Dr. Piers Steel

Hard Work Beats Talent (But Only If Talent Doesn’t Work Hard)

Hard work vs. talent: who wins.

Posted October 8, 2011 | Reviewed by Ekua Hagan

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In a world where we are ridiculously overcommitted to making sure everyone is equal in every way, a new study just published in Psychological Science contains some sobering news you might not like.

In their paper " Limits on the Predictive Power of Domain-Specific Experience and Knowledge in Skilled Performance ," David Hambrick and Elizabeth Meinz kill the myth that talent doesn't matter. We would love to believe, of course, that all we need to do to be the best is to try hard enough. You can be anything you want as long as you really want it: rocket scientist, pop icon, sports hero. There is no shortage of popular pundits promoting this myth.

As Hambrick and Meinz point out:

Malcolm Gladwell (2008) commented that '"The relationship between success and IQ works only up to a point. Once someone has reached an IQ of somewhere around 120, having additional IQ points doesn't seem to translate into any measurable real world advantage" (pp. 78-79). In his own bestselling book, The Social Animal, David Brooks (2011) expressed the same idea: "A person with a 150 IQ is in theory much smarter than a person with a 120 1Q, but those additional 30 points produce little measurable benefit when it comes to lifetime success" (p. 165). Malcolm Gladwell and David Brooks are simply wrong. At least in science, a high level of intellectual ability puts a person at a measurable advantage—and the higher the better.

The people peddling this notion that talent is irrelevant often cite a 1993 paper by Ericsson, Krampe, and Tech-Romer regarding deliberate practice in which the researchers argue that success is usually built upon purposeful, thoughtful and intense efforts to improve performance over about 10,000 hours.

This is true; hard work does pay off. The Beatles got to be so good because they had to perform their music four hours a day (eight days a week) during their two-year stint in Hamburg. Bobby Fischer became a grandmaster at chess after years of honing his skills at the Brooklyn Chess Club.

But that wasn't the question. What we want to know is whether hard work makes talent irrelevant. Will every group that jams together for 10,000 hours become the Fab Four and every chess obsessed child become a world champion?

Hambrick and Meinz showed the basic relationship between hard work and talent in this chart. The vertical axis measures your level of performance. Higher up means spectacular. The horizontal axis charts your innate talent — in this case, cognitive ability or what the rest of the world refers to as " intelligence ." Further to the right means super smart. The two lines refer to different levels of deliberate practice. The red line refers to those who have put in the hours while the blue refers to those who haven't made the effort.

There are two things to take away from this. The first is that being smart is a useful thing to inherit, right up there with a large trust fund. The more smarts you have, the higher your performance. And despite what Gladwell and Brooks say, intelligence's benefits don't disappear; the more innate talent of any sort you have, the better off you are going be.

If you take a careful look, however, you will notice that those of us with more modest abilities do have a chance. Even if you weren't born with genius in your genes , you can outperform the smartest of individuals as long as you work hard and the latter doesn't . Also, the differences between the smart and the not-so-smart shrink quite a bit if they both work hard. That means that talent still counts, but hard work puts you right up there.

Unless you are in a profession where there can only be one winner, like going for Olympic gold, this is pretty good news. With hard work, at the bare minimum you can be good at what you do. And though you might never be the best, you can give the best performers a run for their money. On the other hand, if you have chosen a career where only the very, very best succeed, you better be born with a lot of talent.

Necessarily, people who are exceptionally talented are also exceptionally rare. But from what we know about the prevalence of procrastination , people who work hard are also pretty rare too. Most of the time, you are going to end up competing against rivals with one of these attributes, talent or hard work, not both. Those with natural aptitude and the willingness to put in the effort are as rare as diamonds and twice as valuable. If you see one, take a picture, get an autograph, and wish them good luck. This world has problems and we especially need people like them.

hard work beats talent essay

As for us mortals, let's take one more look at the chart. Is it better to be hardworking with modest talents (the low end of the red line) or smart but lazy (the high end of the blue line)? The answer is cut and dried: Hard work wins out.

I told you might not like the news. But if you are ready to work hard, to change procrastination into motivation , you now know where to get started. Just look at the title of this post.

Want to learn more about yourself? Take one of our online surveys on different aspects of your personality and get immediate feedback.

Dr. Piers Steel

Piers Steel has a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and is a professor of procrastination at the University of Calgary.

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How Hard Work Beats Talent When It Comes To Success

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Success Mindset

Why hard work is better than talent.

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We live in an achievement-obsessed society that is quick to apply the labels “talented” and “gifted” to everyone who has accomplished anything of note. Successful people are often portrayed as superhuman, born with magical abilities that separate them from the rest of the human race. For instance, award-winning actors are touted as talented, as are people who have succeeded in business. If the person in question is young, they are especially likely to be labeled this way.

The media isn’t interested in hard work, or how much effort so-called gifted and talented people have to put in before they see results. Our society now judges someone on their accomplishments, and assumes that they must have inborn gifts. We don’t stop and appreciate the effort that goes into a bestselling novel, a high-performing company, or a stunning piece of artwork. We tend to just assume that “talent” naturally gives rise to excellent results.

You can see this belief operating across society. For example, operating under the assumption that someone is either born talented or average, companies often use IQ tests to scan their applicant pools for people who supposedly show the most potential to outshine their peers. Businesses are obsessed with spotting and training the “very best.” In many cases, the “very best” is equated to “people who seem to have been born with innate ability.”

The truth about hard work

Why Hard Work is Better Than Talent

Although the media would have you believe otherwise, hard work really does trump talent. When you first meet or hear about a successful person, it’s easy to believe that they must have been born in possession of fabulous gifts. In reality, there are numerous examples of famous people who have relied on hard work.

For example, legendary basketball player Michael Jordan was dropped from his high school basketball team, but would go on to become one of the greatest sportspeople of all time. Animation pioneer Walt Disney was told that he had “no original ideas” and “lacked imagination” by the newspaper that fired him, and Oprah Winfrey was once advised that she “wasn’t fit for television.” These stories illustrate that not every successful person finds immediate success and recognition. It’s hard work and perseverance that ultimately pays off.

The power of labels

What happens when someone is told that they are talented? Sometimes, they will become complacent and lose the incentive to improve themselves. For example, a kid who is told throughout high school that they are naturally smart might assume that they will breeze through college. They might never bother to develop the skills needed to study hard and learn new material, as they think that they will be able to ace any class. College might come as a real shock to them, and because they have not bothered to learn study skills, they might find themselves struggling to cope.

Someone who has been explicitly told that they are in no way gifted or talented might become discouraged and stop following their dreams. For example, someone who takes up art classes in their thirties or forties and is told by their teacher that they don’t really have an aptitude for painting might become depressed, especially if they have waited for years to build up the confidence levels required to sign up for the class in the first place. The world could miss out on some wonderful paintings as the result of a single comment from the teacher.

To call someone “talented” can also be an act of rudeness. It implies that the person did not have to rely on their own hard work to achieve success, which belittles their efforts and shows an ignorance of how personal growth and development really happens behind the scenes. Calling someone talented also lets yourself off the hook and gives you permission to be lazy – after all, if someone else is talented and you are not, why even bother trying to achieve a similar level of success?

In short, labeling someone “talented” or “gifted” is not a straightforward compliment. The very notion that some people are born innately better than others is not constructive.

How to master your unique power

It’s true that we are all stronger in some areas than others, but hard work is the real secret to success. There are three steps you must follow in order to achieve your full potential.

First, ask yourself what interests you the most.

Why Hard Work is Better Than Talent

What do you think about most often? What do you care about most? What do you like to do in your spare time? What satisfies you? If you aren’t sure of your tastes and skills, try a few new hobbies or investigate a few new topics.

Second, work on actively building your strengths in this area.

Why Hard Work is Better Than Talent

For instance, if you have discovered that you love art, choose a medium and find resources that will help you master this specific skill. You could take classes, find a mentor, or track down materials that allow you to teach yourself. Think about the basic skills you need first, and work on acquiring them. Practice is your friend here. The more you do, the better!

Third, make sure that you keep getting feedback from a range of sources.

Why Hard Work is Better Than Talent

Let them tell you what is working well, and what needs improvement. Successful people never stop learning, and they appreciate constructive criticism. Take other people’s comments on board, commit yourself to ongoing improvement, and never stop working hard! It doesn’t matter whether other people think you are talented or not. What matters is your personal effort and work.

Embrace your work and believe in yourself

When you realize that hard work is what truly matters, you will feel free to pursue your dreams.

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So what if someone tells you that you don’t have any innate ability, or that you don’t show a great deal of potential in any particular domain?

You now know that if you choose to follow a path that holds interest for you, and are willing to devote yourself to building up a strong set of skills, there is no reason why you can’t be incredibly successful. And if someone ever does label you “talented” or “gifted,” be sure to remind them that it was hard work that made all the difference.

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Insideout Mastery - Thrive with Purpose & Confidence

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Thrive with Purpose & Confidence

Talent vs Hard Work: What Is More Important for Success?

December 21, 2021

What do you believe is more important: talent or hard work?

If you believe that talent is important, you may not pursue your dreams because you don’t believe that you got what it takes.

But is it enough to just work hard?

In this article, we will take a look at talent and hard work. And we will try to answer the question: is hard work more important than talent?

Why is talent important for success?

Everyone has some talents.

But how important is it for success?

Well, that depends…

Take a look at Wolfgang Mozart . He composed his first musical masterpiece at the age of 5. And at the age of 7, he went on his first tours to perform his abilities for the world.

Clearly, talent plays a tiny role here.

But could he achieve the same success if it only came down to hard work?

It’s a difficult question to answer.

What we do know for sure is that talent certainly plays a key role in achieving success fast. And if you want to become the very best in your field, talent gives you a head start for sure.

But does that mean you can’t achieve success without talent?

How important is hard work?

Let’s take a look at Kobe Bryant . He scored 0 points over the Summer Basketball League when he was 12 years old. 

