wine on the keyboard

It takes a lot of work

by Kay~Kacey on 6/26/2008

Will Smith was on Good Morning America the other day and said this:

“There’s a separation of talent and skill. One of the greatest misunderstood concepts for people who are trying to excel, wanting to do things, [is that] talent you have naturally, skill is only developed by hours and hours and hours of beating on your craft.”

I have to remind myself of that. I remind myself regularly. Whether I’m frustrated with my writing, or my photography…I have to tell myself it takes time and practice. Over and over.

pink astramaria closeup

I have to remind myself it takes time when I’m stuck on a chapter of my novel and everything is falling apart. I have to remind myself when I’m trying to capture the perfect photo…and it comes out nothing like I’ve pictured in my mind. Heck, when my kids were little, I had to remind myself that parenting skill doesn’t happen overnight!

How about you? Is there anything you’re working on these days that you have to keep reminding yourself not to give up? That it takes time?

Mental P Mama June 26, 2008 at 7:33 am

I think you said a mouthful. I have found that the things I have worked on the hardest are my biggest pleasure. :bath:

Beckynsc June 26, 2008 at 7:48 am

Yeah, blogging/writing.
Some say my writing is good. I don’t trust them, they’re family. They would say that just to insure they’re daily meals/laundry and such.
I know the readers don’t come overnight, but sometimes I feel as if I’m just writing to a mindless microchip.
Ha ha!

Tracey June 26, 2008 at 7:49 am

Um, being a wife 😯 , being a mother :mad2: , photography :love: , blogging :typing: , being a good listener :blah: , and the list goes on. It is good to be reminded of this and give ourselves a break!

Suzanne June 26, 2008 at 8:15 am

Everything! I love that flower photo!!!

Blogarita June 26, 2008 at 8:26 am

Parenting is a big one for me. I’ve forgotten what, if anything, I did right in raising my daughter. So now, raising my granddaughter, it’s a whole new ball game.

It’s been a long time since I’ve taken on anything new that requires a lot of practice to get right. But I do remember those days and see it all over again with my granddaughter as she learns to ride a bike and swim this summer. She gets so frustrated, but then so happy once she masters the next step.

Jan June 26, 2008 at 9:02 am

Kacey, I am arriving in SFO on the 17th and am looking forward to meeting you at the first timers reception. I am soo looking forward to this conferance and have heard so many good things. See you there!

Kelly Boyce June 26, 2008 at 9:10 am

Oh man, I should chant that until I’m done my revisions!

Melissa Marsh June 26, 2008 at 9:26 am

My writing. My parenting. My wife skills. Always something to learn, always a way to make yourself do better. It’s never-ending, which can be a little frustrating.

Treasia June 26, 2008 at 9:30 am

Life itself.

carol June 26, 2008 at 9:43 am

Oh, ouch. What doesnt take hours and hours and hours if its worth doing? I am a painter, in a family of painters, it took me years to understand that they all just didnt create something beautiful and worth looking at the first time. Life in general is a lot of mistakes along the way, but worth the effort in the end!
I love your postings and look forward to the read every day!

Katharina June 26, 2008 at 11:56 am

I gave up on music. The things I never gave up on, applying those hours and hours and hours, days and weeks and sometimes, years, turned out to be successes. Not perfect, ever, because we live in a fallen world, but really good anyways.

People who have worked at their craft make it look easy and we must understand on our early attempts that it never was easy. Everything worth doing requires dedication. The rewards that follow are great.

I am working on my quilting and knitting at this time.

BearNaked June 26, 2008 at 1:40 pm

Trying to get back in good physical shape after my injury and determined to lose this extra weight :cursing: that has crept up on me.

Tori Lennox June 26, 2008 at 1:40 pm

Oh, geez, everything? My writing more than anything else, though.

Bri June 26, 2008 at 3:08 pm

I think everything is like that at one time or another. Photography frustrates me to no end, but then every once in a while I get something perfect and I try that much harder to get it again.

Kate June 26, 2008 at 3:31 pm

I’m with Bri on this one. Photography sometimes frustrates me and I feel like I suck sometimes. But then something comes out right and I think it’s all worth it.
Nice pic, Kacey.

Flea June 26, 2008 at 3:52 pm

Well said. I’m always quick to make the distinction when someone tells me I am talented in my needle art. After nearly 30 years, I always say that it primarily skill. No latent talent here, only practice and hard work, seeing things through to the end.

Currently, though, I’m in limbo with creativity. I’ve committed to posting daily on my blog, which is supposed to be part of honing my writing skills, but that’s about it.

Amy June 26, 2008 at 4:52 pm

Like I always told my boys when they were in gymnastics: hard work will take you farther (further?) than raw talent EVERY TIME.

Karen June 26, 2008 at 10:13 pm

:rofl: Oh yeah, ME!!! I’m 61 years young and definitely still a ‘Work In Progress’ and getting better every day…

annbb/TSannie June 26, 2008 at 11:01 pm

Me. I’m working diligently on me, just like Karen just above me on the comment list. I’ve figured out that by the time I’ll be done working on ME, I better damn well have live a 200 year life – it’s gonna take that long to come to a good conclusion! 🙂

annbb/TSannie June 27, 2008 at 3:14 pm

Yep…myself!

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