When I was younger I used to think that “some people” was just born with certain gifts, or talents. I used to think that certain attributes or qualities was just bestowed to a person.
Like for example I used to think like this: This guy is just naturally gifted at playing soccer or basketball (or some other sport), or this guy is just naturally talented to sing, or this guy just have more discipline than me so he can do it (whatever it is).
I really thought that way for a very long time…
But that is not true, that is bullshit and far far from the truth.
What really makes anyone truly great at anything is: EFFORT!
It all comes down to the amount of effort they put in.
Sure some people they are preexposed to having certain talents, or they might be naturally gifted at certain things, but greatness and real success comes (without a doubt) from EFFORT and putting in that WORK!
Remember: just because you might have a talent, that does not guarantee that you are going to be successful.
Actually it is more likely quite the contrary. For example, Stephen King (one of the most successful authors of our time) said that: Talent is cheaper than salt, what separates the talented individual from the successful individual is effort. It is hard work.
So how did Stephen King become one of the most successful authors of our time? Well you should know that he writes for atleast 4 hours EVERY DAY. Think about that for a second. He is already successful but he still writes for 4 hours every day. Ho doesn´t do it just to put out a new book every three months.
He do it to improve and become better at writing! He knows that improvement comes from effort.
NOBODY IS NATURALLY GREAT AT ANYTHING.
You might be naturally good at something but to become great and successful you have to put in work and effort.
You probably know who Jerry Seinfeld is? He is a VERY successful comedian (if you do not know) Many people might think that he is naturally gifted at being funny.
He writes jokes every day! He sits down an “block away” everything else and sits down and write jokes. EVERYDAY. EVERYDAY!
There are many more examples of this. Take Michael Jordan the greatest basketball player of all time (in my opinion). He was not even given a spot in his highschool team…
I think many many people would call Michael Jordan a naturally gifted dude :o)
But he did not even make the highschool team!!
So what did he do? Went home and gave up his dreams? NO! He putted in MORE and MORE EFFORT! He started to practice for hours before school and for more hours after school until he took place in the team, and he continued to “extra practice” throughout his career… We all know about how that went! :o)
DO NOT SIT AND CRY BECAUSE SOMEONE ELSE IS BETTER THAN YOU AT SOMETHING!
Michael Jordan did not do that.
No! He started to work and put in the effort until he was just as good as the rest of the highschool team.
Then he continued to work until he was better than everyone in the team!
Then he continued to put in the effort until he was better than anyone he played with or against!
AND THEN: He continued to put in the effort until he was better than anyone that has ever played the game of basketball!!!
If he was just naturally gifted he wouldn´t have to do all that, right?
Kobe Bryant (one of the best basketball players of out time) takes 2,000 shoots EVERYDAY! If he was just naturally gifted at shooting a ball into a basket he would not have to do that, right?
If Stephen King was just naturally gifted he would not have to work everyday, right? He would not have to work 4 hours every day to improve he´s skills, right?
When was the last time you spent 4hours doing anything?
Think about the things that you want to accomplish in life, think about your dreams. Have you spent 4 hours every day for a consistent amount of time to go for those dreams?
Probably not.
Why not?
What are you waiting for!? Stop waste time!
Hope this helps.
John
Founder of: Start Make Stop Waste
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