Introduction
Talent isn’t something we are taught. Talent, is something we recognize within ourselves as a result of practical application in a particular chosen field. Some of us do well in our pursuit of greatness, and some not so well. We may try very hard to perfect our attempts at mastering a certain activity, yet, seem to fail timelessly. As a result of our failures, we can easily rationalize those doing better as born naturals; we see them as people with natural gifts, and we can easily reduce to feelings of inadequacy, becoming uncertain about our own capabilities. However, science teaches talent isn’t a gift born within, and instead, developed in a series of stages. And with time, patience and consistency, does one come to master his field of endeavor.
Myelin: The True Mother Of Skill
Every human skill, whether it is playing an instrument or kicking a ball, is created by a chain of nerve fibers that carry a small electrical impulse. Myelin, which is a mixture of protein and phospholipids forms a sheath around our nerve fibers; the thicker myelin gets, the faster and more accurate our movements and thoughts become. Every human on the planet can grow myelin, and we do so more swiftly during childhood, but also throughout life; it’s growth allows all manner of skills, mental and physical. Skill can be defined as a cellular insulation that wraps neural circuits, and grows in response to certain signals. The more time and energy you put into practice of what you are trying to achieve the more myelin you create; this process applies to all those we consider talented.
Entering The Unknown
Before attempting to accomplish any skill, we are firstly outsiders to it; we have prejudgments and an element of fear about the process and our minds have not yet established a relationship with it. Although we may have excitement and enthusiasm for acquiring a new skill, most of us become uncomfortable as we become aware of the hard work ahead of us. If one can manage these uncomfortable emotions and allow time to take its course, one will find something remarkable begins to shape. Myelin get’s thicker, and the brain develops a strong relationship with the process at hand. In time, what was once unfamiliar and vexatious becomes a process we can do effortlessly.
Unlocking Inner Greatness
Every man and woman desires to acquire great skills to affect the world around him or her in some way. However, many often feel trapped by their limitations of consciousness. Simply put: If one is unaware of his own capabilities and the power of his own mind, he may find it easier to try and short-circuit the learning process by the use of drugs, incantations and prayer. Those who are more aware of their capabilities and have a self-belief in what they can accomplish, usually devote themselves to mastering the subject. It is common for people to lose themselves in a fantasy of becoming talented by the use of shortcut methods. Ancient wisdom reveals a change in attitude can attract the right energy, allowing us to achieve greatness by the virtues of thought. However, the true power we possess and mostly ignore – the same power used throughout history to build magnificent buildings and paint works of fine art – is of course: the power of practice, patience and persistence (PPP).
The Work Of Six-Million Years: Our Mind
People have come to believe talent is inaccessible. They see it as a product of the privileged or something magical within. But this idea is only imaginary, because the real secret of talent is supported by six-million years of development. Our brain, is in fact, designed to lead us into developing great skills and to become masters of our chosen field. Now, if all of us are born with essentially the same brain, why does the world show a limited number of talented people you may ask? Well, the truth is: talent is everywhere, it is just unrecognized. People across the planet have developed skills no different to some of the great minds we have admired throughout history. We must consider in order to become truly great, practice, patience and persistence must be applied, and it is a rare faculty among the average population.
The Facts Of Myelin
Myelin – mentioned earlier – does not respond to vague information; the mechanism is built to respond to actions; it responds to urgent repetition. Myelin is universal and cares only for what you do. It does not unwrap, meaning: once a skill circuit is insulated, you can’t un-insulate it. And this is why habits are hard to break. The only way to change habits is to repeat new behaviors. Age also accounts for myelin, as it arrives in a series of waves when we are young. This is why the majority of world-experts start off young. However, we still continue to experience a net gain of myelin until we are 50. But as you may know, those who try to learn a new language or try to pick up an instrument later in life have a much harder time.
Before Attempting New Skills
Before attempting new skills, we must first, see it as something necessary and positive. Relying on genetics and technology will not allow us to become more efficient in our attempts to master new skills. We must realize we all get the brain we deserve through our actions. The amount of work we put in is precisely what we get out of it. We must be willing to go the distance. This is what all great achievers have managed to preserve. Lastly, we must never see ourselves as accomplished, but always remain in a state of learning. No person is ever accomplished at great skill, for there is always room for more. Thinking we are skilfully accomplished because of one single dose of appraisal from an outsider does not make us so. We must be willing to always strengthen the skills we have to become truly great.
What We Have Learned
We learned talent and skill are not something magical born within, but a series of stages that take place. We learned skill is built by a chain of nerve fibers that carry a small electric impulse, and myelin is the key to its strength. Practice and devotion are needed to become great, and most people are ready to give up once they become aware of the work involved. We also realize talent is always around us, yet goes unrecognized. The bottom line is: If you wish to become better at what you do, or wish to develop new skills and reveal the signs of what outsiders call ‘talent,’ this will require you to devote time and patience to mastering the process. And if you wish to be truly great, you must live for it.
