Is talent or knowledge more important? Or is there something else that helps us achieve our goals?
We love to talk about talent.
From a young age, we’re told that some people are “naturally gifted”—as if success in life, art, or work hinges on whether you were lucky enough to be born with a certain spark.
But is talent really the guaranteed key to success?
What about knowledge—what you learn and earn through experience?
Or is there something even more powerful than both?
Here’s the truth: Talent and knowledge both fall short without one essential trait.
And that trait is curiosity.
Talent Sounds Glamorous… But It’s Not Enough
Let’s be honest: talent can feel like a shortcut. When we see someone do something effortlessly—whether it’s painting, singing, coding, or crafting, weaving—it’s tempting to believe they were just born that way.
But talent alone doesn’t build skill. It doesn’t guarantee growth.
In fact, people who rely solely on talent often plateau early. They avoid challenges that might expose their limits, and they may never learn how to push through difficulty.
Talent is a wonderful gift to be given, but on its own it doesn’t necessarily go anywhere. Talent must be driven, challenged and honed.
Knowledge is Powerful, But Passive
On the other side, we have knowledge—something we can all gain over time.
Books, courses, teachers, and life itself give us endless opportunities to learn. And yes, knowledge matters. Deeply.
But knowledge without application? That’s just trivia.
Knowing how something should work doesn’t mean you’ll actually do the work, or that you’ll keep going when it gets hard or boring.
Just like talent, knowledge requires a driving force to be put into action.
So What Really Drives Success?
Curiosity!
It’s the overlooked secret behind talent and hard work.
It’s the thing that gets you started and keeps you going.
Curiosity is what makes you:
- Ask questions others aren’t asking
- Try something new without fear of failure
- Dive deep into a topic or craft without being pushed
- Stick with it, not because you “have to” but because you want to know more
- Be willing to see out a project and learn from it, even if it’s difficult
It turns learning into a game. Practice into play. Repetition into discovery.
Why Curiosity Beats Both Talent and Knowledge
Let’s break it down:
| Trait | Strength | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Talent | Gives a head start | Fades without effort |
| Knowledge | Builds understanding | Stagnates without action |
| Curiosity | Fuels both learning and effort | Leads to progress regardless of starting point |
Curiosity is active. It doesn’t wait for perfect timing or permission.
It creates momentum—and momentum is what moves you forward, even when you feel stuck or unsure.
My Experience: How Curiosity Carried Me
In my own creative journey, I’ve had seasons where I felt untalented.
And times when I had no idea what I was doing.
But what I did have was an inner spark—the drive to figure things out. To try. To explore. To keep going, not because I had all the answers, but because I was curious.
That’s what has made the biggest difference.
Not talent. Not perfect knowledge. But the willingness to learn, fail, adjust, and try again.
A curious person sees the barriers, they acknowledge the reasons to not persist, but they brush them aside and forge ahead.
When you’re curious it doesn’t matter how you learn, it just matters that you do.
So many times in my weaving journey I have almost convinced myself that I’m not talented enough, not smart enough, that I’ll never be able to learn this new technique or weave structure.
But that driving force keeps driving me forward, it replaces the lack of talent or knowledge with determination and eventually (sometimes a long time later!) I achieve the goal.
What This Means for You
If you’ve ever thought:
- “I’m not talented enough”
- “It seems so easy for others”
- “I don’t know enough”
- “I’m too far behind/ too old to start”
Let me gently challenge you.
Ask yourself instead: “What am I curious about?”
That single question can shift everything.
Because curiosity doesn’t care where you begin. It only cares that you begin.
And that’s where real growth lives—not in being perfect, but in being interested enough to keep going.
Final Thought
Talent may open a door. Knowledge may show you where it leads.
But curiosity? Curiosity gets you to turn the handle and walk through it.
Ready to Explore Your Curiosity?
Download my free 7-Day Creative Exploration Journal Prompter and start following your curiosity—one small step at a time.
ʘ Click here to get the printable journal sent to your inbox.
You’ll also get occasional emails with tips, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes from my creative world.
Now I’d love to hear from you:
Have you ever followed your curiosity into something unexpected or life-changing?
What’s something you’ve always wanted to explore, even if you’re not “naturally good” at it?
So, what has your experience been? Has curiosity played a big role in your life? Or has something else been your driving force?
Let me know in the comments, I love to hear from you and share experiences!
Until next time…
Happy Weaving!