What is talent? Is it learned or a gift? What is Talent “Worth”?
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I stand at the easel in front of a crowd painting live. As I paint I have guests come up and say certain comments. Some hilarious, others are serious questions and wanting information or background on the piece. Some just incredible such as, “Are you painting that right now?” Really? However, I mostly hear “Man you are talented” or “You sure do have talent”. Which got me thinking: Is talent a gift? A skill? Or learned? Can talent be taught? What you decide about these questions has a huge impact on how you act, perform and operate. It’s a huge part of your identity as a creative, business owner and provider, parent etc..I have a huge appreciation for people that are really good at what they do. I have realized they didn’t get there overnight. It can be easy to assume they were just born with “it”. What is “it”? Talent? Skill?
After 26 years of doing what I have been doing I am convinced it has less to do with talent and more to do with passion and risk. That said, here is my definition of talent:
Talent (verb)- The ability and willingness to take a passion and pursue it without concern of what others say or think while taking risk in repetition until the extraordinary results emerge.
This is true whether you have a passion for digging ditches, making baskets, running a business, a home or making something from nothing.
Example: I love Gordon Ramsey’s food. I like his passion. You sit down to have him cook in front of you and he makes you an amazing meal in 15 minutes and it changes your whole perspective on food and fine dining. Then the bill of $350 comes and most people get derailed. What they don’t realize is they didn’t just have an amazing meal that took 15 minutes. They paid for an experience. They got to experience Gordon’s 30+ years of failing and risking to come up with the “way” he does things. Now, others find more value in other things other than fine dining. What I’m talking about is a person like Gordon who didn’t come into this world and say, “I’m born a chef”.
Take art for example. Some artists take 200+ hours on a piece that sells for 5k and another artist who splatters paint in 10 minutes and still gets 5k. In art, it’s subjective to the eye of the beholder. However, I’m talking, more about the process and not the end result. People look at something getting done and say “man you’re talented”. I believe the gardener that can cut a lawn, trim the bushes with ease and make it look nice and clean with little effort has as much talent as a carpenter who can walk into a family room and envision a wall unit, measure it and build it? So is it learned? Are they just “born with it”?
When people ask me about my career and when It started I just tell them “Art found me. I was going to play football, tour in a band or art.” I am more a driven and passionate person willing to risk than and artist. However, art is one of my biggest passions that I have spent time doing over and over. Creativity and art is making something from nothing, putting it on the field of the game of life for the world to enjoy, not like, to buy or to criticize. It’s risk. It’s not easy. However, it doesn’t get easier. The challenges just become larger and the courage to fail increases.
Like my definition, I believe it’s individuals that are willing to fail, risk and look like idiots while doing it over and over and over again. Talent is the “willingness” that’s what separates the good from the “great”. Risk, failures and commitment.
Thomas Edison failed at the light bulb over 9,000 times.
There is the old saying, “I’ve done so much with so little for so long that now I can do anything with nothing”. That’s talent.
The common denominator in any significant leader, inventor, innovator, singer, artist, author, business owner, parent, employee, student, athlete is passion. It is driven by an appetite for failure, for the opportunity of significant, measurable impact and influence.
Do you believe talent is something you are born with? Is it learned? How does this topic resonate with your passions?
Please share, repost and tweet this bog. Even more, please join the conversation by leaving a comment below. I’d love your comment.
Have a blessed day and thanks for being a part of the journey!
Recent comments
Jay Skorupski 10 years ago
I can relate 100%. Thank you for posting this. I’ve tried for years to verbalize my thoughts on “Talent”. I’ve always believed its earned and not given. Every kid loves to color and draw…some just stick with it for their lifetime because of the passion.
noah fine art 10 years ago
Jay, great stuff. Love the kid analogy. Its true! Thanks for being here
Kimberly 10 years ago
I have been grappling over a decision I just made. I have been wondering whether I made the best decision based on the advice from others. Your definition of talent was quite accurate. If you ever wonder if your blogs make a difference, they absolutely do. I will now revisit that decision.
noah fine art 10 years ago
Kimberly, totally appreciate the transparency. Sounds like exciting stuff about to happen! Blessings, Noah
Terry Weaver 10 years ago
Love it! Thanks for failing enough to increase your odds of success.
We may chase dreams but our passions chase us. Those that find the winning formula are the ones that know what they are chasing and whats chasing them. I know lots of talented people who will never create anything cause they were scared to start and gave up before they finished. Many fall, only a few get up…
noah fine art 10 years ago
Terry thanks. Love the great words and reminder. Appreciate you being here.
Evilos 10 years ago
I think everyone is born with a gift, it’s how you nurture that gift that makes one gifted. There is no such as a free lunch, but all the ingredients are there . You need to be willing to do the hard work and shape that talent. It’s a cosmic give and take.
John Frankel 10 years ago
Noah, You have to have the desire, I had a
Art Teacher in High School that always said
I can teach you but you have to have the desire
if you want it.
noah fine art 10 years ago
John, thanks for the comment. Desire/passion is key.Thanks for being part of the blog!
Jerrod Maruyama 10 years ago
I love this! I agree the gift is not so much about talent or inherent skills but about drive and persistence. Whether it’s drawing or sports – I think we all enjoy these things as children to a certain degree. But what makes a person go beyond crayons and little league? The drive to be better, to spend long hours alone practicing, to study the work of others – this is where the gift lives. That gift can lead you to some exciting rewards and terrifying failures. But such is life. I think defining “success” is the other half of this dialogue.
noah fine art 10 years ago
Jerrod, Agree. The definition of of “success” is a major driving point to the desire and passion. Thanks for being here.
Daniel Donnelly 10 years ago
Noah – I’m a former student of yours. You have been my biggest inspiration in airbrush since I first saw your work. Because of your instruction, my very first airbrush portrait took 4th place in Airbrush Action magazine.
Regarding talent, when I am coming from my head (ego) I feel fear and trepidation. When I come from my soul, there is always peace no matter how much work lies ahead. God allows all things to happen easily and perfectly. I experience His love through my art and all of the people who naturally connect to that higher power, whether they know it or not! Thank you for being you, for sharing your talent (passion, gift, love….) unselfishly with the world. That is the truest talent. Sincerely, Dan.
noah fine art 10 years ago
Thanks Dan. Great words and so glad to see things prosper for you in your thinking, faith and talent.