Ep 182: Understanding the Difference Between Talents and Skills
In life and business, we often find ourselves comparing our abilities to those around us. It's common to look at someone and think that they are just naturally talented and gifted with an ability that we lack. However, what we may perceive as talent could be more accurately described as a skill.
Talents are innate abilities that we are born with. They're the things we're naturally good at without much effort or practice. These individuals have a natural affinity towards certain activities, and it often seems as though these abilities come effortlessly to them. This concept can be seen in both humans and horses. Some horses are naturally disposed to having strengths in certain areas or disciplines that others do not.
Skills, on the other hand, are abilities that are developed through conscious effort over a period of time. To me, habits and skills have very similar definitions. That is why habits are so closely connected to the development of skills. Habits are the things that shape and transform your skills.
If we expect to become skilled at anything in life, we must commit the time it takes to develop those skills. Tony Robbins said, “We often overestimate what we can do in a day and underestimate what we can do in a year.” And, boy, is that a true statement. The value of time is a crucial component in the development of our skills.
In life and horsemanship, we’re often tempted to focus on the things that we are bad at. We think that if we overcome our weaknesses and get “good” at them, that’s how we will differentiate ourselves. The things that we are bad at–or should I say not naturally “talented” at– can often come across as limiters that are holding us back from where we are to where we want to be. But the good news about these “weaknesses” is that they are simply skills that we have yet to develop. Skills can be taught. Talents cannot.
While some individuals have a natural talent for riding and communicating with horses, most riders develop their skills over time through consistent practice and a willingness to learn. Skilled horsemanship requires commitment, dedication, and hard work to develop effective communication with your horse and navigate the challenges of the training journey. Mastering the development of skills can help you reach the next level in your life, business, horsemanship, or any other personal pursuit. All you have to do is identify the skill you want to develop, create a system for how to develop it, and commit the time to repetition.
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