An illusion busted

I've carried around the illusion that talent and determination are enough for achieving great success. This illusion has been lovingly petted, fed, discussed, nurtured.

The blind spot, or sleight of hand, of this illusion is the definition of "determination". For some reason, I've had the notion that this meant simply "doing". If I was doing something a lot it meant I cared about it and would magically acquire facility and ... well ... some form of great success would occur.

Look at that Tiger guy -- he plays golf every day. Isn't that a perfect example of determination?

However, I've read about Tiger Woods and I know that he does much more than "play" golf every day. He studies golf videos, other golfers, golf courses. He improves a skill by studying the parts of it and experimenting. Then he systematically applies what he's learned, sometimes re-training his body and mind for years to accomplish a small change with far-reaching results.

This picture of Tiger Woods is not of just a "determined" person. He doesn't just practice golf, he studies it. He thinks about it. He experiments with it. He researches it. The picture I'm describing is of learning. Tiger Woods is the quintessential "learner of golf". He's been learning gimmicks and tools all his life. He's been studying and experimenting. It's what he does.

Talent is probably helpful. I suspect Tiger Woods has a talent for physical ability. Sophia Hammond had a talent for visual ability. And Abe Lincoln had a talent for politics.

However, the person who excels, who achieves high quality success, is also a superior learner. They are willing to study, research and experiment in their chosen field. They are willing to fail because they just learn and go on. Their success is built on the research, study and experimentation that they're willing to acquire. When they stop learning is when they retire.

This is extremely liberating for me as I take on my storytelling career.
1) I can throw away the haunting specter of "practice". I've never been good at practicing anything. so I assumed that I could never be "good" at anything. "Practice makes perfect" meant I could never, ever achieve perfection. Now I won't worry about practicing. I don't practice anyway, and I'm thinking Tiger Woods doesn't either.

2) I am a great learner. I am very good at research, studying, and experimenting. I learn many different ways and I love the process of learning. I am already a quintessential learner.

3) If good learning, combined with some talent, can achieve great success, then I am "perfectly" positioned. :)

This was a nice revelation today: Talent + Learning = Great Success.