The Myth of Innate Talent: What if It's Not What You Think?
You've probably heard someone say: “She has incredible talent!” or "He's naturally gifted at it." We love to believe that some people are born with a superpower, while we have to work hard to succeed. But what if I told you that innate talent is mostly a myth?
Yes, some skills seem natural, but behind every success there is almost always a lot of work.
Talent doesn't fall from the sky
The myth of innate talent is reassuring: it explains why some people succeed easily. But in truth, what makes the difference is not a magical gift, but regular practice and perseverance.
Think of great pianists. Many seem able to play perfectly from childhood. But behind that, there are thousands of hours of practice, often from the age of 4 or 5. Even elite athletes, who seem "naturally gifted", worked on their discipline and technique for years before reaching the top.
What science tells us
Researchers like Anders Ericsson, a specialist in expertise, have shown that what really matters is what he calls the deliberate practice : repeat, correct mistakes, seek to constantly improve.
Carol Dweck, a psychologist at Stanford, explains in his theory of growth mindset (growth mindset) that believing that you can progress through effort changes everything. People who adopt this mindset are more successful than those who believe their talent is fixed.
And our brain helps us! Thanks to neuroplasticity, it can remodel itself and learn new skills, even as an adult. In short, you're never "too old" to progress or excel in a field.
How to put this into practice in your life
If you want to progress and succeed, here are some concrete ideas:
- Regular and targeted practice : not just when you feel like it. Even 20-30 minutes a day, well-targeted, makes a huge difference in the long run.
Example: If you want to learn Spanish, instead of revising for 3 hours once a month, spend 20 minutes each day listening to a podcast or using an app like Duolingo. Regularity is worth more than occasional intensity. - Accept mistakes : Every failure is an opportunity to learn. Experts fail, but they analyze and correct.
Example: You're giving a presentation at work and you lose your notes? Instead of telling yourself you're bad, note what you missed (more repetition, keywords instead of whole sentences) and adjust next time. - Deep motivation : choose a goal that really excites you. External motivation (money, recognition) is not always enough.
Example: Running a marathon just to impress your loved ones is likely to exhaust you. But if your goal is to prove to yourself that your body is capable of meeting a challenge or to find mental balance, you'll be more likely to persevere through tough times. - Continuous learning : read, watch, listen, test. Even small progress counts.
For example, if you want to progress in your career, you can read an article a week about your industry or ask a colleague for constructive feedback after a project. These small building blocks ultimately create a real wall of solid skills.
And above all, stop comparing yourself to others. Everyone has their own pace and strengths. What matters is the path you build yourself.
Examples that inspire
- Music : Beethoven or Mozart are often cited as "innate geniuses", but they spent hours every day rehearsing and perfecting their craft.
- Sport Serena Williams didn't become world number 1 in tennis by chance. Her success is based on intensive training since childhood.
- Business : Elon Musk and Steve Jobs weren't prodigies from the start. Their success comes from perseverance, constant learning, and risk-taking.
The myth of innate talent is seductive but misleading. Lasting success depends not on mysterious gifts given at birth, but on your perseverance and mindset.
So the next time you tell yourself that you don't have "no talent", remember: you already have everything you need to progress. The important thing is to start, learn from each mistake and keep moving forward, step by step.
Talent is mostly created by you every day.
