Hard Work beats Talent

Oh, hey.

Disclaimer:

Today's blog delves into a lot of personal realizations, and may carry a somewhat somber or reflective tone. While the content may come across as a bit heavy, I view this blog as a valuable learning experience, both for myself and for anyone who connects with it. Please take it with an open mind and an understanding that growth often comes through moments of revaluation.

If there ever comes a day when hard work and talent are placed head-to-head, hard work will undoubtedly emerge victorious. Talent, without hard work, is ultimately useless. I consider myself a talented person. I dance, I sing, I’m a Girl Scout, I was part of FLL, and I serve as the student council president. To achieve all of these accomplishments, however, I needed a significant amount of hard work.

While talent gave me a head start in my dance and Girl Scout journeys, it soon left me to fend for myself. As the years pass, I feel my talent wearing off. Yes, I’m good at math, but how long will that last? I went from being a class topper to just another average student. The girl who once wouldn’t settle for less than a 99 now settles for a low 80. Every year, my New Year’s resolutions fall short. I set resolutions to sing more, be more devoted to God, and learn to write in my native tongue. But these resolutions are rarely followed through. When I do take action, it’s only for a week or so before I lose motivation and let it go.

The world is a tough place, and as I get older, I realize that my natural abilities may not be enough to succeed. Many of the things I’ve accomplished, like earning my Silver Award badge and leading my team to victory, required considerable effort and hard work beforehand. As I get older, I find it harder to keep myself focused on a goal.

I've come to a realization that I may not be enough. I know I’m a great person, and what I’ve accomplished so far is significant, but sometimes, it feels like I need more than just my current skill set to thrive in this world. As humans, we tend to both underestimate and overestimate ourselves. These past few years, I have found myself drowning in a puddle of realization—frustration, sadness, and at times, anger. Yet, in the midst of it all, there is still a bottle of hope.

I’ve come to understand that talent can only take you so far. Without hard work, it becomes insufficient, and the path to success becomes much more difficult. The lesson I’m learning is that it’s not just talent that leads to achievement, but the consistent effort and determination to keep going, even when things get tough. The harder I work, the more progress I’ll make, even if that means overcoming obstacles or pushing through moments of self-doubt.

Puzzled

-AMS