Why Your Efforts Counts Twice As Much As Talent?

Without effort, your talent is nothing more than unmet potential

Why do we have a tendency to attribute “natural talent” to people who excel in their field?

Most of us are born with natural talents, so it feels as if some of us excel without really trying. Those of us who do seem to find success easily boost a good work ethic as the main factor. We try to downplay our efforts because — we feel our talent does the talking for us.

What about those of us who don’t have a natural talent?

We’ve been told all of our lives that if you work hard, you can become successful. We believe our natural talent gives us an advantage in a competitive market.

We based our blueprint of success on talent alone.

But the most successful people value effort and persistence — the ability to work hard for a long time. Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Oprah Winfrey and other successful people value grit — the ability to keep going in the face of failure and rejections.

Angela Duckworth argues: “Without effort, your talent is nothing more than unmet potential. Without effort, your skill is more than what you could have done but didn’t.”

Which mindset do you have?

It’s important to recognise that, with effort and persistence, you can get better at things.

Talent x effort = skill

Skill x effort = Achievement

Basically means — talent is how quick your skills improve when you invest effort. Achievement is what happens when you take acquired skills and use them. Of course, your opportunities — for example, having a great coach or teacher — matters tremendously too, and more than anything about the individual.” — Angela Duckworth

Duckworth’s approach to learning — with effort, talent become skill, effect makes skill productive

You see talent, how fast we improve — absolutely matters. But effort factors into the calculations twice, not once.

Effort builds skill. At the very same time, effort makes skill productive. Focus on building the right systems around you — so you are able to consistently on what needs to be done. Forget focusing on the goals, focus on the systems first. If you’re an entrepreneur, your goal might be to build a million-dollar business.

Your system is how you test product ideas, hire employees and run marketing campaigns.

If you’re a writer, your goal might be to write a book.

Your system is how often you practice, how you break down and tackle difficult measures and your method for receiving feedback from your readers.

The purpose of setting goals is to win the game. The purpose of building systems is to continue playing the game. True long-term thinking is goal-less thinking. It’s not about any single accomplishment.

It is about the cycle of endless refinement and continuous improvement.

Ultimately, it is your commitment to the process that will determine your progress.

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