Do You Have to Have Talent to Succeed?

Drawing Talent


Well, in most cases, I think that’s nonsense. “Talent” is overvalued. Talent is defined as a natural aptitude or skill. That’s it. It’s not a mystical ability, it’s not your predetermined destiny and it doesn’t mean you can’t do the job. Having talent also doesn’t grant you a free pass to success without practice and training. Neither does it mean that you will love whatever you’re talented at or that you will become rich if you pursue your talent. Talent simply means you have some things that you lean toward being able to do well. Most of us have several talents. Yours may be writing, dancing, or painting, or maybe you can tie a knot in a cherry stem with your tongue.



Education/training. In addition to practice, you have to be trained/educated in whatever skill you want to pursue. That might mean a degree, continuing education classes, lessons, coaching, or and apprenticeship with a master of your craft. However you do it, you have to receive instruction from a qualified teacher. Nobody wakes up and just knows how to do something like computer programming without some lessons. If you pursue your education and training, find good teachers, and keep advancing when one teacher can no longer teach you anything new, you’ll find yourself slowly mastering your craft.


Piano Talent


Collaboration. I may enjoy writing, but I don’t enjoy drawing, illustrating, or putting together PowerPoint presentations. I’m not good at these things, either, and I don’t have the inclination to learn. Whenever I have to do something that requires illustrations, I have people with whom I collaborate. They fill in my weak spots. Similarly, if they have work that needs text, they often call me to write the words. We all work to our strengths. This means that I can take on work that I wouldn’t normally get, and they can, too. If you have areas of your craft at which you don’t excel, chances are that you can find someone to cover your weak spots.





(Photos courtesy of kpgolfpro, Didgeman)


2 thoughts on “Do You Have to Have Talent to Succeed?

  1. Evelyn Chartres

    The 10,000 hour mark has been somewhat debunked. That number was normalised and is based on a specific field who were tested at a certain age. Essentially it serves a good number to say that to become good at something you need to dedicate time to it. However that number is not the same for everyone, the truly gifted will need a lot less time.

    However, your article did make me consider a certain aspect. Becoming a great at something does not mean you are great at all aspects of it. You mentioned you are good at being a seamstress, however that alone would not make you a great designer. Sure you can mend clothing, or follow a pattern but could you create a new line of clothing on your own? Alternatively, does a good designer need to be a seamstress? The answer is likely no.

    When it comes to being a writer what elements are required to be successful? Do you need to be a great wordsmith, an awe inspiring editor, excellent at assembling realistic dialogue or just creative? Writing like being a clothing designer requires many elements to be successful in my mind. You may have not be able to go toe-to-toe against the worlds foremost Grammar-Nazi, however you can create a world which compels people to follow your works.

    Even the above fails to take in every aspect. You may be a great wordsmith and be able to create worlds that people fall in love with, however if you cannot reach your audience then you will not gain traction. So that means there is also a bit of luck thrown into the mix, and the requirement for people to grow their brand. Especially if you self-publish, authors cannot afford to be arrogant or alienate their followers.

    Just my opinion of course!

    As for people giving up on their dreams? I find that people will tend to avoid doing something because they cannot be the ‘best’ as it or cannot handle the competitive atmosphere. In a way being a nameless cog in the corporate machine is healthier (so some) than being constantly in survival mode.

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