  18. Palm reading
  19. Herding sheep
  20. Knot-making
  21. Watching long distances
  22. Driving
  23. Hypnotizing
  24. Weather prediction
  25. Surgery
  26. Bridge-building
  27. Gem-cutting
  28. Shoemaking
  29. Spinning wool
  30. Dog training
  31. Horse training
  32. Surgery
  33. Doing pedicures and manicures
  34. Kissing
  35. Massaging

As you create personalities for your novel or film, or as you consider your own abilities and talents, I believe that this compilation of talents may be useful. Though viewers or readers may occasionally object to individuals who seem to be excellent at everything, bear this thought in mind if you are employing this for building characters. If they have been born bearing it or gained it in some other way—superpowers or psychic abilities, for example—you should, at a minimum, be truthful as to how they became skilled at what they are skilled at.

Keep in mind that a few of the characteristics on this list can apply to an entire tribe or civilization if you create fantasy tales. Giving distinct characters distinct strengths, however, can add interest to a work involving an ensemble casting. Furthermore, it might be quite entertaining if your protagonists discover someone has a secret skill.

Please add any further recommendations you may have for the many types of talents individuals have (or that you yourself possess) in the discussion area!

Have a quick question? We answered nearly 2000 FAQs.

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