Are some people born gifted? Or is it a constant struggle?
2006-11-04 18:11:53 · 6 answers · asked by falzalnz 6 in Social Science ➔ Other - Social Science
My standard of excellence? Easy - it's the level of quality effort.
As an example, if a student is capable of getting straight A's, but gets all A-'s, the student didn't meet the standard of excellence. If, however, a B to C student, puts out their best effort and gets a B average, then excellence was achieved.
The world isn't run by perfect people. It's run by lots and lots of ordinary people. More gets accomplished when ordinary people meet their potential than when a few extraordinary people pull off some new feat.
2006-11-04 18:27:58 · answer #1 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think even gifted people have to struggle to a certain extent. There's natural ability... and then there's honing that ability into excellence. There was an interesting study done by a statistician... he basically looked at the career trajectories of those individuals who had a "genius level" IQ. The interesting thing he found was that although these people did well in their chosen fields, they were rarely at the very top. He conjectured that it was the fact that they were "gifted" that might have somehow dulled their drive a little by making them think they had a free ride and didn't have to work as hard as everyone else to achieve their goals. There's the old adage by Thomas Edison, that genius is "1% inspiration and 99% perspiration".
2006-11-05 01:27:21 · answer #2 · answered by opifan64 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone struggles against SOMETHING. Even those born with with gifts that the rest of us have to strive, struggle, and sweat for.
My own personal standard of excellence involves overcoming my previous mess-ups. I try to do things smarter the next time around. I only compete against myself (some would say that the playing field is wide open... *grin*), and I develop my own definitions of success. Yes, academically A's are nice and I get them. But for me, being 34 years old and just now finishing my education degree is a HUGE accomplishment.
And guess what? I'm one of those "gifted" people. Trust me... if you met me you would NOT be able to tell :)
So yeah... it IS a constant struggle. Just because we are lucky enough to have a strength does not mean that we are smart enough to use and develop that strength. The world is full of geniuses saying, "Huh... that's easy... I could do that..." But guess what? Most don't.
2006-11-04 18:26:45 · answer #3 · answered by Mikisew 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's a combination of both. Excellence really is about not accepting mediocrity in the work you do.
I think people are born gifted, but it takes a lot of work and honest self accessment about the quality of what you do to be excellent.
2006-11-04 18:23:24 · answer #4 · answered by Answerer 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pay attention, some people have natural propensities for certain things. Great dancers have a natural rythm and timing. Geniouses can see and deduce things others cannot readily find or see. Actors have a natural enjoyment for the attention and a
a talent for filling a scene. Everyone has a talent which comes natural to them. But on other things we have to work at to get good, or better. We have to constantly step up our game.
2006-11-04 18:18:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
everyone is different and their absorbtion rate is different. so yer a few are gifted and the rest struggle constantly to get to where they want to be. some get there and don't know it and keep chasin the dream not knowing when they have found it
2006-11-04 18:16:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