Not quite the kid you expect to become a basketball star.

Yet, Kobe Bryant became one of the greats. He is in the top 5 of the NBA’s all-time scoring list, passing the great Michael Jordan.

So how did he do it?

When he scored 0 points in the summer league, Kobe felt that he embarrassed his dad. But while most people would give up, Kobe turned his emotion into his biggest driver.

Kobe became obsessed with hard work .

When you somewhat know the story of Kobe Bryant, you’ll attribute his success to a set of skills that have nothing to do with talent – and everything to do with hard work.

In other words, you can become super successful without talent.

But what is more important: talent or hard work?

In a perfect world, everyone who has the ambition would work relentlessly and easily overcome challenges. If that were the case, talent would beat hard work every time.

But we don’t live in a perfect world.

Just because talent gives you an edge at first, success won’t be handed to you. Instead, you still need to work incredibly hard to achieve what you want.

So if you lack talent, you can outwork talented people. You just need to work a little harder on yourself and your craft than those who are talented to achieve greatness. 

Of course, that’s not an easy task.

But certainly not impossible.

Talent helps you on the way, but without hard work, you will simply be outworked. So whether you have talent or not, you will always need to work hard.

Besides, talent is something you either do or do not have. But work ethic is a habit you can develop, which will bring you much further in life.

That’s why hard work always beats talent.

The synergy between hard work and talent

Here’s an interesting final thought…

If you like what you do, chances are that you are somewhat talented in that area. Usually, we gravitate towards areas that lie within our strength.

And if you don’t like what you do, chances are that you won’t work hard enough to succeed. It will be quite the challenge to stay consistent and persevere if you lack joy.

Either way, don’t be obsessed with whether you have talent or not…

Instead, become obsessed with pursuing a path you love and then work hard to achieve your success. That’s how you will outwork those who rely on talent.

Here’s the conclusion:

Talent can give you a head-start , but hard work beats talent when it comes to success.

What’s next?

While talent can provide an initial advantage, hard work surpasses talent every time in achieving long-term success.

Key takeaways:

  • Both talent and hard work play a role in success. Talent provides initial advantages (consider child prodigies) whereas hard work can compensate for a lack of early talent (consider people like Kobe Bryant).
  • The synergy between liking what you do and your talent enhances motivation and perseverance, while lacking joy in your pursuit can hinder success.
  • Slight talent and work go hand in hand. You experience more joy when you work within your personal strengths . And you’re more likely to work hard at something you somewhat enjoy doing. So if you find something you enjoy , don’t let a lack of talent hold you back.

Dive deeper into these topics with these great resources:

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Can Hard Work Beat Talent?

To achieve greatness you need a growth mindset and a little spark of inspiration..

hard work beats talent essay

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It has been said that genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. But is this actually the case? Can grit and determination replace natural talent? British researcher Chia-Jung Tsay set out to determine whether inspiration or perspiration was actually more valuable and she came across some surprising results.

The naturalness bias The BBC explains, Tsay’s work revolved around the “naturalness bias.” First described by author Malcolm Gladwell in a 2002 presentation to the American Psychological Association, the naturalness bias theorizes that just like people prefer natural products to synthetic products, people respect inborn talent more than acquired skills.

As Gladwell explained in his presentation, “On some fundamental level, we believe that the closer something is to its original state, the less altered or adulterated it is, the more desirable it is.” 

Tsay conducted a number of studies to put Gladwell’s theory to the test. One study took place at Harvard University, where Tsay took a group of trained musicians and gave them two clips to listen to from Stravinsky’s Trois Mouvements de Petrouchka composition. Although both tracks were played by the same pianist, Tsay told participants there were two separate pianists, and gave the listeners divergent biographical information to accompany each clip.

One clip was accompanied by information that emphasized the natural talent the musician had, whereas the other focused on the effort they had put in to learn to play the piano. Afterwards, participants rated both performances. What Tsay found is that although the same pianist had performed both tracks, participants tended to rank the track that accompanied the biography emphasizing natural talent as better than the track accompanied by the biography emphasizing hard work.

A similar study, where participants listened to an entrepreneur describe a business plan elicited similar results. Half the participants heard the entrepreneur describe their natural ability, alongside the business plan, whereas the other half heard the entrepreneur describe their effort and determination, alongside the exact same plan. Again, participants, including investors and businesspeople, rated the clip that emphasized natural talent, above the one that emphasized effort.

Tsay even found that this “naturalness bias” emerges as early as five years old. Kindergarteners listened to two stories, one about a child who was naturally popular and one about a child who worked to achieve social skills and build friendships. The students preferred the naturally social child to the determined child. Tsay writes in the study that, “The naturalness bias is very generalizable across domains, ages and cultures.”

How do we present ourselves? So, does that mean that inspiration actually trumps perspiration? That inborn talent is actually better than hard work? Not quite. There’s more to the story than meets the eye.

For starters, even though people tend to innately prefer those with natural talent, people also prefer to present themselves as hard workers rather than inherently gifted individuals. For example, the musicians who rated the clips in Tsay’s study above were asked what they thought was more important – hard work or talent, and nearly all of them voted on hard work being the more important factor.

Tsay’s colleague, Clarissa Cortland surveyed 6,000 business leaders on how they accomplished their business and career goals. 80 percent attributed their success to hard work, rather than natural ability. Cortland tells BBC, ““There’s an instinctive shift to ‘striver descriptions’ when self-presentational motives are high.”

These 6,000 leaders are just a few of many accomplished individuals who claimed that their hard work, rather than natural talent, got them where they are today. Acclaimed writer Octavia Butler was quoted as saying, “Forget talent. If you have it, fine. Use it. If you don’t have it, it doesn’t matter. As habit is more dependable than inspiration, continued learning is more dependable than talent. 

And, footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo when describing his career journey claimed that, “Talent without work is nothing.” In other words, when it comes to evaluating other’s accomplishments, people seem predisposed to prefer “naturalness,” but when it comes to describing one’s own accomplishments, people seem predisposed to prefer grit and hard work.

Growth mindset Those people who presented themselves as being the product of effort and perspiration may be onto something. The Harvard Business Review cites the value of a growth mindset. In contrast to a fixed mindset, where one believes their abilities and talents are set in stone, someone with a growth mindset thinks they can expand and improve on their abilities via hard work, learning, and practice. 

Having a growth mindset is linked with a number of benefits, including actually being able to accomplish and achieve more. When it comes to projects that require teamwork or collaboration, companies that emphasize growth mindsets find that their employees are more committed and communicative.

Essentially, this means that whether or not the statement “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration,” is true or not, just believing that it’s true, and putting in the effort to achieve, can actually provide the inspiration and the perspiration needed for success.

What does this mean for you? Synthesizing Tsay’s surprising research with the concept of a growth mindset reveals some important strategies that people can use when presenting themselves to others. Firstly, putting in the effort and believing that one’s grit and determination can get them far in life, can actually help one accomplish their goals.

Secondly, as BBC indicates, even though one may be inclined to emphasize hard work over inherent ability, that may not be the best strategy when it comes to presenting oneself. Although people can’t disregard the need for the 99 percent perspiration, people should be aware of the naturalness bias. It may be helpful in some cases to point out or focus on inborn talent.

On the other hand,Christina Brown, an associate professor at Arcadian University in Pennsylvania told BBC that the naturalness bias manifests in solo jobs — things like composing music or developing a business strategy — where there’s one “star performer.”

Brown suggests that in careers where teamwork and cooperation are key factors for succeeding, interviewers and colleagues may actually prefer candidates who emphasize hard work and collaboration.

Overall, Tsay says that nuance and honesty is probably the best strategy. She suggests that when presenting oneself, one doesn’t focus overly on either hard work or natural ability. “It’s possible that we have just been emphasizing all the hours of effort and education,” Tsay says “But there are still some things that probably came easier to us, and it’s OK to reveal those to balance out the narrative.”

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Hard Work vs. Talent: The Eternal Debate

“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” — Albert Einstein, German-American physicist. “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” — Michael Jordan, American pro basketball player. “Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.” — Stephen King, American writer.

Hard Work vs. Talent: The Eternal Debate

One of the cornerstones of American culture is the concept of human equality: the notion that while some of us may be born into better circumstances than others, we all have equal rights as human beings to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We’ve enshrined that status in the very documents that declare and outline our system of government.

But as equal as we may be in the eyes of the law, it would be a mistake to assume or assert we’re all the same . We all have things that come more easily for us than they do for other people, even the very first time we try them. Like it or not, we can’t doubt the existence of the elusive quality we call talent .

Maybe you find it easy to play the clarinet, or chess makes intuitive sense to you. Dealing with people may be a snap; or perhaps you’ve got an instinctive flair for time management skills. Talents pop up for everything in every corner of life. You can learn a skill or get better at something, but it appears you either possess a talent, or you don’t, with no in between. Why?

Like most of the big “Whys” in our world, the answer to that one remains uncertain. There may be a genetic component to it. Many people have a “talent” for rolling their tongues, while others lacking a certain gene can’t roll their tongues at all…no matter how hard they try.

Recently, the New York Times reported that all else being equal, those with innate talents—especially in terms of intelligence—tend to do better in life than their less-talented colleagues. That makes sense…but so do the studies that suggest that in the long run, hard work and constant practice can overcome a lack of natural talent, which can often take people farther and higher than talent alone. Like the nature vs. nurture debate, this one will no doubt drag on for decades before we reach a consensus—if that ever happens at all.

It probably won’t, because let’s be blunt here: when it comes to human intellect and behavior, pat answers rarely exist beyond the realm of children’s stories. Perhaps “practice makes perfect” comes closest to reality. Research by psychologist Anders Ericsson (popularized by writer Malcolm Gladwell) estimates it takes about 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert at anything. This applies most obviously to music and sports, but it also extends to mundane activities like business skills, learning to write well, driving, even housework. We just don’t see these sorts of things celebrated they way we do Yo Ya Ma’s cello playing or Michael Jordan’s basketball skills.

