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Ingredients of Talent
You have probably come across the saying, “hard work beats talent.” At the surface, it is easy to think that this phrase is used by untalented people to compensate for their lack of the seemingly natural and effortless skills of those they look up to. John Donovan visits instructors to some of the most remarkable artists in different fields. He explores the force behind their talent and comes up with what he describes as the three key ingredients of talent- practice, great coaching, and total concentration.
Supreme talent is not born; it is made (Dan, 1: 32). Dan studies Linda Septon and her school as well as other hotbeds that produce some of the most gifted singers, violinists, footballers, among others. Practice hard wires, small, intricate details into our brains, and that is the reason it is the most crucial ingredient in talent development (Dan, 2; 26). Research by Dr. Doug further breaks down how practice improves the transmission of brain signals within the nervous system and thus gradually making one better at a particular skill.
Having a good teacher plays a huge part in developing talent (John, 4:11). Linda, a singing instructor, believes that when mastering a specific skill, it is vital to break it down into a series of palatable parts; this helps to perfect each part and do it in the correct order every time, so the entire action ultimately becomes effortless. The final ingredient is total concentration, breaking the action into small steps enables the instructors to keenly observe the learner’s progress and make small corrections (Dan, 5:57). These small corrections immerse the learner into a zone where the can deeply practice. Dan concludes that everyone’s brain is intricately wired to develop any skill provided one is prepared to put in the work.
I drew a lot when I was a kid, but after joining high school, I discovered some people were way better than me; I felt intimated and gave up on it altogether. But after watching this video, I think I will get back at it and do a lot of practice, and perhaps enroll for an online class in cartoon drawing.
References
Donovan, John. Enroll Yourself In The Genius Factory. 2009. Web. 9 July 2020.