I was genuinely worried I’d never developed my skills to a level that would be recognized just because I didn’t think I possessed a God-given Talent. The world loves the stories of Talent, genius, and youth, but they rarely celebrate persistence and grit. It’s just not as glamorous and doesn’t fit as neatly into the cultural narrative.
Talent is overrated. Thousands of hours of hard work can compensate for what you think is a weakness. You can master any skill if you put your mind to it and commit to relentless practice.
I’ve seen that in my life, and if you’re honest with yourself, Gentle Reader, you will have seen it too. So why isn’t grit, hard work, and persistence as respected as talent? Simply, continuous practice of your art or skill is tough. It’s painful, but it works.
I learned that your ability to stick with and pursue any goal over a long period is an important indicator in achieving anything worthwhile in your life and career. If there is anyone thing I could attribute to my success as an author, it would be this idea. Looking back at all the writers I've left behind who believed in the hype of Talent; it makes me sad. So, many voices that could have made a difference in the literary world, snuffed out because of a faulty belief.
The good news for all of us Gentle Readers is that you can cultivate the perseverance and mental toughness success requires.
Modern-day stoic proponent Ryan Holiday says this, “There is no good or bad without us, there is only perception. There is the event itself and the story we tell ourselves about what it means.”
Hold on to what you believe. Be persistent and determined. Be open and willing to learn. Don’t let failure stop you; instead, see the obstacle as the way. Be ready to listen, adjust, and change while fighting for what you value.
Just know that tenacity matters more than Talent and let nobody tell you otherwise.
