Having an ability for something or a talent for it are two different things, but at which point does an ability become a talent? When we first try something, whether it is playing the guitar, skateboarding, painting, writing, or solving math problems, we struggle as we learn the basics. But once we’ve mastered the foundational concepts, we can proceed to learning more advanced ones. After that, we can take those advanced concepts and apply it in ways that transcend the ability of the average person.
In other words, talent is something that takes time to develop, time to grow. We start off knowing nothing, and as we learn, we slowly grasp the basics. Over time, if we stay committed to practicing and improving a skill, it shows itself as talent once we can do it easily and at a more advanced level than even someone who is already proficient.
But it could be said that all of us have talent for the things that come easy to us–the things that we don’t even use competitively or for show. For example, we might have a talent for reading if we’ve read hundreds of books, for accomplishing the tasks at our job (given all the experience we have), or for cooking or making repairs in our home. But those aren’t things we brag about or share with others. They’re just things we do normally–day-to-day–and we do them sometimes without even thinking about them.
Society regards talent as something that must be on display, such as in a contest or a sports or music competition. Or it might measure talent based on the success someone has in a field, since very few have reached their level of success. But those standards measure talent by accolades and wealth, not by virtue of the talent itself. In essence, we all have talent, but we often use it in ways that are quiet and meaningful to us or those around us than for the world to see.
Fallton Havenstonne 