First off, I want to review the format itself (story episodes vs. marketing episodes vs. this). I'm not sure how to categorize this, so forgive me if it comes across unintentionally glib. That's not what I'm trying to do.
I enjoy ALL the episodes. In listening to the first part of today's show, I considered what, if any, category I would say, "Yeah, Jody, *this* is expendable while the other(s) isn't (aren't)."
I couldn't find one.
I enjoy all the episodes. That they are diverse and unlike each other is the point. They bring value. They matter. Hear me when I say this, Jody, because I mean it with everything: TRBM has tremendous value. These shows are why I have now created an "Admin Day" in my routine. Until recently, it was up every morning, Monday through Sunday (so, really, every morning) at 6am, grab coffee, and...WORK. Writing, editing, marketing...wherever I am in the spectrum. But I struggled from an organizational standpoint to take a day to stand back and do the "things."
Having Jody's podcast every Monday+ has given me a day to listen, let the content simmer as I reflect on it, and then handle the other things in life that matter - cleaning the house, reading, paying the bills, etc. As a creature of habit, it's difficult for me to change focus during the day. Simply put, whatever I start out doing at 6am is what my day looks like. Any distraction derails me. Thus, Jody's podcast gives me a day. It gives me food for thought. Stimulates my creativity and various perspectives. Introduces me to others in the writing community. Challenges me to do more than I'm doing - both as a writer and as a marketer.
Whatever the topic, be it marketing, storytelling, or the brainstorming/deep discussion/perspective topic that today's episode was, it resonates. Jody's in a tough position, because he's not only a talented writer, but he has something to say to the rest of us. Selfishly, I fret every time he discusses possibly changing or eliminating something, or backing off to write. I mean - yeah, write, but don't leave the rest of us hanging!
So as to format, I did love this episode. To me, it spoke to the core writing community - the real one, not the posers. The actively writing members. It's a deep dive into the hard topics we all struggle with. It separates the passive, "Yeah, I wanna write a book and isn't so funny to post memes about procrastination" from the "I'm on my 3489 revision and I'm stressed out because I have a deadline!" folks. Either way, it's now part of the TRBM menu, to me. I loved it. I want more. And longer.
Second, today's topic.
I disagree that everyone has talent. Well, let me explain that. I disagree that everyone has the "same" talent. I believe we're all given things - but not the same things. To use Jody's analogy of all the things he could do to become a jockey: that's not talent. That's sawing down the round peg to fit into the square hole. And that's intention, not "talent."
Like too many things these days, many words have lost their true meaning. I may want to be an NBA player, but I'm a short woman with bad coordination (seriously - can't dance, either though I am a rabid music lover). I may want to be singer but not be able to carry a tune. There are all manner of things I might want to be. That doesn't mean I have a talent for it. I may be able to work past my lack of talent to overcome it by sheer will and deep intention, but that isn't the same thing as talent. A talented artist may be able to create great works of art from the womb, while another artist who lives for their vocation may have had a real struggle to learn. And that's not even going into the "it" factor the has so much to do with the arts in all their many forms.
Without outing myself here on a point that I'd prefer to keep private (though Jody can ask privately if he wants to know), I believe that writing talent is the same. There are those who may be able to create a story and write it well without having been trained or having taken a lot of classes or obtaining a degree. I also believe there are people with all manner of writing-related degrees who can't concoct a cohesive, well-written tale that draws readers.
I'm not sure why we have to insist that everyone has talent. Talent is like being lauded for having green eyes. It's something you were born with. A gift. But intention and focus and hard work and the will to overcome a lack of inherent "talent" to produce great work is something to be not only encouraged, but applauded.
This is my strong opinion. I'm sure there are plenty of folks who will disagree with my comment, which is fine. Jody probably disagrees, too, given today's show.
That said, GREAT episode. I loved it. Sincerely. I'll never say I did if I didn't.
If anything, it would be great to have guests on shows like this to debate and discuss the topics - either as a follow up to an episode like this, or as part of the episode itself. Either way, it's great. It makes people think. Spurs them on. Draws them in. And, likely, helps them work.