For every Mozart who excelled as a child prodigy, we have an Albert Einstein, who did only reasonably well at math in school (the popular misconception that he failed is a myth) but later built himself into the world’s top physicist. Better yet, consider Tiger Woods, who started playing golf at the age of 18 months before going on to become a superstar in the sport starting at age 18. Does Woods have talent? Indubitably. Did almost two decades of constant practice hone his talent to a keen edge? Absolutely.

If talent trumped hard work, then would the most famous basketball player in history have started out on his junior varsity high school team? Well, he did. Michael Jordan’s coach didn’t even think he deserved to be in his school’s top 10 players. Jordan undeniably has talent; but combining it with hard work, and pushing himself well beyond the required workouts, got him into the Hall of Fame, not just talent.

When it comes to success, I believe three qualities—hard work, persistence, and desire—hold greater value than sheer talent. Just about anyone of normal intelligence can learn to accomplish any human activity or behavior competently—IF that person practices enough, day in and day out. Sometimes, talent can actually hinder accomplishment. If you tell someone over and over they have a talent for something, they may just decide they don’t have to work hard to succeed. Needless to say, we don’t hear much about those people, do we?

You can make it without innate talent if you work hard—no doubt about it. Conversely, you’re less likely to succeed by depending on talent alone. Those of us who make the big time usually do so because we combine talent with hard work and determination.

The lesson here? Talent does give you an edge—you can’t deny that. But hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.

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Really enjoyed the article. I’ve always been a bit jealous of those with natural talent. Seems as though most of us require the 10,000 hours of practice or more!

Even the most talented people would do well to put in that practice time!

You right!!!!!!! Talented people need to work hard in order to actually use the talent.

I have also found highly talented people failing because of a lack of discipline and hard work. As a note: Einstein was in fact a very talented math student. Significantly above average for his peers….however….I still agree with the message. Talent does not mean easy.

Talent always always has an edge… Obviously, talent is nothing without hard work. If you dont apply it, you won’t get any returns. But if you do that, hard workers would find it impossible to catch up. This depends on the field of work too. You can become a good doctor by hard work. But you can’t be a Messi or a Michael Schumacher or a great scientist or a great entrepreneur or a great manager with hard work alone. Edison was a great scientist. He probably depended on hard work. But on the other hsnd, Tesla was an exceptional talent. And his theory that AC is better than DC did pass the test of time. Tesla never got the attention he deserved. But if you go through the books, you’ll know who is better. Talent matters. Do a self analysis and understand the field in which your talent lies. 🙂

I can’t argue with your examples, but those are extraordinary savants. What about the “normal” people like us? For example, there are speakers out there who are MUCH better platform presenters than I am. But they aren’t nearly as successful (not that I’m a celebrity, but I do well for myself), because they don’t put their nose to the grindstone like I do every day. Talent will only get you so far, and then hard work takes over where talent can’t. It’s similar to strategy execution. An organization with a brilliant strategy, executed in a mediocre fashion, won’t do as well as an organization with a mediocre strategy, brilliantly executed.

I don’t have any 🙁

Unfortunately, this study is already old. A new study said the opposite. Talenmt is more important than hard work. Hard work is useful just for talented people. People that have no talent, can’t reach not even decent skills, it doesn’t matter what.

Great article, but the Michael Jordan argument is flawed. His coach put him on the J/V team so he could receive more play time. He was good enough to play on the varsity team but would have to split time with other players. Michael Jordan being the arrogant person that he is (perhaps one of the few that is entitled to) took it as an affront and misconstrues the story on a regular basis to make his come up a rags to riches story.

I think I’m going to use this information to talk to our photo club members. I’ve noticed that there are many who oooh! and ahhh! over other members’ photos but never send any of theirs in for critique. I’ve learned more from other’s critiquing my photography than from all the compliments I’ve received.

Lynda, I agree! I’d much rather receive a constructive comment with a great idea on how I can improve my presentations, versus perfect scores without any input. Good for you!

So simple, you can have all the talent in the world but if your attitude stinks your not going anywhere fast. You might be lucky and break through with your talent but your attitude will make you sink. Train hard = fight easy, Train easy = fight hard.

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[…] Don’t let it happen to you. Open your mind, limber up, and set out to win the productivity race. […]

[…] hard work is the way to go when talent is lacking. It seems like it’s the only way to go. Like this article says, talent gives an edge, but, and this quote I swear appears […]

[…] Stack, L. (2012). Hard Work vs. Talent: The Eternal Debate. Retrieved May 27, 2015 from https://theproductivitypro.com/blog/2012/08/hard-work-vs-talent-the-eternal-debate/ […]

[…] https://theproductivitypro.com/blog/2012/08/hard-work-vs-talent-the-eternal-debate/ […]

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Hard Work Doesn’t Always Lead to Success

  • Utkarsh Amitabh

hard work beats talent essay

You need to align your efforts with your goals.

If you feel that you’re putting in the hours and not achieving the desired results, increasing your efforts may not be the answer. When people fail, it’s not because of a lack of effort but because their effort was misdirected or misaligned with their interests. People who make informed and intelligent choices about the work they choose to focus on have been quicker to reach success. If you’re new to an organization and want to get ahead, or just entering the workforce and trying to figure out where to focus your efforts, use these insights to guide you.

  • Explore, then exploit. As an early-career professional, you may not always know where to direct your hard work. And that’s okay. Even if you’re employed, make sure you give yourself time and space to explore. Figuring out what you what excites you — as opposed to diving “all in” and burning out as soon as you land a job — will pay off in the long run.
  • Use the 80-20 rule. The Pareto principle suggests that 80% of consequences come from 20% of causes. Take a hard look at everything you do. Which tasks and projects have the biggest impact when it comes to getting closer to your goals? Start your day by working on those few vital few activities (your 20%). Once you’ve finished them, move on to tasks that you need to do in order to fulfill the work expectations set by your manager.
  • Prioritize systems over goals. Both successful and unsuccessful people have similar goals — both want to win. The difference comes from having systems in place that make your hard work matter. The best part about having good systems in place is that you can achieve your goals with relatively less effort, as they are likely to compound your output.

Hard work has been romanticized since corporations existed. In the business world, idioms about how sleep is for the weak or how no amount of talent can supersede hard work were doled out for decades. The underlying assumption was that if you worked hard enough for long enough, you would succeed. However, this advice misses one big point: Most people fail not because of a lack of effort but because their effort was misdirected or misaligned with their interests.

  • Utkarsh Amitabh  is the founder of  Network Capital,  one of the world’s largest career intelligence communities that serves as a partner to Government of India’s Atal Innovation Mission. Utkarsh graduated with an MBA from INSEAD Business School. He is a TED speaker, Chevening Fellow at University of Oxford and a World Economic Forum Global Shaper who represented the community at the Annual Meeting in Davos. He previously worked at  Microsoft and helped build India’s first smart village which was recognized in the Prime Minister’s Book of Pioneering Innovations. His new book  The Seductive Illusion of Hard Work   has gone on to become a global best-seller. He also writes for  Mint ,  Economic Times , and  World Economic Forum .

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The Role of Talent and Hard Work in Reaching Success

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Published: Jul 17, 2018

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Which is More Important: Hard Work or Talent?

Are you, like so many others, looking for the key to being successful? Many people ponder the contributions of natural talent vs hard work in this regard.

In truth, both talent and hard work are major contributing factors to the success of a person. Talent is the natural ability to perform exceptionally in a particular field, whereas hard work is what keeps personal and business growth alive and thriving.

Even if highly talented people have a head start, hard work is more important than talent. Why? Hardworking people would likely surpass naturally gifted individuals when it comes down to perseverance.

In this article, we’ll highlight some fundamental facts regarding talent and hard work so you can better understand what it takes to achieve greatness.

Which is More Important: Hard Work or Talent? Hard Work or Talent

Facts About Natural Talent and Hard Work

Innate talent is a gift for a particular skill.

Natural talents are innate gifts that can help a person achieve success in particular activities. For example, consider a person who wants to become a singer. In this instance, having an aptitude for singing would further their chances of realizing their dream.

In reality, however, many individuals with natural-born talents fail to execute them optimally.

In these cases, hardworking people, who don’t have the natural ability to execute an activity to the same extent, might be better able to deliver. In other words, hardworking individuals have a good chance at beating talented individuals at their own game simply through their continued efforts. This highlights the ongoing debate of talent or hard work.

It also goes without saying that hardworking individuals can develop their skills through determined practice. So, when a gifted person makes an effort to hone their natural skills, you almost certainly have a recipe for success.

Hard Work is a Form of Talent

Generally, people believe talent is more important than hard work for achieving success, but nobody becomes successful overnight. Hard work may be an underrated endeavor, but it is ultimately what gets a person across the finish line.

And having the determination to work hard in the face of difficulty is a form of natural talent.

In other words, working hard is not easy when one obstacle after another presents itself, but having the ability to persevere in spite of these can give you a significant advantage.

Which is More Important: Hard Work or Talent? Hard Work or Talent

Hard Work Can Develop Natural Talent

If you are a naturally talented person, but you don’t have the ability to sustain hard work, your talent may prove useless because it will not be used to its full potential. In other words, hard work in conjunction with natural abilities will yield much better results than innate talent on its own.

Thus, it can be argued that hard work is necessary for developing an individual’s talents, highlighting why hardwork is more important than talent. It can even be argued that, even if the individual has no innate talent to begin with, hard work is ultimately the factor that leads to success.

Hard Work Creates More Opportunities for Success

It can be said that talent is a matchstick while hard work fuels the fire. Put simply, your natural skills are vital for getting any project or activity off the ground and in the right direction, but hard work makes you much more likely to see things through and succeed.

In many cases, someone may not be considered naturally gifted in what they do. Yet, they achieve success to a greater extent than many talented individuals simply because they have the fuel to keep the fire burning.

