By Wayne Goldsmith
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Three Important Things to Remember:
* Talent is what people see on the surface - character is what creates champions;
* The most "talented" kids often quit first when things get difficult;
* Persistence beats talent when talent doesn't persist.
Stop telling your kid they're talented. Seriously. Stop it right now.
I've worked with Olympic gold medalists and world champions for thirty years. When I ask them what made them successful, "talent" never makes the top five. Know what does? Stubbornness. Curiosity. Resilience. The ability to get smashed and come back for more.
Your "talented" kid might have natural ability, but here's what talent really teaches them: that success should come easily. When it doesn't - and it won't at higher levels - they fold like a cheap tent.
Meanwhile, the "untalented" kid learns something infinitely more valuable: that improvement comes from effort, failure teaches lessons and persistence conquers everything.
I've seen thousands of "naturally gifted" athletes plateau and quit. I've also seen "ordinary" kids with extraordinary determination become world champions. The difference isn't what they were born with - it's what they chose to develop.
Talent is your starting point, not your destination. Character is your vehicle, effort is your fuel and persistence is your navigation system.
Summary: Talent creates early success and eventual plateaus - character and persistence create champions.
Two Practical Tips:
* Praise Process Not Product: Say "I love how you kept trying different approaches" instead of "You're so naturally good at this"
* Celebrate Struggles: When your kid faces difficulties, say "Perfect - this is where real improvement happens" instead of making excuses
Wayne Goldsmith
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Check out Wayne's new book THE TALENT MYTH - WHY TALENT ISN'T WORTH SH&T - available now on AMAZON BOOKS https://www.amazon.com/Talent-Myth-Isnt-Worth-S**t/dp/0987155733/
