I’d been thinking of this post for a while. I decided to write it sooner than later after reading another blog, onespoonatatime. Excellent reading. The post is: Do You Believe In Natural Talent? As amazing as the post is, the comments are even better. It is much more in depth than my offering. I will not cite many examples as my desire is merely to get my point across.
My opinion is this:
Natural talent has been evident in too many ways for me to dismiss it. In just about any endeavor, all things being equal, natural talent will win out. If the practice, coaching, hours put in is the same, natural ability comes out on top.
Does this bother you? Why?
It is not disheartening to me to know that if I put in x number of hours (10,000 being the goal) that I will still not be as good as someone else. I will not be the best. Fine. No sweat.
I also believe that the best at any one undertaking has rarely been seen. No matter what field we mention, there are those who could have been better, but never materialized.
So what am I trying to say?
Only the very thing Calvin Coolidge said many years ago which is actually my aforementioned ‘point’:
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
~ Calvin Coolidge
“I may fail, but it won’t be today.”
In the end, I’m not troubled at all knowing some are more naturally talented than I am. Being willing to go the ‘extra mile’ is what will separate most of us. Pushing through in the face of adversity. Having the mental fortitude to say, “I may fail, but it won’t be today. I may fall 9 times, but I’ll get up 10. I will pursue excellence through diligence, but with the understanding that, I don’t have to finish on top to win.”
Few in life finish on top as ‘records are made to be broken’. A Bronze Medal would be great for the eighth place finisher. But, even that eighth place finisher knows that they took it as far as they could. They pursued excellence, and held tightly. They competed. They left it all on the court.
- How many of us can say that?
- How many will leave the talented behind by way of persistence?
- How many will out work the competition?
There is ALWAYS room at the top (or, real close) for those willing to put the effort forth.
As Coolidge cited so eloquently, ‘press on’.
My charge to you my friend is, ‘press on’.
Quit dipping your toes and jump in, the water feels fine.
Agree? Disagree? Why?
Live it LOUD!
Rob
