Rediscovering a Forgotten Talent: Relearning How to Learn

When I was a child, I would spend hours drawing every day. I had a knack for it—sketching comics, cars, country flags, soccer jerseys—everything I was interested in at the time. For a while, it seemed like I might pursue a career down that path. As I grew older, my focus gradually shifted towards the sciences. Still drawing, I started sketching house plans, and in my naivety, decided I would become a civil engineer. After all, it seemed to revolve around creating those kinds of drawings. Of course, as you grow, you begin to understand the complexity of such a profession.

I started high school at a technical school with a clear vision of pursuing civil engineering. But there, as I was exposed to programming and technology, I decided to pursue a career in IT instead. This shift took shape during my time at Escola Técnica Tupy. Perhaps it was partly influenced by my family—both my father and older brother were already in the field. While in technical school, I almost pivoted to graphic computing, inspired by an exceptional teacher, Giu Vicente. Ultimately, practicalities like internships steered me to Logocenter, now TOTVS, where I started as a developer and began my 23-year journey in IT.

Recently, with the rise of AI and the explosion of solutions in the visual space, I’ve found myself revisiting this forgotten passion. In my spare time, I’ve been tinkering with these “hidden” talents from my past—experimenting with animations, editing images and videos, and being genuinely amazed by what can now be achieved. Even more so, I’m in awe of what I see being created by others. This field, like many others, is on the brink of significant evolution. I feel fortunate to be part of a community with incredible talent, such as those in AI Brasil, who continue to inspire me.

As Vitor Olivier, CTO of Nubank, said during a talk: “What was impossible is now possible. But what was difficult is still difficult.” Just because we now have technology that simplifies processes and democratizes access, it doesn’t mean excelling in it is easy. Recreational use is one thing. Using these tools professionally and at a high level is another. Solutions like Runway, MidJourney, Kling, and Flux may seem intuitive, but mastering them demands creative skills that not everyone possesses. Prompt engineering, for example, has its own intricacies. Creativity and expertise remain essential, and for those already in this space, these tools have likely amplified their capabilities. For others, staying out of this wave could mean falling behind.

I’m currently reading a book that resonates deeply with this moment in history and the theme of learning: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. It highlights the environments and circumstances that enabled individuals, often seen as geniuses, to achieve extraordinary success. The narrative underscores that it wasn’t merely innate talent but a combination of effort and context that made the difference.

Two key factors stand out so far—effort and environment.

On effort, one study suggests that becoming highly skilled in any field requires at least 10,000 hours of practice. Reflecting on my own story, my time away from drawing during my adult years clearly left me far from that threshold. And this is the difference between a hobbyist, a professional, and a renowned expert.

The second factor, environment, highlights how circumstances can create early access to opportunities that help individuals reach those 10,000 hours ahead of others, turning this into a competitive advantage. The book presents several cases, including a standout example: a group of young Americans born in the 1950s who had early access to computers before they became mainstream. This advantage positioned them to become some of the most influential entrepreneurs of this century.

I believe we are living through a similar era. Those who gain early access to new technologies or skills that AI and other trends amplify will have a significant edge in the coming years—provided they dedicate themselves to mastering these opportunities.

For those interested in the book:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3228917-outliers

Fun fact: Bill Gates was born on October 28, 1955, and Steve Jobs on February 24, 1955.