Talent is only a starting point

“Talent is not enough” is one of things we regularly say at K2. What we mean is that your talent will only get you so far, but unless you recognise that talent is only a starting point, and that talent alone will only get you so far, then you will never achieve your full potential.

As John Wooden, legendary basketball coach once said: “Don’t measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability.”

Matthew Syed’s recently published book Bounce, makes this point expertly and precisely. Syed is convinced that it’s not talent that enables people to succeed but rather purposeful practice and a desire to improve. Syed’s book is a great read and thoroughly recommended. So to get better, work hard, seek feedback, stretch yourself, have a great attitude towards mistakes and failure, utilise an expert coach and adopt a mindset of growth.