Talent Vs. Hard Work: Developing Skills With A Growth Mindset

When it comes to talent vs. hard work, many people wonder about the value of innate ability compared to hard work and determination. In this article, explore hard work vs. talent and the potential impact of a growth mindset. Discover tips for when to keep going and when to pivot, and learn when professional support can be beneficial.

Talent vs. hard work

The research community has long shown an interest in the topic of natural ability versus working hard. Many studies have aimed to pinpoint the relative importance of these two factors. Some have found that people can actually be trained to acquire certain abilities that have traditionally been thought of as innate, ranging from emotional intelligence to perfect pitch. Although updated research may be needed, and science is always evolving, one study trained twenty-four children without perfect pitch until they possessed this skill, which seems to support the idea that you don’t have to be born with a talent—you can develop it with hard work.

However, others argue that this study proves that there must be another element at play: genetic factors, for example. For instance, the children in the perfect-pitch study took anywhere from two to eight years to develop the skill. This may be reflective of the fact that some people take a lot more time and training than others to achieve the same skill level. This is the basis of the argument for the “multifactorial” view of expertise, which says that training is a required part of becoming an expert at something, but that genetic factors (being naturally gifted, in other words) may play an important role at every stage of the process.

Even if you’re not born with a certain talent, you can succeed in developing significant expertise in it through training. It can be important to realize that even talented people still tend to spend plenty of time practicing their skills in order to become experts. Hard work may be key either way, but there’s another part of the equation for success that’s often overlooked: mindset. The story a person tells themselves about their skills and capacity for improvement can have a significant impact.

What is talent? What is hard work?

Talent can be described as natural skill or aptitude. It can also be seen as an innate ability to do something–artistic, physical, cognitive, or otherwise–from a young age. Meanwhile, hard work usually involves determination, dedication, and consistent effort. 

Growth mindset vs. fixed mindset

Having a growth mindset means that you believe in malleability when it comes to the following:

• Intelligence
• Talents
• Abilities

While people with a growth mindset believe these things can be learned and improved through hard work and practice, those with a fixed mindset believe intelligence, talents, and abilities are inherently fixed and can’t be changed over time.

Since research suggests that these traits can be changed over time and with effort, the growth mindset can apply to many situations, regardless of your natural talents. Research also shows that whether you have a growth mindset can impact how well you’re able to build new skills and talents.

In other words, believing that the skills and natural abilities you’re born with are the only ones you’ll ever be able to have can become a self-fulfilling prophecy in many cases—as can the reverse. Let’s take a look at some findings from a 2018 study that looked at students with a growth mindset against a control group:

• Post-error accuracy. Learners who have a growth mindset tend to be better at both catching errors in their performance and receiving constructive feedback. They were also shown to perform with higher accuracy after making mistakes.
• Resilience in the learning process. Students like the ones studied generally don’t like to take risks that show their weaknesses, but the growth mindset can balance this fear. The study found that growth-minded students are “more resilient and self-managed when faced with obstacles or challenges during their learning process.”
• Motivation. There appears to be a positive correlation between people having “intrinsic motivation for performing a task at work or school” and their performance on that task, and the growth mindset can have a positive impact on this type of motivation.

In summary, the researchers state that “the promotion of a growth mindset can nurture individuals to learn.” This conclusion may emphasize the power of one’s own mind.

Defining success

Something else to think about when approaching the topic of hard work versus talent is how you define success. Success can look different for everyone, and holding yourself to a standard that doesn’t interest or excite you is generally quite unlikely to motivate you to keep going on your path to skill acquisition. All the talent in the world may not make up for a lack of investment in what you’re trying to accomplish. Since motivation typically correlates to performance, this factor may be worth considering.

What does success mean to you? 

• Is it about being better than everyone else in the field? 
• Does it mean being at the top of your personal abilities and engaging in activities that make you happy? 
• Is it enough to know that you’ve worked hard and have improved your skills as a result? 

Think about what you really want to prioritize. If you are trying to take home the Olympic gold medal in a sport or game you’ve just picked up, you may have to accept that those who have the combination of natural talent plus years of practice will likely have a head start. Opening yourself up to other definitions of success can help you glean joy and satisfaction from the learning process rather than focusing on where your skills are lacking in comparison to others.