Which is More Important: Hard Work or Talent? Hard Work or Talent

Talent is Wasted in the Absence of Hard Work

It may be considered ironic when talented individuals fail to achieve their goals even though they have all the natural skills they need to succeed at their disposal.

But the fact is, many gifted people misuse or neglect their gifts by not applying the effort needed to develop them and succeed.

How many business people, musicians, sportspersons, etc., have faded from the headlines simply because they were unwilling to work harder to develop their talents and use them to their advantage?

In light of this, it can be said that, in the absence of hard work, a talent may lose its edge over time and not be sufficient to keep up with a changing world.

Hard Work Develops New Talents

People often praise talent above labor, but then miss the point of what makes a successful person unique.

Hardworking people typically have the ability to develop new talents and skills due to their determination to reach their goals.

A developed talent can still be considered an innate gift because it is the result of a natural ability.

Both Talent and Hard Work Are Essential to Thrive

It cannot be said that hard work beats talent or the other way around. Both talent and hard work play pivotal roles in comprehensive and continuous development.

Working hard and utilizing natural talents are equally important to reach the top. Undermining either of the two means all of your efforts will be in vain.

Which is More Important: Hard Work or Talent? Hard Work or Talent

The Argument That Hard Work Beats Talent

Hard work is essentially the preparation and training that allows you to intensify and fine-tune your natural abilities.

Talent is the enigmatic factor that can be used to your advantage, but, on its own, is not sufficient to succeed.

Consider the story of the tortoise and the hare. The hare has the natural ability to win the race effortlessly, but its lack of perseverance causes it to lose.

Simple as this example may be, instances of this story’s message can be seen in virtually every area of life today, from the business world to the sports industry.

According to a study by Clemens Tesch-Romer, Ralf Th. Krampe and K. Anderson Ericsson, the efficiency of deliberate practice is indispensable.

This study definitively proved that meticulous work and deliberation are crucial to being successful in any undertaking.

Simply put, although talent increases the likelihood of succeeding, it is not worth much without a steadfast approach.

Which is More Important: Hard Work or Talent? Hard Work or Talent

To conclude this age-old “hard work vs talent” debate, it is clear that putting in the effort is essential to becoming an accomplished individual, and that talent alone is not enough to succeed.

In other words, it cannot be said that hard work is more important than talent or vice versa. No person should solely rely on their talents to get them where they aspire to be. Instead, continuous hard work and endurance is the key to pursuing any goal, be it personal, business, or sports-related.

Whether you are a talented individual or a hard worker, it’s important to be discovered by the right people. That’s where a headhunter can be incredibly valuable in connecting you with the right opportunities that match your skills and experience.

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Do you believe hard work is more important than talent for achieving success?

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Does Hard Work Really Beat Talent?

Without structure, it isn’t easy to achieve anything. Being successful requires discipline, not just luck.

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”

Or does it?

The most legendary athletes in American sports history are also some of the most tenacious, determined individuals we’ve ever witnessed.

Yes, there are several highly accomplished athletes with physical abilities the ordinary human being cannot fathom.

I mean, why else does social media call 26-year-old NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmp0 the “Greek Freak?”

Giannis dunked on the whole Raptors defense 😂 pic.twitter.com/RhLdB0ML4k — Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) January 2, 2018

If you watch him and feel discouraged, don’t be.

Many athletes, both in college and in professional leagues, have their careers because they grinded their way to the top.

Here are a few:

The seven-time Super Bowl champion has played in the NFL since 2000, despite being written off by many teams, scouts, and pundits when the New England Patriots selected him in the sixth round of the draft more than two decades ago.

Brady looked nothing like the more physically talented prospects entering the league at the time:

. @TomBrady 's infamous NFL combine picture celebrates 20 years this week 🤣 pic.twitter.com/DdXlozxyvR — ESPN (@espn) February 26, 2020

When you see this photo of arguably the greatest athlete of his generation, feel encouraged. And know that having an indomitable will and A+ work ethic does yield success, in some cases, more so than having sheer talent alone.

It’s frustrating when you’re always hustling, and one of your teammates is dogging it, yet they get the start while you sit on the bench. But if you were to stop working hard, you’d only disappoint and hurt yourself.

You’ve got to remember that you’re out there playing your sport to better yourself. You’re on the team because your coach saw something in you that added value to the team.

A big part of it could have been your dedicated work ethic.

And that work ethic is what fuels you every day to sharpen your abilities (talent). When talent diminishes at a certain point because of age, hard work doesn’t drop off unless you allow it to.

Talent needs hard work to sustain itself over time. College and professional coaches love the raw ability (potential) in a prospect. But they’ll quickly move on if the athlete doesn’t apply the discipline to draw the most out of their gifts.

Serena Williams

At 39-years-old, Williams is still playing professionally.

She’s won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most of any athlete in pro tennis of the Open Era.

Five to six years ago, Williams withdrew from multiple tournaments because of chronic knee and shoulder injuries. Her career looked finished.

But Williams showed the grit and resolve that carries any athlete a long way, winning the Australian Open in 2017 and breaking the record for all-time singles titles.

And she did it whilst pregnant.

Kobe Bryant

Matt Barnes, who played with Bryant on the Los Angeles Lakers for two years, shared a story on his podcast  All The Smoke  that when Barnes was in college at UCLA, he watched Bryant work out despite nursing a broken right hand at the time.

“I remember the one year he broke his right hand, so he was up at UCLA doing all left-handed workouts,” Barnes said. “That was the year he came back shooting left-handed all the time. He was doing his whole workout left-handed, and I’m like, ‘This dude is a monster.’”

Fans around the league thought Bryant looked like a transcendent player with his ability to be ambidextrous.

But Bryant developed such a skill by working extremely hard, according to Barnes.

So, does hard work really beat talent?

No, hard work should never beat talent because talent never stops working hard.

Talent isn’t enough anymore; it needs to be nurtured to take you where you want to go.

Nurturing means hard work.

Will talent hold you back from partying until two o’clock in the morning when you should be asleep to train hard the next day?

No, that’s discipline.

Is talent what’s keeping you after practice or games to put in extra time in the pool, weight room, or gym?

No, it’s work ethic.

How can you maximize talent with hard work?

So consider this:

  • Create a list of goals
  • Avoid distractions
  • Learn from mistakes
  • Don’t be afraid to fail
  • 5 Reasons Why Your Hard Work Isn’t Making You a Better Athlete
  • Your Talent Is Nowhere Near As Important As Your Character
  • 5 Things Athletes Need to Know About Talent

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THE REAL REASON HARD WORK IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS

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We all want to be successful in life, or at least most of us do. We want to achieve and grow and become better human beings. However, there is a requirement of success that can be summed up in two words… HARD WORK. That’s right, hard work and success go hand in hand. Why? Because…

“Hard Work Beats Talent When Talent Doesn’t Work Hard.” – Tim Notke –

Hard work and success are intertwined, and the only way to reap the latter is to do the former. The issue for many is that hard work is challenging, and it requires persistence and dedication.

To become successful though, we need to put in the hours and be willing to trust the process. There really is no way around this fact.

The good news for you, is that many people are not willing to work really hard. Convenience, ease, and stability is what most people default to. Especially when they don’t enjoy their jobs or when they feel like their careers or business ventures are stagnating.

Most people will eventually just stop caring and gradually only do what is absolutely necessary. No doubt this is a tragedy for those who would shirk off the value of hard work. But, it is an opportunity for you, and anyone else who is willing to do the work, the hard work.

It is true; hard work is not easy or comfortable; however, obtaining success without it is virtually impossible. With that said, if you want to learn exactly why hard work is the key to success, and a few things you can do to fully embrace hard work and make it work for you, then read on.

Why Hard Work Is The Key To Success

Why Hard Work Is The Key to Success

The thing with hard work and success is that both take a significant amount of time and effort. You have to spend a lot of time working hard for success to build up over time gradually. So you’ll have to decide if you’ll want to endure the pain of hard work and reap the rewards, or look back and regret never having tried? That said, here are some points to consider before you make your choice.

1. Everything Comes At A Price

Success, for the vast majority of people, does not come without a fee. That fee is hard work. People who have reached various levels of success in their lives understand that there is no return without dedication and sacrifice.

You have to wake up early and head to work even when you do not feel like it. You have to push past the obstacles and hold the goal in your mind, realizing that each step forward is one closer to achieving it.

Related: #1 Ingredient for Success

2. Hard Work Helps You Make Your Luck

If you are an average Joe and simply idle your way through life, you are likely just a spectator waiting for something to happen or fall into your lap. The truth of the matter is that the odds of this happening are improbable.

hard work beats talent essay

You need to have goals, dreams, and ambitions, and not only that, you need to have the drive to set them into motion. Success will not happen overnight, but with the right amount of persistence and hard work, the better one’s luck tends to be.

When opportunities come your way, do not let them pass you by; grab hold of them.

3. Hard Work Helps You Develop Values

When you adopt the mindset of a hard worker, other things begin to develop. You start to persevere where others would find it too difficult and quit. You begin to form an appreciation for what you have but will constantly be taking action to ensure better things materialize.

But most importantly, you stop blaming others for your circumstances and instead seek to find a way to overcome. Laziness becomes a thing of the past, and so does procrastination. You realize that time is of the essence, and these things were holding you back.

Additionally, you begin to have fewer insecurities, and the fear of failure dissipates.

4. Hard Work Fosters Discipline

It is not always going to be easy, and some days even the most driven people may be tempted to give up and throw in the towel, but that is where discipline comes into play. Discipline ensures that you still get up and face the day regardless of how big the challenge seems.

You always give your best, and you are determined to see the result.

As time passes, you’ll realize how much you have already invested in your dreams, and you’ll grow in confidence. You’ll realize that what you have given up to be where you are is not worth giving up on; you have come too far to give up any ground. 

5. You Reap What You Sow

If you invest money over time, eventually, it will begin to accumulate, and you will have an extensive portfolio. The same goes for hard work, as you reap what you sow .

hard work beats talent essay

As you exert energy each day and focus on your goals, you are consistently investing in your future success, and over time you will begin to see the progress you have made.

