Why grit beats talent

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Derek Sivers has a great blog post on his fantastic blog illustrating how talent is overrated, and why it’s grit that really counts:

“After 15 years of practice, and about 1000 live shows, I was finally a very good singer, at least by my own standards.

[…]

I'm really trying to be a great computer programmer, and so in awe of the people who seem to do it naturally. I'm just such a beginner.

It may take me another 15 years, but I'm determined.”

I used to think that the ability to program was something you were either born with or you weren’t. Now I’m only half sure.

We all love stories of the genius with the god-given gift, and creative people are never more creative than when telling their own stories (Michelangelo destroyed his early work and harangued his first biographer because he mentioned that he once studied under a master, all to perpetuate the myth that he was born perfect), but, as Derek eloquently demonstrates, the truth is often more complicated.

Derek is speaking at Business of Software 2010. The early bird discount expires soon, so if you want to hear him then book soon.

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Comments

[Bob Cramblitt]

Thanks for this Neil. I often think that "I don't have the talent" is just an excuse. I started playing guitar just 6 years ago and I'm good enough to perform publicly. I started singing and playing 4 years ago and my voice is much better than in my youth. It's practice. Here's what Branford Marsalis says about it: http://blogs.newsobserver.com/beat/branford-marsalis-practice-makes-perfect

[Jim Kring]

Not only can grit beat talent, but being gifted can actually be a curse (via Eric S. Raymond).