This week we attempt to clear up the meaning of 'talent' and why we believe it can be a harmful concept if too much emphasis is placed on it, especially at an early stage of learning. 

We give some background about growth mindset and the 10,000 hour 'rule' and how those things can be applied sensibly in practice. 

We discuss how the term 'talent' has become so widely used and accepted with few people ever being critical of it's potential drawbacks. 

We think about how to distinguish between 'talent', genetics and skill and how making understanding the difference between those things could help bring about success through developing a growth mindset. 

We try to give examples from sport that demonstrate that success often lies in how ones skills are nurtured rather than the cards they are dealt with at birth, while acknowledging that genetics are of course in important, in some sports more than others. 


Finally, we attempt to conclude with some take home messages for youngsters listening and the coaches, teachers, parents involved in their development. 

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Bibliography:
In this episode we discuss issues that are more extensively written about in the following books:

Mindset by Carol Dweck 
Bounce by Mathew Syed
The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle 
The Sports Gene by David Epstein