We’ve all heard about talent.
Growing up, if we’re good at something – people tell us we’re talented.
But in order to really improve at something, talent is only one part of the equation.
In a lot of cases – it’s not even the most important one.
Talent exists, I’m not denying that.
But when you think about what talent is, in a lot of ways it’s an indicator that you have a natural “knack” for something.
It’s an indicator that whatever you posses a “talent” for is something that fits the way you naturally think, move or approach the world.
It might make the entry into whatever you want to do smoother and easier than most, but if you want to go any further – it comes down to work.
No matter how talented you are, you’ve still got to put in the work.
Talent doesn’t guarantee you have what it takes to put in the work and push through adversity.
That comes down to something else.
The ability to apply yourself and press on in the face of adversity will always trump talent.
I’ve heard a lot of stories from guitar players who said when they started playing, they didn’t seem to have much talent.
In fact, there were plenty of other people who started around the same time who seemed to have a lot more talent.
But they watched all these other talented players give up, lose interest or stop improving as they went on to become an amazing guitar player.
They realised results came from application and dedication, not from being called “talented” by your parents friends as a 10 year old.
Talent will get the credit, but the results are from hard work.
Talent is just hard work in disguise.