Ability is Built, Not Unlocked

Curiosity/interest motivates people to engage in deliberate practice, which is what builds ability.

One of the most harmful myths in education is that ability is something to be “unlocked” by curiosity (which seems easy), not something “built” by deliberate practice (which seems hard).

It’s so funny when you imagine what this would sound like coming from an athletic trainer: “You want to get really good at basketball? Forget about practice drills – you were born to ball; all you need to do to unlock your inner baller is come in with the right attitude and play some pick-up ball at the park.”

I should clarify: I’m not against curiosity/interest. That’s not what I’m trying to say at all.

But curiosity/interest does not itself build ability.

Curiosity/interest motivates people to engage in deliberate practice, which is what builds ability.

I’m not saying curiosity/interest doesn’t help, I’m just saying it’s not what moves the needle directly.

Deliberate practice is what moves the needle directly.

Curiosity/interest “greases the wheels,” so to speak, but it’s not what actually moves the wheels.