The limits of talent

August 26, 2013

Many people think that we all have natural talents which can never be changed. “I’m a word guy” or “I’m really good at math”. People think of these proclivities as immovable realities that can never be changed.

I disagree.

Now to be fair, there are limits. Most of you never had a chance to become an NBA player, whereas I, who stands at 6’7″ (200cm), did. (Don’t worry, I squandered it gloriously.) But outside of that, the limits are far fewer than you think.

Through a combination of hard work, good teachers, and ridiculous stubbornness, you can do far more than you think you can, even if it’s something you’re not “good” at. You’re not good at it because you haven’t tried, because you haven’t been taught, because you never cared! Not because you cannot.

Yes, there are some things we’re naturally better at, and there are some things we’ll never be able to do, but the list is far smaller than you think it is. All you have to do is stop being so damn pessimistic and actually try.

If you earnestly want to master a skill, that will make up for any deficiency in natural talent a thousand times over. Trust me. I’ve done it myself.