22 Mar | Talent is not enough if it is not cultivated
How many times have we witnessed colossal wastes of talent? There are many examples, from sports to music, from science to art, to our everyday life. What this actually demonstrates is that talent, in itself, does not guarantee success, unless it is properly cultivated. Continuous and laborious improvement on one’s self is necessary in order to achieve significant goals!
# DO YOU REALLY LIKE WHAT YOU DO?
This might seem trivial, yet it is very common to come across talented people who have no passion for what they do. Hence, you need to ask yourself some questions: are you sure that what you do so well is really what you want to continue doing? Does it give you pleasure? does it satisfy you? Talent increases with willpower. Talent, without the desire to increase it, is destined to stray.
# SET YOURSELF REALISTIC OBJECTIVES BEFORE DREAMING TO REACH THE MOUNTAIN TOP
The line between ambition and velleity is very thin. A lot of the frustration stems from the belief that one’s talent will express itself and that sooner or later success will arrive. Set your goals, even ambitious ones, and strive for more. But do not forget that, although innate, our skills and potentials need time and effort to express themselves completely. Success is a conquest, not a “right”.
# ARE YOU GOOD? BECOME THE BEST!
Being good is satisfying, of course, but it does not mean being the best. Commitment, discipline, constant training, motivation, and organization: all this is what makes it possible to stand out, make a difference. It is not enough to surpass others in order to become the best: you must set the standards to which others will have to adapt.
# LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES
Having talent does not mean being infallible. On the contrary, very often great works arise from great failures, from countless failed attempts. The realization of one’s dreams are reachable through trial and error. Learning to understand these mistakes and exploiting them in order to improve your skills is the real talent you need to cultivate.
# ACCEPT CRITICISISM AND LOOK FOR NEW INSPIRATIONS
Obviously, it is not possible to learn from one’s mistakes if one does not admit to having committed any in the first place. Living immersed in compliments is reassuring, but it prevents us from going beyond our elementary skills, makes us lazy, renders us slaves to the image of ourselves that we build every day. Try to compare yourself with whom you think capable of stimulating your desire to continually challenge yourself.