Takes no talent

I was an assistant coach at Little League this year and, at the end of every inning when we were fielding, I’d encourage the kids to run off the field rather than walk, especially if we’d just given up runs. I told the kids “don’t be last” and they’d race each other off.

It’s a small thing, but important. No one wants to see a kid slump off the field. We want them to hustle, be enthusiastic, focused on the next opportunity.

All of those tiny moments demonstrate that mindset is a choice. It’s ours to control in those small, somewhat boring, moments.

Because showing up early, carrying the bag, picking up equipment after practice, making eye contact, saying thank you…. all of these things take no talent. They require nothing but an open mind, an acknowledgement of what is in our control, and a willingness to act.

We can all do them. And it helps build our resilience.

Chop wood. Carry water.

A young Zen monk asked his master what he must do to achieve enlightenment.

The master replied: “Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.”

At first glance, the master’s response sounds far too anticlimactic and simple. In many minds, we would think that enlightenment should mean escaping the ordinary and feeling somewhat superhuman. But the lesson is that wisdom is actually about finding meaning in the ordinary.

Real mastery and understanding is built over time through quiet repetition. Showing up, being present, and doing the work. Even when it feels boring.

It’s focusing on doing the small things as well as we can. Again, the stuff that takes no talent.

Consistency.

Resilience is often confused with toughness, but I think it’s more about consistency. Doing the small things, especially when they’re hard or when no one’s watching.

In sport, this is the stuff like running off the baseball field instead of walking off. In business it could look like:

• Replying to that awkward email instead of ghosting it.

• Owning mistakes instead of deflecting blame.

• Showing up on time even when the day’s already chaotic.

• Bringing energy into a meeting that others are just trying to survive.

These actions don’t require elite skills. They require mindset and energy, both core elements of developing our resilience.

Why does it feel hard to do the simple stuff these days?

We live in a culture that celebrates breakthroughs, talent, and highlight reels. It’s far more exciting to dream about the promotion or the big game-winning catch than it is to tie our shoes or arrive five minutes early. The ordinary feels invisible compared to the extraordinary.

We also crave immediate payoffs these days. And saying thank you or showing up on time doesn’t feel like success in the moment. It feels so basic that we undervalue the slow burn of consistent habits.

Finally, we seem to overcomplicate a lot of things as a way of protection. We feel exposed if we can’t get the basics right so instead, we chase shiny hacks and distractions.

Instead, here are 4 ways we can do more of the stuff that takes no talent.

1. An effort checklist. We create a simple checklist of 5 “no-talent” actions we want to master daily (EG be punctual, respond within 24 hours, show gratitude). At the end of the day/meeting/call, score ourselves 1–5. This will help us move our focus from talent to consistency. And of course, what gets measured improves.

2. The first 5%. This is a focus on starting strong to give ourselves extra confidence. We do this simply by practicing the stuff that takes no talent early on. Be early to a meeting, smile at the start of a call, be prepared for the presentation. This is a good one because the opening impression often sets the tone and we get in the habit of setting a positive one.

3. Micro resets. This is ultimately a mindfulness practice. We have to practice catching ourselves in those tiny moments that we could improve. The way to do this is to take 10 seconds to reset as soon as we notice it ourselves. Then search for the next thing to do that costs nothing, requires no skill, but instantly raises our presence. If someone moves the goal posts on a project again, we can pause before responding, perhaps even force ourselves to be mindful and polite. That reset helps create the best version of ourselves.

4. Do just one. We can take five minutes and do a self-check and rate ourselves out of 10 on a few simple traits. This helps us see the opportunities to dial up. And then we choose one (just one!) to focus on for the week ahead. As an example, if we're late often, set one meeting this week to arrive 5 minutes early as a quiet discipline check for ourselves.

The stuff that takes no talent is often underrated. We miss it because it’s not flashy and fun. But it’s important! And if we want to be the best version of ourselves, there’s no shortcut. In the same way as we chop wood and carry water, resilience comes from showing up every day for the small, simple disciplines that sustain us.

Until next time friends, stay resilient and let’s run off the field today.

Carré @ Resilient Minds

PS – If your team needs a mindset reset right now, reply to this email and let’s talk. I’ve got resilience workshops ready to go.

PPS - something a little extra for you today.