Here is an interesting article I read in Psychology Today and emphasizes one of the points that we try to make here at GPZ: that talent isn’t enough. Here is the article:
Why Prodigies Fail
Talent isn’t enough. Commitment, perseverance and innovation help prodigies make a lasting mark.
By: PT Staff
In retrospect, it might not seem so impressive that music historian Charles Burney predicted an uncommonly bright future for the musical prodigy performing in front of him, a 9-year-old who possessed what Burney described as “almost supernatural talents.” After all, who could fail to recognize that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was destined for greatness?
Betting on a prodigy, however, is anything but a sure thing. The majority of childhood prodigies never fulfill their early promise.
“Perseverance is a key part of it,” says Robert Root-Bernstein of Michigan State University. “Many of them say that their expectations were warped by their early experiences.” When success comes too easily, prodigies are ill prepared for what happens when the adoration goes away, their competitors start to catch up and the going gets rough.
Parents and educators rarely pick up the slack. “I don’t see anyone teaching these kids about task commitment, about perseverance in the face of social pressures, about how to handle criticism,” notes Indiana University psychologist Jonathan Plucker. “We say, ‘Boy, you’re really talented.’ We don’t say, ‘Yeah, but you’re still going to have to put in those 60-hour work weeks before you can make major contributions to your field.’ “
Even prodigies who avoid burnout and resist social pressures are unlikely to make a big splash as an adult. The problem, notes giftedness researcher Ellen Winner, is that to make a major contribution in the arts, and even the sciences “you need a rebellious spirit and the type of mind that can see new things.” Most prodigies, however, are acclaimed not for their innovation but “for doing something that’s already been done, like playing the violin in the style of Itzhak Perlman.” Only prodigies who can reinvent themselves as innovators, she says, are likely to leave a lasting mark during adulthood.
Psychology Today Magazine, Nov/Dec 2005
Last Reviewed 16 Jan 2008
Article ID: 3932
Popularity: 2% [?]
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3 responses so far ↓
1 Ron Zabrocki // Jan 29, 2008 at 6:43 am
So that explains my problem! NAH! Only kidding! But it does explain why the guy everyone swore would make it in High School is nowhere to be found today. Everyone needs to be taught about perseverence, competition, acceptance in failure, and finding an original voice.
Great article, once again!
2 Brenda Crawford // Feb 2, 2008 at 5:52 am
That made so much sense. One of our sons who showed a passion for guitar at around 6 or 7 has always been so high-spirited and stubborn to put it mildly. Loved playing guitar but did not want to do what the teacher was trying to teach him. I’m a teacher myself (not of music) so I was quite frustrated at times by this- not pushing him but in trying to understand or get him to understand how important lessons would be…….I now believe he really knows what he wants. He writes songs (now he’s 13), has been working in his own band Powerage (from Downunder) for 3 years and amazes people with his talent. He is always playing guitar in his spare time by choice. I’m just going with the flow now. We support him in getting gigs for his band but he more or less manages his “music career”. I wish him all the best (eventhough I sometimes feel he needs something in addition to his music.) Maybe I’m just paranoid.
Proud Mum
PS I’m also married to a muso
3 Jeff // Feb 2, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Nice! Thanks for sharing that with us Brenda. If he is already managing his music career at 13, that’s pretty cool. Going with the flow is a good choice. You don’t want to force anything upon anyone, as it could just lead to bad things. If you need any help with anything music business wise feel free to ask!
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