An aspiring writer
told me yesterday
that she wished she had
my talent for writing.
Writing is very hard work
for her.
It is hard work for me
also.
And she has as much
or more ‘talent’
as I do.
I merely have
more skill at writing.
I’ve worked on the craft
for many decades.
I’ve taken courses, workshops.
I’ve experimented
with different techniques.
I practice every d@mn day.
What she thinks
is genetic-bestowed talent
is truly practice-honed skill.
Which is awesome
because talent can’t be
increased
but skill can grow
unceasingly.
Leaders talk about
developing real skills
and encouraging people
to develop
into their full potential,
but too often,
we take the short-term path
of betting on
raw talent
instead.
And of course,
what looks like raw talent
might not be.
It could simply be
our confusion about
first impressions
compared to
the power of commitment,
enrollment
and persistence.”
If you have the choice
between two people
of equal abilities,
one who got there
based on talent alone,
and
one who got there
based on skills
honed by hard work,
always choose
the person
with the skills.
Skills can be improved.
Talent can’t be.