I wanted to sit on your comment for a while, Heather. There's so much to digest, I won't do it all justice. I'd start by saying you and I agree more than we disagree.
So I want to parse out what I mean when I say everyone has talent. As humans, we all sit atop the pyramid of ability. We can exist in roughly all environments and thrive in them too. We can subject all other forms of life to our desires.
I might not have the brute strength of a tiger, but give me tools and I can kill a tiger reliably. It couldn't gain an upper hand if given those same tools.
My belief is that talent is green eyes, and that too aligns with your thinking. You mentioned our talents laying in different areas. You are a talented writer. Farin is a talented singer. Luke is a talented observer. And with precise and masterful discipling, any of these people could become masterful at any of the skills mentioned.
But talent is just one of a gazillion genetic factors we face in our lives. Body size, shape, fine motor skills, all these exist in various quantities and ranges. No matter how talented a short woman is, she can't compete in the NBA (or it's yet to be seen), because men are naturally bigger and more muscular.
At the highest levels, talent is a difference-maker. Shaved legs made the difference when Michael Phelps competed with Ryan Lockte in an olympic swimming pool, but I have no need to shave my legs, because I swim to slow for it to change the outcome.
Much like my size if trying to race horses.
Where I take issue is that there are too many people who quit far sooner than they should, blaming a lack of talent for their choice.
I guess I would rather live my life believing I've got the talent to achieve my dreams than to give up because so far all signs point toward a lack of talent.
I think you're right that we're closer in our thinking than we are apart. I also think that if folks give up, that may be saying something as well.
I was a singer growing up. Started recording at 14. But unlike writing, which came about due to a traumatic event, I never stuck with singing. As much as I love music, it was quite shocking that I would give up so easily - I'd had the talent. I was even slated to audition for the manager of the Four Tops at one point. But I didn't have the necessary drive. Maybe talent doesn't mean everything. Maybe drive is as important. But that would be a circular argument to what your point was.
I've rewritten a final thought on the above about 4 times, and nothing comes out the way I want it to. But know that I hear you and really admire your optimism and your take on this subject.
Okay...
:::rolling up sleeves:::
First off, I want to review the format itself (story episodes vs. marketing episodes vs. this). I'm not sure how to categorize this, so forgive me if it comes across unintentionally glib. That's not what I'm trying to do.
I enjoy ALL the episodes. In listening to the first part of today's show, I considered what, if any, category I would say, "Yeah, Jody, *this* is expendable while the other(s) isn't (aren't)."
I couldn't find one.
I enjoy all the episodes. That they are diverse and unlike each other is the point. They bring value. They matter. Hear me when I say this, Jody, because I mean it with everything: TRBM has tremendous value. These shows are why I have now created an "Admin Day" in my routine. Until recently, it was up every morning, Monday through Sunday (so, really, every morning) at 6am, grab coffee, and...WORK. Writing, editing, marketing...wherever I am in the spectrum. But I struggled from an organizational standpoint to take a day to stand back and do the "things."
Having Jody's podcast every Monday+ has given me a day to listen, let the content simmer as I reflect on it, and then handle the other things in life that matter - cleaning the house, reading, paying the bills, etc. As a creature of habit, it's difficult for me to change focus during the day. Simply put, whatever I start out doing at 6am is what my day looks like. Any distraction derails me. Thus, Jody's podcast gives me a day. It gives me food for thought. Stimulates my creativity and various perspectives. Introduces me to others in the writing community. Challenges me to do more than I'm doing - both as a writer and as a marketer.
Whatever the topic, be it marketing, storytelling, or the brainstorming/deep discussion/perspective topic that today's episode was, it resonates. Jody's in a tough position, because he's not only a talented writer, but he has something to say to the rest of us. Selfishly, I fret every time he discusses possibly changing or eliminating something, or backing off to write. I mean - yeah, write, but don't leave the rest of us hanging!
So as to format, I did love this episode. To me, it spoke to the core writing community - the real one, not the posers. The actively writing members. It's a deep dive into the hard topics we all struggle with. It separates the passive, "Yeah, I wanna write a book and isn't so funny to post memes about procrastination" from the "I'm on my 3489 revision and I'm stressed out because I have a deadline!" folks. Either way, it's now part of the TRBM menu, to me. I loved it. I want more. And longer.