As you begin to see the strides you have made, it will compel you to push on and realize that you will ultimately reach the place you want to be if you continue on this trajectory. You will begin to feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in your work, and this will help encourage you to continue on.

Related: Work Hard and YOU WILL Succeed

Things To Focus On To Capitalize On Hard Work

how to work hard

Hard work will undoubtedly help you advance in life, and fending off things like laziness, excuses , and procrastination are key. However, there are other things that you need to be doing in conjunction with working hard to ensure that you truly reach your potential.

1. Work Smart

Many people out there slave away day and night, yet they still do not earn much or achieve the goals they have set for themselves. This is likely because they lack the knowledge and education to properly utilize their efforts to reach a better space.

If you are in a job you hope to grow in, you need to be constantly learning. So, work hard on the job, but also, be sure you are also working hard to learn more and find solutions that would give you an advantage in your pursuits.

Jim Rohn , the great business philosopher once said, “Learn to work harder on yourself than you do on your job. If you work hard on your job you can make a living, but if you work hard on yourself you’ll make a fortune.” His wisdom still rings true today.

2. Create Opportunities

Now many people are well educated and understand the ins and outs of what they do. However, they lack the opportunities to help propel them forward.

hard work beats talent essay

In this case, you need to work hard on networking and interpersonal skills to help sway people to want to give you opportunities.

Embracing the philosophy of hard work is more than just working hard physically, it is also about working hard to improve your soft skills and your ability to take action. Doing so will open up all sorts of opportunities for you.

So, work hard on the skills that would increase opportunities for you.

3. Plan To Succeed

For your hard work to pay off, you need to put plans in place to ensure that you will succeed. Gain as much knowledge as you can about your field, constantly seek new opportunities and partnerships, and then make plans on how you can use that knowledge to capitalize on those opportunities.

Hard work without planning won’t lead nowhere, you’ll make some progress. But, when you throw some good planning into the mix, you can dramatically reduce the timeframe and effort required to accomplish your goals .

4. Conquer Your Fears

Many challenges will come our way in our pursuits, and one of the bigger challenges that we must face is fear, especially fear of the future. Instead of pretending that it is not there, learn to overcome your aversions and realize that things like failure are merely a part of what will help you grow into a better version of yourself.

If you’re willing to work hard, but not willing to seize certain opportunities due to a lack of confidence or your fear of failure, then you’ll stifle your progress. So, work hard on becoming fearless, and you’ll make clearing the anxiety-inducing obstacles much more conquerable.

5. Learn To Believe In Yourself

One thing that often hinders people from working hard and succeeding is the curse of self-doubt. If you constantly believe that your efforts will be in vain, they will likely manifest in this way.

hard work beats talent essay

Similarly, if you doubt your efforts will get you anywhere, you’ll be less likely to do your best work. And if you doubt that you deserve the fruits of your labor because of a lack of belief in yourself , you’ll handicap your efforts.

Instead, know your strengths and improve on your weaknesses so that you can foster confidence in yourself and your work. The more confident and self-assured you become, the harder you’ll work.

Related: How to Develop a Good Work Ethic

Whether we like it or not, we all need to work in life to earn our keep, but for some, they’ll go above and beyond this, and they’ll push further than others to ultimately achieve success. Yes, work is not always pleasant, but it is how we get to where we want to be, regardless of what field we are in.

So remember, hard work is the key to success. The harder you work on your job, business, or creative pursuits, and the more willing you are to take on new challenges and work hard to learn new things, the more likely you’ll grow to reap the massive opportunities that are bound to come your way.

Hard Work Leads to Success

You won’t regret how hard you worked once you’ve achieved the success you were after. But, if you sit back, take it easy, and watch life pass you by, you most certainly will. So aim high and work your tail off, because success is achieved through hard work.

Until you reach your aims,

PS – If you enjoyed this resource related to hard work and success, then you might find some further encouragement in these inspiring hard work quotes .

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55+ INSPIRING POST MALONE QUOTES ON SUCCESS AND BEING TRUE TO YOURSELF

50 BEST QUOTES TO HELP YOU OVERCOME THE FEAR OF FAILURE

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hard work beats talent essay

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Top 30 go the extra mile quotes for success.

go the extra mile quotes

Going the extra mile is one of the easiest ways to stand out and excel in just about any endeavor. It’s common knowledge, that doing so can and will help you in our life. Yet, so few people do it. So, to help serve as reminder, and motivate more people to go above and beyond in all areas of their life, we’ve pulled together these highly motivating Go The Extra Mile quotes.

We hope this collection of quotes reinvigorates your desire to win, to do what is necessary to stand out from the crowd, and pull away from your competition. So, if you’re ready to get fired up, let’s dive into these quotes about going the extra mile.

BEST QUOTES ABOUT GOING THE EXTRA MILE

hard work beats talent essay

1. “Go the extra mile it’s never crowded.” – Dr. Wayne Dyer

2. “Those who are willing to go the extra mile are the ones who exhibit a spirit of excellence , which leads to success in all aspects of business and life.” – David Meltzer

3. “What is the distance between someone who achieves their goals consistently and those who spend their lives merely following? The extra mile.” – Gary Ryan Blair

4. “People of excellence go the extra mile to do what’s right.” – Joel Olsteen

5. “Start going the extra mile and opportunity will follow you.” – Napoleon Hill

hard work beats talent essay

6. “Everybody is standing, but you must stand out. Everybody is breaking grounds; but you must breakthrough! Everybody scratching it; but you must scratch it hard! Everybody is going, but you must keep going extra miles! Dare to be exceptionally excellent and why not?” – Israelmore Ayivor

7. “If there is one overwhelming reason to go the extra mile, it is to make sure that you feel better about yourself.” – Mark McCormack

8. “Put going the extra mile to work as part of one’s daily habit.” – Bruce Lee

9. “One of the most important principles of success is developing the habit of going the extra mile.” – Napoleon Hill

10. “There are no traffic jams on the extra mile.” – Zig Ziglar

hard work beats talent essay

11. “I write about nerds who go the extra mile and become rock stars.” – Ben Mezrich

12. “Four short words sum up what has lifted most successful individuals above the crowd: a little bit more. They did all that was expected of them and a little bit more.” – Lou Vickery

13. “That “ do it now ” attitude exemplifies the extra mile.” – David Meltzer

14. “Success is almost totally dependent upon drive and persistence. The extra energy required to make another effort or try another approach is the secret of winning.” – Denis Waitley

15. “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” – Les Brown

hard work beats talent essay

16. “Average brands deliver exactly what is asked of them. Exceptional brands deliver more. Finding novel and surprising ways to go the extra mile turns sceptics into fanatics and passive bystanders into loyal customers who tell their friends.” – Jodie Cook

17. “Constantly think about how you could be doing things better and questioning yourself.” – Elon Musk

18. “It’s so easy to be great nowadays my friend because most people are weak, most people don’t want to go that extra mile.” – David Goggins

19. “There’s very few people who go the extra mile — so go the extra mile and give it all you’ve got.” – Jim Leishman

20. “Always deliver more than expected.” – Larry Page

going the extra mile quote

21. “Love is about going the extra mile even if it hurts.” – Jennifer Flackett

22. “Doing your best in this moment, puts you in the best place for the next moment.” – Oprah Winfrey

23. “Today, do just a little bit more. Turn going the extra mile into a habit – it is what lifts most successful people above the crowd.” – Bob Proctor

24. “Excellence is going the extra mile.” – Joyce Meyer

25. “Go the extra mile, there’s no one on it.” – Grant Cardone

hard work beats talent essay

26. “Going far beyond that call of duty, doing more than others expect, is what excellence is all about! And it comes from striving, maintaining the highest standards, looking after the smallest detail, and going the extra mile. Excellence means doing your very best. In everything! In every way.” – Jack Johnson

27. “If I could shout only one message to the whole world regarding life’s secrets, it would be this: That you cannot get something for nothing, but that you can have the best of everything when you give full measure for the good you wish to receive.” – Catherine Ponder

28. “Always be willing to go the extra mile, to do more than is expected of you. There are never any traffic jams on the extra mile.” – Brian Tracy

29. “A great life is the biproduct of going the extra mile to create great moments, great days, great months, and lastly, great years.” – The STRIVE

30. “Never settle for ‘just getting the job done. Excel!” – Tom Hopkins

hard work beats talent essay

Bonus Going The Extra Mile Quote

Bonus: Alright, here is one of our favorite quotes about going the extra mile. We added it as bonus, because we stand behind it, and believe it to be 100% true.

“If You Truly Want To Succeed, Be Prepared To Go The Extra Mile.” – napoleon hill –

Final Thoughts

There you have it, some of the best Go The Extra Mile quotes ever uttered. We hope they rekindle that inner fire that’ll help you push yourself to do more than what’s expected of you. In short, we hope they motivate you to go the extra mile!

That said, please share this page if you enjoyed it. And come back again when you’re in need of the best motivational quotes for succeeding in life.

Till you reach your aims,

PS – If you liked these Go The Extra Mile quotes then you’ll love these quotes extra effort quotes as well as these strive quotes .

Determination Quotes

Determination is a prerequisite of success. In a world full of distractions, doubters, and ceaseless obstacles, it is those who have a resolute and determined purpose, that find a way to achieve their aims.

It doesn’t matter if you’re aiming to lose weight, land that dream job, find true love, or build a fortune, determination will be needed. So, to help inspire the successful attainment of your big goals and inspiring dreams, we’re publishing this collection of inspirational determination quotes.

