We’ve all heard the adages that glorify hustle culture: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard,” or “The dream is free, but the hustle is sold separately.” Yet, these clichés often don’t dig deep enough into the nuanced relationship between talent and hustle, especially in the creative industry. Brian Collins, an influential designer and brand consultant, puts it perfectly in his 101 design rules:
“When talent doesn’t hustle, hustle beats talent. But when talent hustles, watch out.”
It’s a sentiment that serves as a guiding star for many in the creative realms, but what exactly does it mean?
Firstly, let’s address talent—often seen as an innate quality, a gift bestowed at birth. In the creative field, this might manifest as a knack for storytelling, an eye for design, or an ear for pitch-perfect music. Yet talent alone is not a golden ticket to success. In fact, it can be a hindrance if it breeds complacency.
We’ve all known the ‘talented’ individual who rests on their laurels, confident their natural ability will open doors for them. However, in a world chock-full of skilled individuals, talent alone doesn’t cut the mustard.
On the flip side, we have hustle: the blood, sweat, and often tears poured into perfecting a craft or achieving a goal. Hustle doesn’t need an invitation; it shows up, rolls up its sleeves, and gets to work. And guess what? It often outpaces talent, at least when talent is taking a snooze on the couch.
Hustle makes up for what it lacks in flair with sheer persistence and willpower. It’s the artist pulling all-nighters to meet deadlines, the writer facing rejection after rejection but still submitting work, and the designer iterating over and over until the vision aligns with the result.
But what happens when talent decides to, you know, actually put in the effort? That’s when we hit the sweet spot. Talent, already a formidable force, becomes unstoppable with a dash of hustle. It’s the composer whose opus moves hearts, the designer whose work becomes iconic, or the storyteller whose narratives echo through generations.
In the creative industry, when talent hustles, we’re not just talking about success; we’re talking about influence, legacy, and innovation. It’s a combination that can not only keep up with the pace of an ever-changing world but set the pace itself.
If you find yourself as one of those lucky few imbued with natural talent, consider this a gentle kick up the backside. Put that talent to work, apply some hustle, and become the force you’re meant to be. The world won’t just watch out; it’ll be captivated.
And for those hustling without the assurance of innate talent? Keep at it. You’re more formidable than you think, and who knows, you might just out-hustle talent long enough for them to notice and up their game.
So, next time you find yourself weighing the merits of talent versus hustle, just remember: talent might get you to the starting line, but it’s the fusion of talent and hustle that gets you to the finish line—in style, no less.
