Dear ,
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Welcome to Issue 272. The mission of "Marvelous Mondays" is to offer an inspirational thought, a practical exercise, some humor, or a simple tip to jump-start your week and to enhance your life, business, outlook or relationships.
Please feel free to forward "Marvelous Mondays" to others who will enjoy it.
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TALENT DEFINED-NATURE VS. NURTURE
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- Merriam-Webster defines talent as "a special ability that allows someone to do something well"
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Geoff Colvin, Fortune's Senior Editor at Large, uses the word talent in the meaning given by Francis Galton (cousin of Charles Darwin) as "natural gifts". Galton also coined the phrase "nature versus nurture".
In this series we will be using the word talent in the Colvin/Galton sense.
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TALENT ADVOCATES VS. TALENT SKEPTICS-WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE
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Talent Advocates
If we believe that talent is a natural gift, then we will have a tendency to develop only talents that seem natural or easy to us; and we will resist making efforts to develop skills that are difficult. Likewise, if we believe talent is nature versus nurture, we will discourage our children from believing that they can excel in certain studies, sports, arts that do not come easily to them. Those holding this opinion are called "talent advocates".
Talent Skeptics
According to the opinion of some authors and researchers, there is no convincing evidence that great performers are made by nature or their natural gifts. Those holding this opinion are called "talent skeptics". They are inclined to work on developing skills that are difficult for them. They also will encourage their children to develop skills that do not come easy.
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EXERCISE
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This week I invite you to reflect on the following:
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Do you have an opinion if we are born with talent?
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What's your opinion of the nature vs. nurture concept?
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