Talent vs Hard Work: What Matters More?

Talent vs Hard Work: What Matters More? “Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.” ~Stephen King

Talent + Hard Work: What Matters More?

This personal essay was inspired solely by this quote because it’s so true. There are certainly a ton of people out there that are better letterers, artists, writers, and bloggers than me. But you’d be hard-pressed to find many people that are willing to put in all the hard work it takes to follow their dreams. I’m a person who is willing to put in that hard work.

Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work. ~Stephen King

I find it so inspiring to know that hard work can make up for what talents I lack. And I hope this also inspires those of you who, like me, may struggle with not feeling as talented as someone else.

Make Your Own Luck

You’re so lucky.

People say this to me quite often. And I do feel lucky. I love my job and I love being my own boss. But it really isn’t luck that got me where I am. It was hard work and a lot of it!

Success almost never comes overnight. It usually takes years (or even decades) to find it and it’s an ongoing process. The hard work doesn’t stop once “you’ve arrived”.

You keep showing up and you keep putting in the work each day!

Luck? I don’t know anything about luck.

I’ve never banked on it and I’m afraid of people who do.

Luck to me is something else:

Hard work – and realizing what is opportunity and what isn’t.

-Lucille Ball

Hard Work vs. Workaholic

It’s important to note that there’s a difference between being a hard worker and a workaholic. I certainly tow the line at times. Last year, when I was suffering from major burnout, I wrote a long post on this topic called “How I Increased My Productivity by Doing Less“.

Less but better. It’s a battle I have to actively work to keep in check. Busyness and having an overpacked schedule kills my spirit (and my productivity). I’m happier and put out better work when I don’t over commit (in both my work life and personal life).