Feb
8

On Enthusiasm vs Talent

37 Comments

I’ve been so busy over at GeekBrief.TV that I’ve been putting off launching this site, and this post really isn’t what I had in mind for my first one here on my personal blog, but I’m going to go with the flow here. Tonight I had the TV on in the background while upgrading my WordPress sites. There was a segment on 60 Minutes about Coldplay, and it caught my attention. Chris Martin, the lead singer of Coldplay, said this:

“We rely more on enthusiasm than actual skill. Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically and people will like it more.”

I tweeted the quote because when he said it, I immediately thought “I like this guy!”. I probably wouldn’t be writing this post had I not gotten a reply saying:

“@CaliLewis Cali, don’t take Chris Martin’s route, or I will cancel my GBTV subscription.”

I was very surprised by this @reply, mainly because, well….I AM enthusiastic. I’m guessing he meant something to the effect of “Don’t JUST be enthusiastic. Don’t ignore talent.”

If that’s the case, he’s right to an extent. Talent can’t be ignored. However, enthusiasm means so much more to success, both in the public eye (as with Coldplay) and in our personal day-to-day lives. When I started Geek Brief, I didn’t know what the heck I was doing. Maybe I had a kernel of talent that I was able to develop, but my enthusiasm is why people watched the show and why we were able to quit our day jobs five months after launching. Enthusiasm is infectious.

For example, I was chatting with a friend the other day, and he was talking about a passion of his, kickboxing. It’s not something I have any personal interest in, but because he was enthusiastic in telling me about the subject, it was fascinating. I didn’t have any desire to stop paying attention. Remember that the next time you’re doing something.

“Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically and people will like it more.”

Posted in Blog
37 Comments Posted by Cali Lewis

37 Responses to "On Enthusiasm vs Talent"

  • faddah says:
    February 8, 2009 at 6:43 pm

    “If the only thing we leave our kids is the quality of enthusiasm, we will have given them an estate of incalculable value.”

    — Thomas Alva Edison

  • NoArmsJames says:
    February 8, 2009 at 6:44 pm

    Welcome to the blogging world :)

    I’ve always thought that if you weren’t enthusiastic about the things you’re doing to further your life, then you’re probably not doing the right thing.
    So I would say that with your enthusiasm and talent with GBTV, you’re definitely doing the right thing.

  • Steve Belt says:
    February 8, 2009 at 6:52 pm

    I missed a bit of the Coldplay interview on 60 minutes, so I guess I missed this quote live…thanks for sharing. I completely agree, though, that anything we do with enthusiasm is better than anything we do without.

    Nice new blog, Cali. Hopefully you publish a few D5 II pics with Av mode that are blog worthy! Oh, and Coldplay rocked the grammy’s too…

    PS- your comment area isn’t very iPhone friendly. Check it out, and I think you’ll see what I mean.

  • Jeff Brown says:
    February 8, 2009 at 6:53 pm

    Jazzed about the new blog Cali (just jumped in myself last month).

    Yours was one of the first podcasts I discovered 18 months ago after receiving an iPod as an anniversary gift. I’ve not missed an episode since.

    I love what I do (radio) and am fortunate enough to have been doing it for nearly 22 years. I know for a fact there are plenty others more talented at it than I, and that if I were to walk away tomorrow, my company would have no problem at all improving their future by hiring someone infinitely more talented than I am.

    However, I think that the enthusiasm, sincerity and treatment of others I bring to the job speak volumes and are some of the reasons why I’m actually doing what dozens of others only dream about.

  • Cali Lewis says:
    February 8, 2009 at 6:58 pm

    @Steve I’ll check out the comments, thanks for the heads up! In case you don’t know about my Smugmug galleries, I post a bunch of Canon 5D Mark II stuff there, but I will be sure to post some of my favorites here too. :)

    Great quote, Faddah!

  • Don Jagoe says:
    February 8, 2009 at 6:59 pm

    Hey Cali, loved you on the Drobo intro-enthusiasm plus–hell, you convinced me to buy one. The outtakes were the best part. Looking forward to your blog. Have a terrific week. Don

  • John DeCarlo says:
    February 8, 2009 at 7:04 pm

    The guy who replied to your tweet is not thinking clearly.

    I love your shows because of the content and your enthusiasm. If you were bored, it wouldn’t be as interesting.

    OTOH, I have to curb my enthusiasm sometimes, but only when it results in butting heads with someone.

