You Have One of These Two Types of Talent

Cooper Kupp | Los Angeles Times

In art, academia, athletics, business, and life in general, there are exactly two types of talent: natural and chosen.

Natural talent needs no explanation, of course. Whether or not we care to admit it, some people are just born better at certain things than others.

We see it all the time.

That one student who never studies but aces all their tests. That one player on the team who doesn't practice hard but scores the most points in games. Examples are all around us daily.

And while natural talent may win in the short term, it very rarely wins in the long term. Why? Because a lot of people who are naturally talented just don't really work at getting better.

And why would they? If talent comes naturally, why waste time seeking minor improvement?

At some point—and I can't find any exception to this—naturally talented people are passed by people who choose talent.

So how do you choose talent?

When you focus all of your energy in one direction for an uncommonly long period of time, you develop talent.

That's the secret. That's how you choose talent. And anybody can do it!

Results follow obsession.

When you passionately obsess over something, you will get better at it. Perfect? No. Seek progress, not mastery. But when you choose talent, results always follow.