Too Much Time Kills Talent

A note to young leaders.

You are likely under-achieving.

Why?

Because you mistakenly believe you need more experience before you can produce your best work – or worse, you suffer from the illusion that you still have plenty of time.

George Gershwin was only 24 when he composed his masterpiece, Rhapsody In Blue. But that’s not what’s most remarkable about it.

Gershwin found out he was meant to be writing an experimental “jazz concerto” from a newspaper article. Musical luminaries including Stravinsky, Rachmaninov and Stokowski would be attending the premiere, the article stated – which was only six weeks away.

With the adrenaline of an impossible deadline, Gershwin got to work almost immediately, composing Rhapsody In Blue in just three weeks – an astonishing feat given its musical complexity.

Rhapsody In Blue has gone on to become one of the great symphonic contributions of the 20th century, fusing the vibrancy of jazz with the grandeur of classical composition.

Too much time, not the lack of it, is the graveyard of talent.

The twin enemies of genius are over-thinking and idleness. Both thrive when given time.

And if you haven’t yet listened to Rhapsody In Blue – do yourself a favour, listen to it.