The following contains excerpts from the book, Talent Is Never Enough (John Maxwell).
At our music school in Odessa, Texas we believe that music is not sound only, rather, it is relationships. The essence of music is in the interaction that happens between participants, and one of the most important subjects to understand when dealing with relationships is that of Leadership.
This book’s main premise is that, though talent is important in our lives, it alone cannot last unless it is undergirded and supported with traits of integrity and character. Even though talent, in our society, is lifted up and admired, it ultimately is doomed to failure without strong core values and daily disciplines. Seemingly talent is a rarity; however, as the book reveals, talent is very common. Everyone has some form of talent and capability that is unique. What is not plenteous; however, are people who are willing to subject their talents to the disciplines of development.
Maxwell states, “People who neglect to make the right choices to release and maximize their talent continually underperform. Their talent gives them an opportunity, but their wrong choices can shut the door.”
At our music school in Odessa, Texas we encourage students to lean to these strengths, but to develop their talents successfully, they will of necessity learn patience, focus, consistency, and commitment.
Maxwell gives 13 characteristics that should be added to talent to make a “talent plus” person:
- Belief lifts your talent- the first and greatest obstacle to success for most people is their belief in themselves. a) Believe in your potential. b) Believe in yourself. c) Believe in your mission. There are two kinds of people in the world: a) those who want to get things done, and b) those who don’t want to make mistakes. If you’re the first type, then you already expect to believe in yourself and take risks.
- Passion energizes your talent- talent doesn’t carry people to the top- it’s passion. A passionate person with limited talent will outperform a passive person who possesses greater talent. a) Passion is the first step to achievement. b) Passion increases willpower. c) Passion produces energy. d) Passion is the foundation fro excellence. e) Passion is the key to success. “Every great and commanding movement in the annals of the world is due to the triumph of enthusiasm.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson) f) Passion makes a person contagious. Protect your passion. In truth there are two kinds of people: “firelighters,” who will go out of their way to help you keep you fire hot, and “firefighters,” who will throw cold water on you passion.
- Initiative activates your talent. a) Initiative is the first step to anywhere you want to go. b) Initiative closes the door to fear. c) Initiative opens the door to opportunity. “It’s better to be 80 percent sure and make things happen than it is to wait until you are 100 percent sure, because the opportunity will have already passed you.” c) Initiative eases life’s difficulties. d) Initiative is often the difference between success and failure.
- Focus directs your talent- Focus increases your energy. If you desire to achieve something, you first need to know what your target is. Attempting everything, like attempting nothing, will such the life out of you. a) Be intentional, make every action count. b) Challenge your excuses. c) Don’t let yesterday hijack you attention. d) Focus on the present. e) Stay focused on results. Anytime you concentrate on the difficulty of the work at hand instead of its results or rewards, you’re likely to become discouraged. By focusing on result, you will find it easier to stay positive and encouraged.
One of the most important lessons we can teach students at our music school in Odessa, Texas is the value of focus. There are many distractions in our world today, but in order to successfully grow in music and the arts, it requires the student’s undivided attention.
- Preparation positions your talent- Why do so many people fail to prepare? a) They fail to see the value of preparation before action. b) They fail to appreciate the value of discipline.
- Practice sharpens your talent- You play at the level at which you practice. The power of practice is summed up in the phrase, ‘a little extra’. a) A little extra effort. b) A little extra time. c) A little extra help. d) A little extra change.
When studying music at our music school in Odessa, Texas, the student will come to have first-hand experience of the value of preparation and practice, and the life-lesson that comes from this valuable character trait.
- Perseverance sustains your talent- perseverance in not an issue of time or talent. Perseverance is about finishing. a) Perseverance means succeeding because you are determined to, not destined to. b) Perseverance recognizes life is not a ling race, but many short ones in succession. c) Perseverance is needed to release most of life’s rewards. It’s said that Walt Disney’s request for a loan was rejected by 301 banks before he finally got approval. d) Perseverance draws sweetness out of adversity. e) Perseverance has a compounding effect on life. f) Perseverance means stopping not because you’re tired by because the task is done. g) Perseverance doesn’t demand more than we have, but all that we have. The 5 enemies of perseverance: a) A lifestyle of giving up. b) A wrong belief that life should be easy. c) A wrong belief that success is a destination. d) A lack of resiliency. e) A lack of vision.
- Courage tests your talent- people think of courage as a quality required only in times of extreme danger or stress, such as during war or disaster. But it is much larger than that- and more ordinary than we think. Courage is an everyday virtue. The person who exhibits courage is able to live without regrets.
- Teach-ability expands your talent- Leonardo da Vinci’s talent was extraordinary- but so was his teach-ability. His notebooks are a physical record of a mind that never stopped discovering and never ceased learning. Teach-ability is an attitude. Talented people can be the toughest to teach, due to pride, which is the number 1 hindrance to being teachable. To overcome pride: a) Recognize and admit your pride. b) Express gratitude often. c) Laugh at yourself.
Students at our music school in Odessa, Texas will make exponential progress once they humble themselves to acquire knowledge in areas they recognize they need help and coaching. No one can know everything. We all need coaches and teachers in areas of our greatest needs.
- Character protects your talent- character creates a foundation upon which the structure of your talent and life can build. If there are cracks in the foundation, you cannot build much. Character communicates consistency, communicates choices, and communicates longevity. a) Don’t give up or give in to adversity. b) Do the right thing. c) Take control of your life. Your character is always your choice.
- Relationships influence your talent- nothing will influence your talent as much as the important relationships in your life. Note whether a person makes you feel better or worse about yourself: Critics complain or give unwanted advice. Wet blankets are pessimistic and habitually negative. Gossips spread rumors and lead secrets. Control freaks are unable to let go and let things be. Backstabbers are irrepressibly two-faced. Relationships usually go through 4 stages: a) Surface relationships, b) structured relationships, c) secure relationships, and d) solid relationships.
Our core belief at our music school in Odessa, Texas is that relationships are important and valuable. When learning to play music with others in ensembles, many life-lessons are learned: learning how to listen to someone else, learning to carry your own part successfully yet not becoming only focused on yourself, and learning to experience the exponential power of teamwork.
- Responsibility strengthens your talent- nothing adds ‘muscle’ to talent like responsibility. It lifts talent to a new level and increases its stamina. To develop responsibility: a) Start wherever you are, b) Choose your friends wisely, c) Stop blaming others, d) Learn responsibility’s major lessons (gaining success means practicing self-discipline, finish what you start, know when others are depending on you, and don’t expect others to step in for you), e) Make tough decisions and stand by them.
- Teamwork multiplies your talent- Teamwork divides the effort and multiplies the effect. Talent wins games, but teamwork wins championships. Teamwork is not about you. Great teams create community. Community is defined not by the absence of disagreements, but by the presence of a reconciling spirit. Adding value to others adds value to you.
The reality is that there never has been nor will there ever be a talent shortage, but rather there is a shortage of people who are willing to take the talent that they have and develop it through expanding character.