Our hope is they’ll inspire you to keep pushing forward when times get tough (as they eventually will) and find the determination you’ll need to stay the course till you arrive at your destination. So, if you’re ready for the best determination quotes to inspire you to success , let’s dive in:

DETERMINATION QUOTES FOR SUCCESS

Best Determination Quotes For Success

1. “Victory is always possible for the person who refuses to stop fighting.” – Napoleon Hill

2. “A difficult time can be more readily endured if we retain the conviction that our existence holds a purpose – a cause to pursue, a person to love, a goal to achieve.” – John Maxwell

3. “If we attack our problems with determination we shall succeed.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

4. “Faith will get you to a point. Luck will get you to a point. But to achieve the kind of success you dream about, you need to work. There are no shortcuts, you can’t cheat life, just get to work and don’t stop until you reach your highest potential.” – Denzel Washington

5. “Be like a postage stamp. Stick to it until you get there.” – Bob Proctor

6. “Winners are ordinary people with an extraordinary determination.” – Anonymous

7. “A failure establishes only this, that our determination to succeed was not strong enough.” – John C. Bovee

8. “I determined never to stop until I had come to the end and achieved my purpose.” – David Livingstone

9. “Nothing can withstand the power of the human will if it is willing to stake its very existence to the extent of its purpose.” – Benjamin Disraeli

10. “Never consider the the possibility of failure; as long as you persist, you will be successful.” – Brian Tracy

determination quote by brian tracy

11. “Drive, determination, passion, and hard work are all free and are more valuable than a pot of cash.” – Richard Branson

12. “Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.” – Og Mandino

13. “The most essential factor is persistence — the determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come.” – James Whitcomb Riley

14. “Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” – Calvin Coolidge

15. “No matter what’s happening right now, it’s setting you up for next level growth. Keep breathing. Keep going.” – Marie Forleo

16. “Luck is when determination meets opportunity.” – Richard Branson

17. “With strength and determination you can do anything you want in life, as long as you believe in yourself, because if you don’t, no one else will.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger

18. “It’s the size of one’s will that determines success.” – Anonymous

19. “The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination.” – Tommy Lasorda

20. “I believe success is achieved by ordinary people with extraordinary determination.” – Zig Ziglar

hard work beats talent essay

21. “We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history.” – Sonia Johnson

22. “A dream doesn’t become a reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.” – Colin Powell

23. “It pays to be smart, but it pays more to be determined, disciplined, dependable, and driven.” – Adam Grant

24. “Do not underestimate the determination of a quiet man.” – Ian Duncan Smith

25. “You’ve got to get up every morning with determination if you’re going to go to bed with satisfaction.” – George Lorimer

26. “It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.” – Confucius

27. “If you have discipline, drive, and determination… nothing is impossible.” – Dana Linn Bailey

28. “Determination, with an optimistic attitude is the key to success .” – Dalai Lama

29. “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

30. “The determination to win is the better part of winning.” – Daisaku Ikeda

hard work beats talent essay

31. “The most essential factor is persistence — the determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come.” – James Whitcomb Riley

32. “Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence – that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” – Mario Andretti

33. “An invincible determination can accomplish almost anything and in this lies the great distinction between great men and little men.” – Thomas Fuller

34. “Victory is the child of preparation and determination.” – Sean Hampton

35. “Every champion was once a contender who refused to give up.” – Rocky Balboa

36. “Determination is the wake-up call to the human will.” – Tony Robbins

37. “All depends on how determined we are to be successful.” – Robert Kiyosaki

38. “Nothing great will ever be achieved without great mean, and men are great only if they are determined to be so.” – Charles De Gaulle

39. “Life is not only merriment, it is desire and determination.” – Kahlil Gibran

40. “Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way.” – Abraham Lincoln

determination quotes about finding the way

41. “The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win.” – Roger Bannister

42. “Some succeed because they are destined to, but most succeed because they are determined to.” – Henry Van Dyke

43. “The difference between men is in energy, in the strong will, in the settled purpose and in the invincible determination.” – Vince Lombardi

44. “We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication,  self-discipline , and effort.” – Jesse Owens

45. “Construct your determination with Sustained Effort, Controlled Attention, and Concentrated Energy.  Opportunities never come to those who wait… they are captured by those who dare to attack.” – Paul J. Meyer

46. “Working hard, being patient and being full of determination is perhaps the most fulfilling way of becoming rich.” – Robert Gardner

47. “Let us not be content to wait and see what will happen, but give us the determination to make the right things happen.” – Horace Mann

48. “Most people fail because they do not have determination and perseverance. Extraordinary people are determined and persevere, that is what makes them extraordinary.” – Catherine Pulsifer

49. “Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

50. “The power of determination will make you unstoppable.” – Jean Charest

hard work beats talent essay

51. “If you can’t fly then run. If you can’t run then walk. If you can’t walk then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

52. “If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you’re right.” – Henry Ford

53. “It is your determination and persistence that will make you a successful person.” – Kenneth J. Hutchins

54. “Never go backward. Attempt, and do it with all your might. Determination is power.” – Charles Simmons

55. “One of the most common causes of failure is the habit of quitting when one is overtaken by temporary defeat.” – Napoleon Hill

56. “We will find a way or make one.” – Hannibal

57. “There’s only one way to succeed in anything, and that’s to give it everything.” – Vince Lombardi

58. “Take passion and determination anywhere you go and we promise you, you’ll go far.” – Dorothea Jackson

59. “What does it take to be a champion? Desire, dedication, determination, concentration, and the will to win.” – Patty Berg

60. “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” – Abraham Lincoln

hard work beats talent essay

61. “Everything is going to be fine in the end. If it’s not fine, it’s not the end.” – Oscar Wilde

62. “If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.” – Zig Ziglar

63. “It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.” – Leonardo da Vinci

64. “Faith can move mountains but determination can help you build new ones.” – Nikita Dudani

65. “Motivation can be found in many different ways, if you can focus on your determination to overcome the odds, rather than how easy it is to quit.” – Dr. Phillip Terrance

66. “Determination is our light against the darkness of temporary setbacks, allowing us to push for victory no matter the obstacles.” – Dr. Moses Simuyemba

67. “If you are going through hell, keep going.” – Winston Churchill

68. “I have discovered in life that there are ways of getting almost anywhere you want to go, if you really want to go.” – Langston Hughes

69. “You may be the only person left who believes in you, but it’s enough. It takes just  one star  to pierce a universe of darkness. Never give up.” – Richelle E. Goodrich

70. “A resolute determination is the truest wisdom.” – Napoleon Bonaparte

napoleon bonaparte's quote about determination

71. “In case of doubt, push on just a little further and then keep on pushing.” –  General George S Patton, Jr.

72. “If your determination is fixed, I do not counsel you to despair.  Few things are impossible to diligence and skill.  Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance .” – Samuel Johnson

73. “The only good luck many great men ever had was being born with the ability and determination to overcome bad luck.” – Channing Pollock

74. “What really distinguishes this generation in all countries from earlier generations … is its determination to act, its joy in action, the assurance of being able to change things by one’s own efforts.” – Hannah Arendt

75. “It doesn’t matter how many times you fail. You only have to be right once and then everyone can tell you that you are an overnight success .” – Mark Cuban

76. “The determined have the ability to keep going and not give up… even when facing obstacles.” – The STRIVE

77. “The path to success, is to take massive determined action.” – Tony Robbins

Bonus Quote on Determination

Bonus: Here’s one last quote about determination that we’ve decided to list as our bonus. It’s sums up best the essence of determination. Enjoy.

“If You Really Want To Do Something, You’ll Find A Way. If You Don’t, You’ll Find An Excuse.” – Jim Rohn –

There you have it, the best of the best determination quotes for success. We hope you enjoyed the collection and found inspiration and encouragement in each quote.

And if liked them, then you’ll also enjoy these determination related quotes as well:

Grit Quotes | Perseverance Quotes | Persistence Quotes

With that said, please share the page, or any of one of these determination quotes with someone who needs a little push to keep moving forward on their dreams, or anyone whom might appreciate a bit of motivation.

Keep reaching for the stars….

Till you reach them,

Inspiration

american dream quotes

The  American Dream  is the national ethos of the United States. It’s the idea, that every person has the freedom and opportunity to succeed and attain a better life for themselves and their families. The American Dream is not something that can just be handed out, because it’s a not a guarantee, it’s only a promise. The American Dream is a promise that you’ll have the opportunity to create a better and more prosperous life for yourself, and if you seize that opportunity, with grit, high effort, and focused determination, you can achieve the dream.

So, to help safe guard that idea and ethos that has fueled economic engine of the U.S.A since 1931, we’re publishing this handful of American Dream quotes. Our hope, is that they continue to give hope and inspiration to the millions of Americans who still value and cherish the idea that we all have an inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

TOP 25 AMERICAN DREAM QUOTES

1. “The American Dream reminds us that every man is heir to the legacy of worthiness.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

2. “The American Dream of rags to riches is a dream for a reason – it is hard to achieve; were everyone to do it, it wouldn’t be a dream but would rather be a reality.” – Robert Fulton

3. “The American Dream is about freedom.” – Rick Mears

4. “The American Dream is not that every man must be level with every other man. The American dream is that every man must be free to become whatever God intends he should become.” – Ronald Reagan

5. “The American Dream is the largely unacknowledged screen in front of which all American writing plays out.” – Arthur Miller

6. “The road to success is not easy to navigate, but with hard work, drive and passion, it’s possible to achieve the American dream.” – Tommy Hilfiger

7. “Beware of the trap of instant gratification. Nothing that’s truly worthwhile can be had “now”. The “The American Dream” is not given, its EARNED.” –  Andy Frisella

8. “Anything that comes along that can inhibit your freedom, is by definition, anti-American.” – Joe Rogan

9. “If you work hard enough and assert yourself, and use your mind and imagination, you can shape the world to your desires.” – Malcolm Gladwell

10. “There’s a lot of blood, sweat, and guts between dreams and success.” – Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant

11. “The American dream does not come to those who fall asleep.” – Gerald R. Ford

12. “Cherish your visions; cherish your ideals; cherish the music that stirs in your heart.” – James Allen

13. “It was desire that brought progress to the world.”  – Claude M. Bristol

14. “That some achieve great success is proof to all the others can achieve it as well.” – Abraham Lincoln

15. “Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.” – Napoleon Hill

16. “If you can walk, talk, hear or see, you have everything it takes to do something big with your life.” – Patrick Bet-David

17. “Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that.” – Norman Vincent Peale

18. “Dreams don’t work unless you do.” – John C. Maxwell

19. “What you believe you can achieve.” – Mary Kay Ash

20. “One has to remember that every failure can be a stepping stone to something better.” – Colonel Sanders

21. “I have spent my life judging the distance between American reality and the American Dream.” – Bruce Springsteen

22. “Failure is not the outcome. Failure is not trying.” – Sarah Blakely

23. “You will do more good for the rest of the human race enthusiastically going full bore after the things you want, than in any other way, because the only way you can get the things you want is by providing service to others — and the more intense and enthusiastic you are about it, the better will be your service. It’s the way the free-market private enterprise American system works.” – Earl Nightingale

24. “America is unique because it offers you an economic ladder to climb. And here’s what’s exciting: it’s the bottom of the ladder that’s crowded, not the top.” – Jim Rohn

25. “I stayed true to my dreams, and eventually they cam true.” – Kevin Hart

Bonus American Dream Quote

Bonus: Alright, here is one of our favorite quotes about what it takes to achieve the American Dream. We added it as bonus, because we stand behind it, and believe it to be 100% true.