  • Fred Schouten says:
    February 8, 2009 at 7:06 pm

    I’ve been viewing Geek Brief for most all episodes since you began. It’s probably the greatest update available, and I am so captivated with your enthusiasm! Keep up the great work. Fred

  • darren valen says:
    February 8, 2009 at 7:09 pm

    Well Cali, I can say without a doubt that you and your show are the quintessential embodiment of the cold play statement. Keep it up.

  • Sean Cavendish says:
    February 8, 2009 at 7:13 pm

    Elaine: But I like to dance!
    Jerry: And that’s not helping.

    I.e., sometimes enthusiasm… just doesn’t cut it. (Give talent a chance, folks.)

  • SteveO (gswd) says:
    February 8, 2009 at 7:53 pm

    Since we are also into the new season of American Idol, you have to admit that most of the people that audition have enthusiasm. There just are not that many that have the talent to back it up. As for the Coldplay quote, I am certain that they have not made it to the point that they have on enthusiasm alone, and neither have you Cali (& Neal of course).

    The one thing that I have found tho, is that once the enthusiasm has gone out of what you do, no matter how good you are at it, it is time to change course. And that has happened to me on more than one occasion.

  • Pablo Manriquez says:
    February 8, 2009 at 8:01 pm

    I’d be enthusiastic about kick-boxing on GeekBrief.tv.

    GeekBoxing.tv?

  • Roger Gil says:
    February 8, 2009 at 8:06 pm

    enthusiasm + talent = passionate results

    talent by itself = results without passion

    enthusiasm by itself = passion without results

    both are needed but neither can cut it on its own. Talent will take you places but won’t make you happy. Enthusiasm will make you smile but yields little else. Cali, you demonstrate both… and I’m not brown-nosing. Seeing people that are passionate about what they do inspires others to do the same (myself included). Take care & God bless…
    Roger

    P.S. before GBTV, I never knew the many wonders of bacon

  • Japh says:
    February 8, 2009 at 8:08 pm

    Hey Cali, liking the new blog!

    I think possibly the person who @replied to you misinterpretted Chris’ quote. He didn’t mean “we rely on enthusiasm alone, and have no actual skill”, he simply meant that without enthusiasm, skill won’t get you very far.

    I think GeekBrief.tv’s success is a perfect example of this. The information you guys present can be found in millions of different places, so why do we choose to get it from GeekBrief.tv? It’s because of your enthusiasm and delivery!

    Same goes for musicians. There are thousands, and it’s enthusiam and delivery that sets any apart. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen Coldplay live, but when my wife and I did about two years ago, they were absolutely incredible!!

    Keep up the awesome work, Cali :)

  • paul (pedepy) says:
    February 8, 2009 at 8:39 pm

    hey cali, i @ replied you on twitter myself when i saw your quote, as i was presented today at work with my own ‘lack of’ enthusiasm, and it really struck me.

    even though one can show great skills in a particular field, i agree (now) that passion/motivation/enthusiasm will always modulate that, whether one’s aware of it or not.

    it seems greater things always spring from a well dosed combination of the two. your work, as well as alot of other web 2.0/new media pioneers (kevin rose and gary vaynerchuk come to mind) are great examples.

    you (along with an oddly synchronistic set of circumstances) have given me alot to think about in the coming days…..

  • Paul says:
    February 8, 2009 at 9:10 pm

    I completely agree!

    I’ve seen many a times at school where people are smart, but just don’t have motivation (which I also attribute to enthusiasm) and don’t go anywhere. Enthusiasm can push you to learn about what you are passionate about, and while you might not get as far as Enthusiasm + Talent, you can get soo much further than Talent without Enthusiasm!

    PS. I’ve heard that this is what employers would rather prefer as well.

  • Kristian says:
    February 9, 2009 at 12:44 am

    I agree with what most of the people here say, i for one discovered your podcast last year and haven’t looked back, it’s definitely one of the most informative, and quirky (in a good way) tech casts I’ve come across. and I Agree with the quote all the way, without enthusiasm we wouldn’t have some of the greatest products on the market today, because enthusiasm is what makes your podcast and companies like Apple great, you (and they) love what they do. what good is talent if you hate what you’re doing with it?

  • BrAinZ says:
    February 9, 2009 at 5:13 am

    Nice new Blog site Cali, keep up the great work!

    I’m a firm believer in doing whatever you try, with the utmost passion and enthusiasm. Unfortunately, I see these qualities less and less in younger people (God, that makes me feel old saying that!!).