Why it’s common to reward natural talent

People often admire natural talent, potentially due to the naturalness bias, which is thought to operate subconsciously. The naturalness bias describes a tendency to prefer things that are “natural,” whether that refers to products, talents, or foods. A talented person who appears to be naturally gifted is often revered more than someone at a similar level who had to put in years of hard work to get to the same place. 

Most people don’t realize this bias exists and, when asked, may say that they value hard work over talent. It’s thought that the naturalness bias can have significant effects when it comes to evaluation and hiring processes. A preference for apparent naturals can be seen in childhood and may continue throughout adulthood.

The hard part: When effort does not seem to pay off

It often takes time and consistent effort to improve at a given skill or activity. Some people may improve more rapidly than others, and it can be difficult if it seems like you’re not achieving the same results as other people despite putting in similar amounts of effort. Keep in mind that simple repetition may not always yield the results you’re seeking. The quality of your practice may be more important than the quantity. The quote, “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration,” often attributed to Thomas Edison, may renew your motivation.

Signs you should not give up

If you’re passionate about what you’re doing or simply enjoy it, then there’s generally no reason to stop. However, if you’re considering giving up, you might look at the skills you’re building. Do you still have the desire to realize your full potential in this particular area? Even if progress is slow, the hours you’ve put in have likely made an impact. Recognizing the ways in which your hard work has paid off may renew your motivation.

When “giving up” is actually a healthy choice

“Giving up” doesn’t necessarily indicate failure. Instead, you might think of it as pivoting to a new goal that is better aligned with your skills and interests. In some cases, continuing to strive for success in an area where your efforts don’t seem to pay off may eventually lead to stress and burnout. It may be helpful to realize that you get to write your own story, and determination may help you find a more rewarding path. A therapist may be able to help you recognize areas where your energy may be better spent.

Tips for improving a skill, talent, or ability

Hard work is often a crucial part of improving a skill, talent, or ability, regardless of what level of proficiency may come naturally to you. What else can you do to help yourself along in the process? Here are a few tips.

1. Ask for (and accept) feedback

Research from 2020 shows that feedback can have a positive impact on cognitive and motor skills, though not as much on motivational and behavioral outcomes. This tracks with the research referenced previously about motivation being important for skill acquisition and being positively impacted by a student’s growth mindset. To actually improve cognitive or motor skills, receiving, accepting, and applying constructive feedback is likely important.

2. Watch your language

There’s been significant research on the power of self-talk, or the way individuals speak to themselves. Many studies have focused on applying the power of self-talk in sports settings. One study tested it with young athletes. Its findings suggest that positive self-talk improved task performance, reduced anxiety, and moderately increased self-confidence in the athletes who employed it. It may be related to the growth mindset: Believing you can do well at or improve at something can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

3. Learn from your mistakes

The best actors, musicians, and athletes usually practice their craft in order to stay ahead, even when they encounter obstacles. Don’t be afraid to fail and make mistakes along the way; they’re often a crucial part of the learning and growth process, and they may help you discover new methods of accomplishing your goals. After all, only pursuing activities you can perform perfectly from day one would likely be quite limiting.

4. Be willing to move the goalposts

If you’ve tried all of the above, have put in the time and effort, and are still struggling to get to the finish line, you may want to consider adjusting your goal. Remember the point above about defining success. Is your goal what you really believe you should be working toward? Was it actually set by someone else? Is it realistic for you? These questions may lead to a helpful adjustment in your desired endpoint. You might also find that your overall vision is realistic, but your timeline is not. Breaking your end goal into smaller pieces that you can achieve one by one over time may help.

Shifting to a more positive mindset can take effort and determination. If you’d like support in developing more positive self-talk, building your self-confidence, or shifting your perspective on your own skills and abilities, you might consider speaking with a therapist who may help with all of the above. Most people can benefit from professional support in overcoming roadblocks and achieving their goals.

If online therapy would be more comfortable or convenient for you than speaking to a therapist face-to-face, platforms like BetterHelp can connect you with a therapist whom you can speak to virtually. Since research suggests that virtual therapy produces comparable outcomes to in-person therapy, it’s an option that some people choose when they decide to seek the help of a counselor. Whether in person or online, a licensed mental health professional may be able to help you shift your mindset so you have a better chance of achieving your goals.