Second, today's topic.
I disagree that everyone has talent. Well, let me explain that. I disagree that everyone has the "same" talent. I believe we're all given things - but not the same things. To use Jody's analogy of all the things he could do to become a jockey: that's not talent. That's sawing down the round peg to fit into the square hole. And that's intention, not "talent."
Like too many things these days, many words have lost their true meaning. I may want to be an NBA player, but I'm a short woman with bad coordination (seriously - can't dance, either though I am a rabid music lover). I may want to be singer but not be able to carry a tune. There are all manner of things I might want to be. That doesn't mean I have a talent for it. I may be able to work past my lack of talent to overcome it by sheer will and deep intention, but that isn't the same thing as talent. A talented artist may be able to create great works of art from the womb, while another artist who lives for their vocation may have had a real struggle to learn. And that's not even going into the "it" factor the has so much to do with the arts in all their many forms.
Without outing myself here on a point that I'd prefer to keep private (though Jody can ask privately if he wants to know), I believe that writing talent is the same. There are those who may be able to create a story and write it well without having been trained or having taken a lot of classes or obtaining a degree. I also believe there are people with all manner of writing-related degrees who can't concoct a cohesive, well-written tale that draws readers.
I'm not sure why we have to insist that everyone has talent. Talent is like being lauded for having green eyes. It's something you were born with. A gift. But intention and focus and hard work and the will to overcome a lack of inherent "talent" to produce great work is something to be not only encouraged, but applauded.
This is my strong opinion. I'm sure there are plenty of folks who will disagree with my comment, which is fine. Jody probably disagrees, too, given today's show.
That said, GREAT episode. I loved it. Sincerely. I'll never say I did if I didn't.
If anything, it would be great to have guests on shows like this to debate and discuss the topics - either as a follow up to an episode like this, or as part of the episode itself. Either way, it's great. It makes people think. Spurs them on. Draws them in. And, likely, helps them work.
I wanted to sit on your comment for a while, Heather. There's so much to digest, I won't do it all justice. I'd start by saying you and I agree more than we disagree.
So I want to parse out what I mean when I say everyone has talent. As humans, we all sit atop the pyramid of ability. We can exist in roughly all environments and thrive in them too. We can subject all other forms of life to our desires.
I might not have the brute strength of a tiger, but give me tools and I can kill a tiger reliably. It couldn't gain an upper hand if given those same tools.
My belief is that talent is green eyes, and that too aligns with your thinking. You mentioned our talents laying in different areas. You are a talented writer. Farin is a talented singer. Luke is a talented observer. And with precise and masterful discipling, any of these people could become masterful at any of the skills mentioned.
But talent is just one of a gazillion genetic factors we face in our lives. Body size, shape, fine motor skills, all these exist in various quantities and ranges. No matter how talented a short woman is, she can't compete in the NBA (or it's yet to be seen), because men are naturally bigger and more muscular.
At the highest levels, talent is a difference-maker. Shaved legs made the difference when Michael Phelps competed with Ryan Lockte in an olympic swimming pool, but I have no need to shave my legs, because I swim to slow for it to change the outcome.
Much like my size if trying to race horses.
Where I take issue is that there are too many people who quit far sooner than they should, blaming a lack of talent for their choice.
I guess I would rather live my life believing I've got the talent to achieve my dreams than to give up because so far all signs point toward a lack of talent.
I think you're right that we're closer in our thinking than we are apart. I also think that if folks give up, that may be saying something as well.
I was a singer growing up. Started recording at 14. But unlike writing, which came about due to a traumatic event, I never stuck with singing. As much as I love music, it was quite shocking that I would give up so easily - I'd had the talent. I was even slated to audition for the manager of the Four Tops at one point. But I didn't have the necessary drive. Maybe talent doesn't mean everything. Maybe drive is as important. But that would be a circular argument to what your point was.
I've rewritten a final thought on the above about 4 times, and nothing comes out the way I want it to. But know that I hear you and really admire your optimism and your take on this subject.