You Will Not Work Harder Than Me

Not in a boastful way, but truthfully, I'm frequently told I'm 'super' talented (whatever that means), and I usually nod in agreement. Growing up, I accepted that I was naturally gifted, and those without similar gifts would have to confront their unrealistic dreams or expectations. However, as I grew older, I realized how misleading that belief was. The notion that "some people are simply more talented, and you have to accept it" isn't entirely true.

Is it true? Well, yes and no! I'll clarify this topic because, honestly, it's not as complex as it seems.

To me, talent is the ability to adapt to certain skills with ease, flair, and consistency. It's typically defined as a 'natural aptitude or skill.'

Hard work, in my view, is a dedicated mindset that constantly drives, pushes, and strives to achieve a particular goal in life, whether big or small. It's generally defined as 'a great deal of effort or endurance.'

You might be born with the ability to learn skills faster and have a natural flair, but some of you may never sing at the level that you envision, no matter how long you live.

Harsh? But true. I've worked incredibly hard to master some of the skills I have. Talent is nothing without hard work; it's like working out at the gym. You can exercise all you want, but without a good diet, it won't take you far. For some, it leads to going in circles. Gym progress requires focusing on the other 70%+ of your health that comes from nutrition, rest and recovery.

Hard work is like nutrition because talent will only take you so far. In the end, talent may be a gift, but it has nothing to do with hard work. 'Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.'

Yes, talent can take you far, but no one succeeds on talent alone. Being talented in singing, dancing, designing, drawing, or sprinting can get you started, but it takes hours of study, effort, sweat, blood, and tears to perfect your craft and make a name for yourself in whatever you are called to do in this world.

Recap:

Talent is useful; it's your foundation, but you can't neglect hard work. In life, it's not about being the most talented but asking yourself daily: Am I being outworked?

For those who aren't as talented, don't worry. It just means you'll have to work a bit harder than others. You might need to read more, repeat routines, find various ways to concentrate, seek help regularly, evaluate yourself, or train for a few more months. Whatever it is, you'll have to take two steps to catch up to one, but life favors hard workers over the merely talented.

After early morning jogs, late-night practices, challenging rainy days, body aches, frustration, anger, disagreements, research, writing, headaches, and repetitions, I couldn't accept the label of 'super talented' pinned on me.

In fact, I challenge you. Don't just accept what you've been given; make the most of your talent. Go all out because the richest place on earth is the graveyard. Don't end up there without having spent all you have on earth first.

"The graveyard is the richest place on earth because it's where you'll find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books never written, the songs never sung, the inventions never shared, the cures never discovered, all because someone was too afraid to take that first step…"

Excuses, excuses, and more excuses. They sound better to those who make them. I encourage you to work hard, strive for your goals, and don't let a lack of talent be your excuse. Don't be outworked, and results will follow.