‘To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.’

Matthew 25:29 ( NLT)

As parents we look for talent in our children and hope they can become a little more than ordinary, possessing some special talent that will provide them an opportunity to make something great of themselves. Sometimes we find some talent and other times we conclude that our children are ordinary. However, sooner or later we conclude they have no talent or  too little talent to become a professional or star in a specific field.  But hold on! before you make that conclusion, have you applied the 10,000 Hour Rule?

Excellence is a function of way more than talent. Studies have shown that providing the right environment and opportunities play a big role in the child’s development. And even geniuses and super stars are not entirely self made, but are a result of input from generations past, and present, cultures, legislations and  varying circumstances that have had profound influences on them. Most importantly, they are a result of dedicated devotion to their art. Perfecting the spark of talent into a fireball of excellence  by practice, practice, practice.

As a parent or guardian, you could give your child a comparative advantage among his peers. You can create the right environment and make the necessarry sacrifices to ensure your child gets the necessary exposure, kit and practice to develop his or her talent. The child’s age is irrelevant; they could be a teen or a toddler.

Here a 3 simple ways you can help your child’s talent develop into excellence:

1. Observation: Every child has a measure of talent. This is the starting point. Take the time to observe your child from an early age for where their interest lie. This might take some time. Every child has a talent/ gift, something they are good at, that they do with a bit of ease, that they enjoy doing. It takes a dedicated and observant parent to discover this. Sometimes, its glaring, but many times, you need to observe.

2. Exposure: once you’ve discovered your child’s talent, the next step is to expose the child as much as possible to  influences in this field, this could range anything from  classes, movies,books, mentors, fairs, exhibitions etc. Bill Gates was exposed to computers  at an early age at prep school in Lakeside. Computers were still too expensive to buy, the school held a fundraiser to provide their children that rare opportunity.

3. 10,000 hours: Here comes the hard work. Hours of practicing is the single differentiating factor between  laymen and  professionals . It is the horning of skills, by commitment of time, to practice, practice, practice. Detailed studies as those highlighted in Malcolm Gladwell’s book The Outliers reveals that practicing a skill up to the 10,000 lead to distinguished success in that field. Essentially, the key to success in any field is, to a large extent, a matter of practicing a specific task for a total of around 10,000 hour. Depending on the age of the child, that could be anything from 4 hours a day 5 – 6 times a week.

The 10,000 hour rule dispels the myth that a person can survive on talent alone. Talent requires hard work to develop into a meaningful skill. It requires practice. This is what distinguishes the champions from the wannabes.

‘If you don’t practice; You don’t deserve to Win! -

Andre Agassi’

Anyone can capture time in journals by recording thoughts and feelings in words. Writing thoughts in poems, expressing gratitude and ranting are positive methods of self expression.’

Journal keeping in children has untold advantages, as discussed in an earlier blog. There are untold benefits in getting your kids, be they toddler or teenager to start scribbling away regularly. There’s no better time than the start of a new year to kick start this positive habit.

Here are a few points to get them started.

First you need a journal. To encourage repeated entires, it helps to have an attractive journal. While a simple notebook from any store will do, the chances of carrying the habit on are a lot slimmer. There are several diaries and journal out there. Checking a bookstore will reveal a host of options; hardcover, gloss finish, lined pages, unlined pages and even drawing books for younger journal keepers who can’t really write much yet. The options are endless. There are also journal keeping apps out there that can easily do the job (Journal Apps).

I recommend that you choose something sturdy, attractive and interactive. to encourage continued entries. The Can Do Journal is quite the thing for this. It comes with a motivational planner in an attractive gloss hardcover. Designed for teenagers, it comes with additional planning pages for goals and inspirational quotes and ample ruled pages for daily journal entries.

What to write. What ever journal your child chooses, there is the question of what to write.

Songs are very popular with teenagers. They can write songs on how they feel or what they are thinking. Poems are another choice to ease them into the habit of daily writing.

I would also encourage that they periodically put in a gratitude entry. It’s so easy to get carried away with what’s not working. But taking time time to count their blessings will help them realize just how much they have going for them.

Journals are for all times, when happy, sad, neutral or even angry. Encourage them to rant in their journal,( be warned! it might be about you) but it helps to let off the steam and hopefully, they can look back at it and laugh at themselves. The key thing is that they are writing.

Good luck with kick stating journal keeping with your child this year!