Talent is overrated...

in #ulog6 years ago (edited)
I'm sitting down with a friend in a restaurant close to home. The conversations with him are usually pretty deep, since he has been the type of guy who has hustled his whole life, thus knows a thing or two about working hard. In all, most people look at people with talent and wonder if they've achieved as much because of some sort of genetic fate.

Of course there are some people who are born with certain predispositions. Meaning, that someone could be genetically gifted as to have an easier climb, but this does not mean that person will, or even should.

As much as I found myself agreeing with the points my friend was bringing up, I can't remember thinking about this very thing for a really long time. Yes, that basically implies I used to, and the reasons why might be surprising to some. Being the least talented musician (in my opinion) of my family always had me wondering if I had missed out on the genetic lotto, that was until I found this particular truth.

Of course, I'm not saying this to throw some sort of pity party, or to have someone tell me I'm just as talented as my brothers. The reason why my concerns were valid, was because I sincerely felt them, and probably that's enough. I mean, how many people are too self conscious of their writing skills, because they don't think they are talented enough, and not even compliments seem to fix that self perception.

So.. What changed?


As with many things, it was nothing/something (see what I did there... it makes sense) specific. It's not like I had a meal with a guru on top of a mountain and I came to enlightenment, nothing of that caliber. It was more of a slow journey of self exploration and "tiny lesson" moments.

Like seeing someone you deemed not that talented progress a lot, simply by putting in the work. Elbow grease as some people say, sheer will. Working at the music store allowed me to see un-natural talent (if that word even exists) emulate what I thought could only be natural talent.

As if the coffin was missing a nail or two, a renowned online drum teacher came to the store to do one of his acclaimed clinics one day. Mike Johnston is not a superstar by all means, but if you've tried to learn to drum, or if you are a drummer there is a good chance you've come across his videos.

Out of all the lessons he shared that day the one that really stuck with me was very short:

"I may not be able to out-talent other drummers, but I can surely outwork them"

Seeing the company he built, his palpable success, knowing he is not the son of a privileged family or anything romantic like that, made his statement very real, very close to home. All of the sudden the dismissive part of my mental profile that rejects anything that sounds too cliche-ish was turned off - Message Received...

I felt like sharing this today, because I happen to know there are a lot of Steemians who wonder if they are talented enough to "make it" - for whatever "make it" means. But I think the question is poorly formulated.

If you want to grow, if you want to increase the size of the footprint you are attempting to leave behind, don't think about your talent, your genetic gifts. There is no merit there, nothing even feel too proud about. Think of how you can do more, how you can work harder, how you can learn more....

Sometimes "the winner" is the one who doesn't give up....

Food for thought, as they say.


Other posts by yours truly

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• Are you thinking about running for witness?
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• If they only knew... - Bidbot abuse
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Thoughtful post @meno. Thanks for writing it.

"Like seeing someone you deemed not that talented progress a lot, simply by putting in the work. Elbow grease as some people say, sheer will."

Amen to that! All of my life, I have been around talented people. Who never amount to much of anything, as their potential is never realized. Never converted from "potential" to "kinetic" energy (from an old Physics class ...). Why is that?

The belief in oneself, the ability to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and "get back in there" makes a world of difference. Iron-willed resolve and hard work "magically" produces results not thought possible. It is what you become, in the journey along the way, that tells the story.

Years ago, my career sat as a cross-roads of sorts. Long story how I managed to get to the second interview for a coveted position. In it, when his turn came (yes one of those "tag team" types of interviews), the CEO asked me "do you feel lucky?"

Good grief! That certainly wasn't on the list of my prepared answers. Had to wing it (not my strong suit)!

I replied that I frankly didn't believe in luck. BUT, that I could definitely say, "the harder I work, the luckier I get" ...

I got the job!

Keep up the great posting @meno!

Steemin’ along and on the move ... Posted using Partiko Android

Awesome story brother... that made me smile, the perfect answer really!

you recently made a post on @jerrybanfield a month ago and I recently read it I am going to be making a response to that post @meno.

Sure... i'll be looking forward to it.

Dude I love this outlook and I totally agree. I've always taken an ever-so-slight offense to people who label what I do as a 'natural gift'. It completely discredits the countless, insane amount of hours (and money) that I've dumped into my craft for the relatively decent understanding that I have. When you can see and remember the long path to where you are, it's anything but a given.

I've argued as far as to say there is no such thing as talent, only drive and passion. When you're passionate about something, practice and expertise come naturally over time (through hard work that you want to do). This can easily be mistaken for 'natural talent' to others who haven't seen the full picture.

Great post dude! Thanks for the good read.

I think because you do teaching, this is the best outlook you could have.. right?

I would like to think so! Definitely comes in handy to motivate, either way lol.

That's a wonderful piece. Whether talented or not, everything requires work. What differentiates two people having the same talents is the work invested in polishing the talent. No one climbs higher by just having raw talent. You have to make such talent exceptional by polishing it. Whether you have the talent or not, if you can do the work required in whatever you're dreaming of, you'll always stand out.

No one climbs higher by just having raw talent.

exactly, but many don't see this way... happy to see that you do!! I saw your comment on steevc's blog... you are hustling :)

😒 but can you network? Thats the question.

UNICORN CAKE FOR YOU!!!

An idea can shine bright in your mind and never become if we don't sit down to plot and make it live... somehow I'm in the middle of that process. I think talent is a subjective thing, or at least something you can work... but I think there is always some kind of innate spark, even on those who never thought it was there... like it is there.

maybe the spark is not a talent spark.. is more like a hunger... the hunger that makes you chase after it, even when it gets really hard to do so.

Maybe...

I call it the longing kind of

Two words.

Message Received...👍

I'm glad this resonated with you...

Funny enough I decided to google search a book to read yesterday to have with me when I go on vacation. Naturally I went to the best sellers list and came across a book called "Talent Code: Greatness Isn't Born. It's Grown. Here's How" by Daniel Coyle. Seems like it goes along well with the ideas in this post. I might have to order it.

I've just been coasting by on my looks.

hahahahhah yes, that can work too, but that topic is for another post

You got a 29.53% upvote from @ocdb courtesy of @meno!

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