This lie of talent, of gifted-ness has to be one of the most poisonous lies people have deceived themselves into believing. The belief that certain people, maybe even us, were born with abilities that you lack the power to replicate. Unfortunately, if you tell a big enough lie enough times, people start to believe it.
With researchers like Dr. K. Anders Ericsson beginning to say that talents are developed from huge amounts of conscious training, rather than gift, we are starting to see more scientific evidence toppling this myth. Michael Jordan may have been born slightly better suited for basketball, but without all the years of training, nobody would take a second look at his ‘talent’.
I believe at some point every person who develops a high degree of skill stumbles onto the right formula for success. Inborn talent might be able to explain small differences in skill, but it can hardly account for the huge differences present in society.
Let go of the belief that others have a talent you can’t learn. Success is a skill. Skills come from an intention to work and the formula for doing so. Don’t fall into believing the myth of talent.
I agree with Young that, if research like Dr. Ericsson's is borne out, then the myth of talent is one of the most harmful a person can believe. We all know people (including ourselves) who have not attempted things because they have convinced themselves they can never become good at it. How much individual potential and productivity goes unrealized because people buy into this belief? People who truly believe they can develop a skill if they practice long enough and hard enough will be much more willing to endure long hours of practice and repeated failures to acquire a skill than those who think they have no hope of success. Maybe that's the secret of perseverance?
Coming into economics a little later than most, this type of research gives me the hope I need to continue working to get myself up to speed with the rest of the profession. I may have started off a little behind, but I find myself slowly catching up.
See my previous posts:
(HT Lifehack)
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