“Your Dreams Are On The Other Side Of Your Grit.”

Great job making it to the end of these American Dream quotes! Feel free to check our other inspiring quotes and resources to inspire you to keep pursuing you dreams.

Till you reach your dream,

comeback quotes

Everyone appreciates a great comeback story. It doesn’t matter if its about a person who after hitting rock-bottom turns their whole life around, or someone who against all odds achieves their dreams. Rooting for the underdog is baked into our DNA.

“It’s Not Over Till It’s Over.”

With that said, we understand that if you’re reading this page right now, there’s a good chance that you may be experiencing your own challenges right now. You may feel like you’re up against the ropes, or like you can’t turn things around in your life. If that is you, just remember, it isn’t over till it’s over… and you can mount a comeback.

We’ve got your back, and we are rooting for you. Which is why we’ve pulled together some of the most powerful and motivating comeback quotes. Our hope is that these quotes remind you to keep fighting, to stay hopeful, and if you’ve fallen, to get back up. May these quotes inspire you to make your comeback .

BEST COMEBACK QUOTES TO OVERCOME SETBACKS

hard work beats talent essay

1. “The real glory is being knocked to your knees and then coming back. That’s real glory. That’s the essence of it.” – Vince Lombardi

2. “The moment you give up is the moment you let someone else win.” – Kobe Bryant

3. “If I can comeback from where I come from, then you can do it too.” – Tyson Fury

4. “Nothing is cooler and more attractive than a big comeback, and that’ll be me.” – Steven Adler

5. “The comeback is always stronger than the setback.” – Anonymous

6. “What defines us is how well we rise after falling.” – Lionel Block

7. “Celebrate small victories. Although they may not yet count as your big comeback, these will help re-establish your self-esteem and empower you to take on the challenges that lie ahead.” – Salma El-Shurafa  

8. “Great people make failure the cornerstone of their success.” – Anonymous

9. “You don’t lose if you get knocked down; you lose if you stay down.” – Muhammad Ali

10. “A setback is a setup for a comeback.” – Les Brown

Comeback Quote About Setbacks

11. “Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” – J.K. Rowling

12. “Anytime you suffer a setback or disappointment, put your head down and plow ahead.” – Les Brown

13. “It’s not over till you WIN!” – Les Brown

14. “I am making the comeback of the century.” – Bob Backlund

15. “A setback only paves the way for a comeback.” – Evander Holyfield

16. “I wanted to show the world that it can be done. Anything is possible with the right mindset. If you believe in yourself and you sacrifice and dedicate, with the right help you can come back.” – Tyson Fury

17. “Failure is not the end. Failure is the the start of your comeback story.” – Anonymous

18. “I’m always making a comeback but nobody ever tells me where I’ve been.” – Billie Holiday

19. “When life knocks you down, get back up, and whatever you do, don’t stop swinging!” – The STRIVE

20. “It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” – Babe Ruth

babe ruth quote to help you make a comeback

21. “I just showed the world tonight, everyone suffering from mental health. You can comeback, it can be done.” – Tyson Fury

22. “To anyone who is struggling early in the morning or late at night in pursuit of your dream, struggles that many will never see, and to any leaders out there, who believe in someone who does not yet believe in themselves, keep going. Keep going, because WILL always finds a WAY.” – Tom Brady

23. “A great champion deals with setback with a comeback.” – Donna de Varona

24. “Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later.” – Og Mandino

25. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

26. “Success is how high you bounce after you hit bottom.” – General George Patton

27. “Failure is often a prerequisite for your success; not a life sentence.” – Anonymous

28. “Setbacks are part and parcel of life. But, if you can see each set back as but another opportunity to spring you further ahead of where you were before your set back, you’ll become unstoppable.” – The STRIVE

29. “Today’s struggle is tomorrow’s strength, and today’s failure is tomorrow’s reward.” – Comeback Quote

30. “The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is going to hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done.” – Rocky

Motivational Rocky Comeback Quote

31. “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over again in my life.” And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan

32. “The true measure of success is how many times you can bounce back from failure.” – Stephen Richards

33. “The secret to mounting a successful comeback is to never stop believing.” – Nathan Lee Morales

34. “Life’s battles don’t always go to the stronger or faster man. But soon or late the one who wins, Is the one who thinks he can!” – Walter D. Wintle

35. “A champion is defined by the adversity he overcomes.” – Anderson Silva

36. “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” – Maya Angelou

37. “Champions keep playing until they get it right.” – Billie Jean King

Halfway There

You’re more than halfway done, great job! With that said, we hope these comeback quotes are reigniting the fighting spirit within, so you can overcome whatever challenges you may be facing in life.

If you’re not feeling fired up to make your comeback yet, well then, by all means, please keep hammering away at these comeback quotes. The best is yet to come!

38. “The human spirit is never finished when it is defeated…it is finished when it surrenders.” – Ben Stein

39. “All good ideas start out as bad ideas, that’s why it takes so long.” – Steven Spielberg

40. “Sometimes it takes a thousand tries to win.” – Rihanna

Rihanna Comeback Quote

41. “There’s nothing as exciting as a comeback – seeing someone with dreams, watching them fail, and then getting a second chance.” – Rachel Griffiths

42. “It’s never too late to make a comeback.” – Christina Katz

43. “You can’t master your future if you’re still a slave to your past.” – Rihanna

44. “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” – George Eliot

45. “My comeback was not about winning or losing; it was about the feeling of being able to compete at top level again.” – Thomas Muster

46. “The biggest comeback is making yourself happy again.” – Anonymous

47. “I don’t know if God is a sports fan or not, but I do know this: He loves a good comeback.” – Lane Kiffin

48. “I just think, as a people in general, we should always look at ourselves as the underdog, so we should always go harder than the next person.” – Shaggy

49. “Energy and persistence conquer all things.” – Benjamin Franklin “

50. “Sometimes, a winner is a dreamer who just won’t quit.” – Rudy

Rudy comeback quote

51. “But ultimately what matters most is resilience–the ability to quickly rebound from failures, indeed to see failure as a stepping stone to success.” –  Arianna Huffington 

52. “A comeback is a setback that did its homework, learned the lesson, and then moved forward.” –  Eleanor Brownn

53. “When you’re crying, your tears may be watering the seeds of your come-back.” – Steve Maraboli

54. “Live the Life of Your Dreams. When you start living the life of your dreams, there will always be obstacles, doubters, mistakes and setbacks along the way. But with hard work, perseverance and self-belief there is no limit to what you can achieve.” – Roy T. Bennett

55. “When we give ourselves permission to fail, we, at the same time, give ourselves permission to excel.” –  Eloise Ristad

56. “Brick walls are not there to keep us out, they are there to show us how much we want something.” – Randy Pausch

57. “I was the undersized underdog who people never gave a chance. From that, the motivation to prove people wrong just grew and grew.” –  Baker Mayfield

58. “We develop our character muscles by overcoming challenges and obstacles.” – Stephen Covey

59. “It’s possible that you can bounce back from adversity and reinvent your life.” – Atlas Rowe

60. “You must fail a hundred times to succeed once.” – Sylvester Stallone

comeback stronger quotes - Stallone

61. “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” – Thomas Edison

62. “If you think you are beaten, you are. If you think you dare not, you don’t. If you like to win, but you think you can’t, It is almost certain you won’t.” – Walter D. Wintle

63. “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela

64. “Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I’ll show you someone who has overcome adversity.” – Lou Holtz

65. “The belief that I could still do it, inspired me to work harder.” – Phil Mickelson

66. “I had to develop the mentality and stay positive about making my comeback.” – Alonzo Mourning

67. “So don’t give up , don’t look down, cause your time is gonna come around.” – Kevin Rudolpf

68. “Your “I CAN” is more important than your IQ.” – Robin Sharma

69. “You can make a comeback, but ONLY if believe you can.” – Nathan Lee Morales

70. “The secret to life is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.” – Paulo Coelho

hard work beats talent essay

71. “In business, setbacks are a part of the game. Whether it’s small losses (losing a deal to a competitor), or big ones (the inability to break even); failure is normal. But, so is dusting yourself off and bouncing back when those setbacks come your way. In fact, your success as an entrepreneur is directly related to how well you bounce back from failure.” – Emily Andrews

72. “It’s not whether you get knocked down, its whether you get back up.” – Vince Lombardi

73. “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” – Dale Carnegie

74. “I think it’s more than whether or not you win or lose. It’s having that opportunity on that final round, final nine, to come down the stretch with a chance to win.” – Phil Mickelson

75. “You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice a work hard for it.” – Lionel Messi

76. “Start today creating a vision for yourself, your life, and your career. Bounce back from adversity and create what you want, rebuild and rebrand.” – Germany Kent

77. “Yesterday I dared to struggle, today I dare to win.” – Bernadette Devlin

78. “Unlike an external enemy, the inner enemy cannot regroup and launch a comeback once it has been destroyed from within.” – Dalai Lama

79. “Remember that just because you hit bottom doesn’t mean you have to stay there.” – Robert Downey Jr.

