Talent
Talent through virtue of definition — natural aptitude or skill.
Natural aptitude or skill to me is a clear distinction between two types of talent. A — those who are naturally gifted within their craft, it’s second nature. B — those who aren’t naturally gifted but spend significant amount of time putting in the work to improve and become gifted.
Both types work hard but Type A is more likely to become complacent, due to the fact they feel talent doesn’t acquire hard work and commitment. But it does.
I’ve always been curious to know what does it mean/take to be talented? Many answers could be thrown at that question, as I’m sure you’re thinking of some now as you read on. But what made me ask such a question, is that I’ve realised that the word talent is thrown around a lot and I’ve always been curious to know — which people are truly committed to their talent.
What do I mean? There are people who will show off their talent as if it were a Rolex but you will have people who are obsessed with their talent as if it were Game of Thrones. Those who are obsessed with it, are the hard working type who will spend all their time trying to get better and improve. Whereas the rest will just spend all the time gloating about it, with no hard work.
I mentioned above that talent is a commitment. It is. It may come natural to some but in order to make it greater, you must commit to improving it. As another word for talent is skill and skill’s aren’t just given to you. They’re developed and nurtured through practice and commitment, which can also be known as an obsession.
Here’s a perfect example, words from MMA Champ Fighter Conor McGregor -
He makes a very valid point and it’s his opinion. But hearing this point made me see that the word is overused, as there are people who deserve to be labelled talented due to their pure commitment and others who claim it because they can.
How do we distinguish the difference of who deserves to be labelled it and who doesn’t? Well if your a talented boxer right, like Anthony Joshua and you put in the work like he has over the years — boxing will become your profession. It’s the first thing on his mind when he wakes up and the last thing on his mind before he sleeps.
Whereas someone who doesn’t fulfil boxing as their every day profession will still believe they have equal capacity as AJ, but weren’t committed to their talent as much as he was. That’s complacency. I know what you think ‘hard work beats talent, when talent doesn’t work hard’. It’s spot on, but they both need each other.
Talented individuals are merely obsessive about their development to become better at what they’re passionate about. It could be anything from reading to boxing, to weight lifting to rock climbing. The more time you commit to it, the better you’ll become.
You’ll begin to notice it feels like second nature to you because of the time, effort and work you put in. That’s true talent, to me anyway.
As Type B reflects my capabilities as a Designer, Creative Director and the other titles. I was never given these roles or skills, I worked tirelessly hard to gain the skills I have today and spend so much time figuring out how I can improve, it stresses me out some days. But it’s my obsession.
Through what I’m capable to do with my skills, I don’t just think of what things I can create to make people say ‘Oh that looks good’. I’m more focused on what I can create by combining all my skills to produce products, services or experiences that people don’t know they need yet in their lives.
I’m obsessed with understanding how people think, behave and react to all types of mediums that we’re surrounded by. I read books about understanding how the human mind works and how people are built to think.
How can I be obsessed by this? Well as a passionate designer, the key to design is understanding people. That’s my obsession, skill and talent.