    I think that we live in a society where so many people EXPECT life to automatically provide for them, and don’t see the need to really “get out there” and create their own success. I do a fair amount of recruiting, and probably enthusiasm and passion are the two main things that I look for. You can teach anyone anything after that… but without it, you are asking for a mediocre at best, team.

    I absolutely love the passion and enthusiasm that you seem to have in life, and this come across well in your GB shows.

    If you ever come for an interview with me…. you’ve got the job! (WHATEVER the job is! :) )

  • @ID7 says:
    February 9, 2009 at 6:58 am

    Cali
    I totally concur, its like having a blog to showcase your work, sometimes in your mind you feel you are out there on your own, and its just for your eyes only, but with some enthusiasm and dedication to your art, all of a sudden you get an influx of other people hooked in looking at what you do. It may not be the same numbers as your site, but I guess enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm. Thats probably how I got hooked on the Brief, and Twitter, and Drobo, and quite a few other things, you enthused about. Keep it up Cali and I stand by what you quoted. Nice first post.

    An enthused blogger, geek and photographer – Craig @ID7
    http://www.id7.co.uk

  • Lindsay says:
    February 9, 2009 at 2:47 pm

    This is a good first post Cali. Sometimes that ones that you hadn’t planned on are the best. As long as you have enthusiasm, right? Hope to see more in the future.

    p.s. Unfortunately I won’t be on Twitter for several days or weeks (hopefully not that long!. But I really miss it and hope to be back soon!

  • Lindsay says:
    February 9, 2009 at 2:55 pm

    p.p.s I will be back as soon as I can, to clarify!

  • Alp says:
    February 9, 2009 at 4:14 pm

    I agree. while talent is important, enthusiasm is what will keep you going, when times get tough, or you are unsure….

  • Manoa says:
    February 11, 2009 at 7:49 pm

    Great blog and quote. And if Coldplay and Chris Martin don’t do it for some people, maybe Thomas Edison will (thanks, Faddah).

  • Nathan says:
    February 20, 2009 at 7:34 am

    Just my thoughts:

    Talent without enthusiasm equals somebody who’s good at something but will never be apprecieated for it.
    Enthusiasm without talent equals somebody who’s apprecieated for so-so work.
    Talent and enthisiasm equals greatness where the sky is the limit.

    Love the new site!

  • mymembershipempire says:
    April 13, 2010 at 4:13 am

    Thanks for the info on my absolute favorite superstar. I’ve been a huge fan for three years or more. Just fantastic.

  • local sem says:
    June 12, 2010 at 11:38 pm

    I just like keeping up with these posts! It honestly brings something special the afternoon.

  • onlinecasinos says:
    June 15, 2010 at 12:40 am

    Do you accept guest posts? I would love to write couple articles here.

  • flower tattoo designs says:
    June 15, 2010 at 8:06 am

    Your site design looks cool. What template did you use ?

  • Sharell Suganuma says:
    June 16, 2010 at 7:01 pm

    I actually saw LOLWrestlers too – that was sweet

  • bestonlinecasinousa says:
    June 18, 2010 at 1:33 pm

    This is my cardinal time i visit here. I base so tons provocative furniture in your blog especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I judge I am not the only individual having all the exercise here! maintenance up the good work.

  • marketing forums says:
    June 24, 2010 at 5:40 pm

    I love your website! did you create this yourself or did you outsource it? Im looking for a blog design thats similar so thats the only reason I’m asking. Either way keep up the nice work I was impressed :)

  • watch movies online says:
    June 27, 2010 at 3:22 pm

    Usually I don’t article on blogs, but I would like to say that this article extremely forced me to do so! Thanks, very nice article.

  • make more money online says:
    June 29, 2010 at 8:40 pm

    Friends say that your website is very good! So come visit them! Have time to look at my site

  • easter decor says:
    July 1, 2010 at 3:58 am

    You make some interesting points…I’d like to know what you would recommend in my situation. My goal is to shed about 15 pounds in the next couple of months. But there are such a huge number of “systems” out there and I have no idea which one to trust. Can somebody point me towards a good plan for burning fat and packing on muscle?

  • quick loan says:
    July 20, 2010 at 1:49 am

    hey there I just wanted to comment your blog and say that I really enjoyed reading your blog post here. It was very informative and I also digg the way you write! Keep it up and I’ll be back to read more soon mate

  • Boyd Gerena says:
    July 21, 2010 at 3:53 am

    Thank you for another great article. Where else could anyone get that kind of information in such a perfect way of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such information.

Leave a Comment

Anti-Spam Protection by WP-SpamFree