Genius at first is little more than a great capacity for receiving discipline.

Whatever raw ability someone has tends to show up early as a willingness to be corrected. Taking instruction, repeating the dull part and absorbing criticism without collapsing is what turns a promising beginner into anything, and it looks nothing like brilliance while it is happening. Talent that will not be taught stays where it started.

If you want to get better at something, the fastest route is a person allowed to tell you what is wrong with your work. Ask for specifics and resist explaining yourself. The urge to defend is what stands between you and the next stretch.