Why talent gets overlooked

When you see someone street performing, do you ever stop and listen? Do you ever say, "Hey, this guy is good! I think I'll stop and listen." to yourself? You generally have somewhere to be when passing by, but I don't believe this is why most people don't listen. Too many times we let talent go unnoticed or even worse, discouraged. It's because they truly can't tell when someone is (or is going to be) talented.

I see talent (and the potential for talent) everywhere. Does that mean that everyone who has the potential for making great music will make it? No. But as long as you recognize when someone is passionate about their art and striving to get better you'll be able to appreciate talent in the rough. In the wild. Before the mass market rewards this person for doing what they do so well. And that takes imagination.

Imagination is a virtue. Not everyone has it, but every child does. That's why all the children were trying to stop and listen to Josh Bell when he played in that subway in Washington D.C. Most of the adults didn't, but a few had enough imagination to listen for a few minutes. Obviously, most people don't have enough imagination to see talent in the wild. That's why when Micheal Jordan was in tenth grade, he was cut from the varsity team. Same reason Tim Ferriss was rejected by 26 out of 27 publishers.

Even when whatever they're doing isn't the best now, it totally could be. They are creating. Art isn't created from safety. It's created "out on a limb", says Seth Godin and I agree. It's easy to be a critic when there is nothing on the line. Critics aren't creating, and all they do is judge those who do. There is no such a thing as a world class critic.

Next time you see someone doing art on a small level, use your imagination. Think about where they could be, not where they are. See their drive, their passion and their talent. Then encourage them. Tell them what they could maybe work on, and what you really enjoy. What they go on to do might even surprise you.