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Talent is Overrated

Posted By: Timothy Chow
Date: Monday, 1 November 2010, at 2:45 p.m.

In Response To: Why are they better? (phil simborg)

The subject line is the title of a current bestseller by Geoff Colvin, who argues that learning strategies are the critical factor.

There is no doubt in my mind that learning strategies are very important and generally underrated. At the same time, you could put a bunch of people through exactly the same training program and some would come out performing better.

Often a sharp line is drawn between "talent" and "hard work." This line is artificial IMO. Some people have extraordinary powers of concentration and persistence. How did they get this talent for hard work—do they have a natural talent for working hard or did they work hard in order to acquire the ability to work hard?

As far as improving one's own game goes, though, fretting over one's own "talent" is clearly counterproductive. Colvin draws a picture of concentric circles: on the inside is the "comfort zone"; the next ring out is the "learning zone"; and the outer ring is the "panic zone." Regardless of one's level of talent or skill, keeping oneself in the learning zone as the comfort zone expands is the key to rapid improvement. Keep focusing on your biggest weaknesses, and avoid the temptation to spend lots of time perfecting your knowledge of a part of the game where you're already doing relatively well.

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