In his sophomore year of high school, Michael Jordan was cut from his school’s basketball team. While many might sit and cry over this fact, Jordan did not. He got up and practiced everyday. He knew if he did, he would make the team the following year. The author of the famous Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling, was rejected by 12 publishers. She didn’t give up. She continued to send in her manuscript, taking the criticism in stride. After publishing, the book was a hit. It has now sold millions of copies in over 70 different languages.

These people didn’t have talent on their side. They had to work for what they accomplished. Even after gaining success, their work ethic didn’t change. They kept trying, and, in turn, they kept succeeding. It didn’t matter what they talents they had been given. They worked hard regardless. It does pay off. 

Talent is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as “a special often athletic, creative, or artistic aptitude.” This means that talent is something that a person has been born with. Something they didn’t have to work for. Hard work is defined by the same source as “constantly, regularly, or habitually engaged in earnest work.” This is working towards something. Having a goal and giving all to achieve it. Talent and hard work are two very different things, and they both can get a person in very different places. Out of the two, hard work guarantees the best results. 

Talent is virtually useless without hard work. A person cannot expect to be the star of the basketball team if they sit on the couch all year until the season starts. The star is going to be the person putting in effort every practice. Someone who always goes the extra mile. Someone who is willing to make the necessary sacrifices. When talent is worked on through hard work, determination, and perseverance, there is nothing stopping that person. They are going to reach the top, not because they started there, but because they climbed their way there. 

Recent studies have shown that hard work is a great indicator of future success. A person’s success lies in their will to succeed. Consistent determination and self-belief is the foundation of hard work. Having these qualities lead to personal achievements.

Even people that the world views as ‘untalented’ can make it through hard work and perseverance. Skills can be acquired through pursuing interesting fields. The ‘untalented’ may think building these skills take more time than people that are ‘talented’ but being discouraged won’t help. The ‘untalented’ aren’t untalented. They have just as many opportunities. 

When you realize that hard work is what really matters, you will be able to pursue your dreams without hesitation. People might be discouraging. They might try to drag everyone down with them, but know that there is no reason you can’t be incredibly successful.