80. “I stayed true to my dreams, and eventually they came true.” – Kevin Hart

Kevin Hart Comeback Quote

81. “We can stay here and get the shit kicked out of us, or we can fight our way back into the light.” – Coach Tony D’Amato, Any Given Sunday

82. “Setbacks have an upside; they fuel new dreams.” – Dara Torres

83. “In every adversity lies the seed of an equal or greater opportunity.” – Napoleon Hill

84. “Every setback has a major comeback.” – Russell Wilson

85. “I’ve learned that something constructive comes from every defeat.” – Tom Landry

86. “Losers quit when they fail. Winners fail until they succeed.” – Robert Kiyosaki

87. “I’ve always made some legendary comebacks since 1998 when it first started. So that’s kind of just been my MO for my whole career.” – Serena Williams

88. “Everyone falls down. Getting back up is how you learn how to walk.” – Walt Disney

89. “I never view mistakes as failures. They are simply opportunities to find out what doesn’t work.” – Thomas Edison

90. “One has to remember that every failure can be a stepping stone to something better.” – Colonel Sanders

hard work beats talent essay

91. “If you can look up, then you can get up.” – Les Brown

92. “There are better starters than me but I’m a strong finisher.” – Usain Bolt

93 . “It’s not how far you fall, but how high you bounce that counts.” – Zig Ziglar

94. “Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly.” – John F. Kennedy

96 . “The most successful people see adversity not as a stumbling block, but as a stepping stone to greatness.” – Shawn Anchor

96. “If I fail, I try again, and again, and again. If you fail, are you going to try again? The human spirit can handle much worse than we realize. It matters How you are going to finish.” – Nick Vujicic

97. “In the depth of Winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” – Albert Camus

98. “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein

99. “Adversity cause some men to break; others to break records.”

100. “You can’t make a comeback if you don’t get back up.” – Atlas Rowe

hard work beats talent essay

101. “Falling down is part of life. Getting back up is living.” – Anonymous

102. “One’s best success comes after their greatest disappointments.” – Henry Ward Beecher

103. “From success, you learn absolutely nothing. From failure and setbacks, conclusions can be drawn. That goes for your private life as well as your career.” – Niki Lauda

104.   “We all get distracted, the question is, would you bounce back or bounce backwards?” – Kendrick Lamar

105. “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” – C.S. Lewis

106. “The best story is a comeback story.” – Nathan Lee Morales

107. “It’s only after we’ve lost everything that we’re free to do anything.” – Chuck Palahniuk

108. “Nothing is cooler and more attractive than a big comeback, and that’ll be me.” – Steven Ader

109. “Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.” – Henry Ford

110. “Once you’ve hit rock bottom the only way is up.” – Anonymous

hard work beats talent essay

111. “Quite or make a comeback. The choice is yours.” – Anonymous

112. “You can’t lose confidence in yourself, or you’ve lost already. When you get knocked down, you’ve got to keep getting back up.” – Tim Tebow

113. “It is in the valley of failure that we sow our seeds of success.” – James Altucher

114. “In show business, everyone loves a comeback story.” – Chris Connelly

115. “You’re gonna have to go through hell. Worse than any nightmare that you’ve ever dreamed. But in the end, you know you’ll be the one standing. You know what you’ve gotta go. Do it. Do it!” – Apollo Creed

Bonus Comeback Quote

Bonus: Out of all our comeback quotes this one is a bonus as it comes from someone who knows a thing or two about making a comeback. Once ridiculed by his class and his teacher after telling them about his dream to be on the Television someday, to then eventually having to live out of his car, homeless, for three whole years while he struggled to reach his dream, Steve Harvey knows what it means to make a comeback.

“Your Setback Is Just A Setup For Your Comeback.” – steve harvey –

Alright, there you have it, the best of the best when it comes to comeback quotes. We hope you got what you came for… massive amounts of encouragement to help you keep your eye on the prize, a reminder to never surrender, and new inspiration to aid you in mounting your own personal comeback.

Your victory is just around the corner!

PS – If you enjoyed these comeback quotes, then you may enjoy one of these extremely inspiring comeback stories:

  • Tyson Fury Comeback Story
  • Sylvester Stallone Comeback Story
  • Rudy Comeback Story
  • Grant Cardone Comeback Story

THURSDAY WORK MOTIVATION TO HELP YOU FINISH THE WEEK STRONG

You Vs. Thursday Motivation

Everyone knows Monday is one of the most challenging days of the week to get motivated. But Thursday’s can be just as menacing. Thursday’s are menacing because the motivation (or lack thereof) that we feel on this day can catch us off guard. If you woke up this morning and thought to yourself, “I can’t believe it’s not Friday yet?” or “Dang, it’s barely Thursday?”, then you’ve got a Thursday motivation problem.

The good news is, you’re not alone. Everyone experiences low motivation from time to time, especially on Thursdays. And the even better news is, we’ve pulled together a few quotes and handful of related resources to help you find some of that elusive Thursday work motivation.

With that said, if you’re looking for that second-wind that we could all use on Thursday to finish the week strong, let’s dive in:

Best Quotes for Thursday Work Motivation

Best Thursday Work Motivation Quotes

1.  “Energy and persistence conquer all things.” – Benjamin Franklin

2. “On Thursday, no matter how difficult and distracting life is, our job is to focus, to work through it, to keep our eyes and our efforts where they belong.” – Rick Pitino

3. “The best way out is always through.” – Robert Frost

4. “On this Thursday take nothing for granted. Look around and show gratitude for your work, your family, and your friends.” –  Theodore W. Higginsworth

5. “Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work, one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. You have to win it.“ – Ralph Waldo Emerson

6. “Thursday is one day closer to my expectation that everything I have done through the week culminates in progress.” – Byron Pulsifer

7. “Everything is either an opportunity to learn and grow or an obstacle that keeps you stuck…you get to choose.” – Thursday Thoughts

8. “Don’t stay in bed unless you can make money in bed.” – George Burns

9. “If you keep doing what you been doing, you’ll keep getting, what you been getting.” – Steve Harvey

10. “Great things never come from comfort zones.” – Anonymous

11. “Your competition is hoping you’ll take it easy today, don’t.” – The Strive

12. “Yesterday’s home runs don’t win today’s games.” – Babe Ruth

13. “Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work with excellence .” – Quote for Thursday

14. “Let this Thursday be filled with possibilities – be aware of the opportunities around you; don’t just go through the day, live the day with your eyes and your mind open.” – Anonymous

15. “Hard work doesn’t guarantee success, but improves its chances.” – B.J. Gupta

More Thursday Motivation For Work

You’re halfway through our Thursday work motivation resource. Great job! We sincerely hope these curated quotes are motivating you.

But don’t stop now, as there are still a handful of other resources that could help you find the energy to make this Thursday one to remember.

Related: Ways to Find Motivation For Work

16. “Happy Thursday! P.S. It’s almost Friday.” – Thursday Saying

17. “The only difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude!” – Anonymous

18. “You can’t have a million-dollar dream with a minimum-wage work ethic.”  –  Stephen C. Hogan

19. “If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.” – Steve Jobs

25. “Action will destroy your procrastination.” – Og Mandino

21. “Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

22. “ Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.” – Bill Bradley

23. “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” – Robert Louis

24. “The harder you work for something, the greater you’ll feel when you achieve it.” – Anonymous

25. “Either you run the day, or the day runs you.” – Jim Rohn

26. “We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.” – Maya Angelou

27. “Nothing screws up your Friday like realizing it’s only Thursday.” – Anonymous

28. “I see a light at the end of the tunnel… hopefully its not a freight train!” – Mariah Carey

29. “Start your Thursday with an attitude of optimism. It’s going to be a good day!” – Kate Summers

30.  “Stay positive, work hard, make it happen.” – Thursday Quote

31. “Remember no matter how fast you run, you can’t be the winner if you don’t finish.” – Israelmore Ayivor

32. “The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of tiny pushes of each honest worker.” – Helen Keller

33. “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is just that little extra.” – Jimmy Johnson

34. “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – Teddy Roosevelt

35. “Never be satisfied with less than your very best effort . If you strive for the top and miss, you’ll still ‘beat the pack.” – Gerald R. Ford

36. “The best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work today.” – Elbert Hubbard

37. “I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have. ”  –   Thomas Jefferson

38. “You are what you do, not what you say you do.”  –  Carl Jung

39. “The extra energy required to make another effort… is the secret of winning.” – Denis Waitley

40. “Starting strong is good. Finishing strong is epic.” – Robin Sharma

Related: Workplace Motivation

Thursday Work Motivation Bonus

Bonus: Here’s a little motivational speech that will surely help you with finding some of that motivation to finish your Thursday strong. Here it is….

You Vs. Thursday Motivation

Just click on the image or watch it here .

There you have it, a handful of quotes to inspire you this Thursday, as well as access to a few additional resources for finding motivation for the end of your week. We hope you found at least a little bit of motivation so you can finish the week strong.

With that said, if you found value in this page, or if you see someone who is treating their Thursday like it was a Monday , please share this encouraging page with them. Because you just never never who needs a little Thursday motivation for work.

Till next time,

PS – If you enjoyed theseThursday motivational quotes for work, then you’ll definitely love these quotes to push you to work hard everyday of the week: Work Hard Quotes

100+ DAVID GOGGINS QUOTES TO HELP YOU GET AND STAY INSPIRED

Motivational David Goggins Quotes

David Goggins is a retired Navy SEAL, Iraq War veteran, accomplished endurance athlete, and highly sought after public speaker. He’s authored the New York Times Best-selling book ‘You Can’t Hurt Me’, along with his new book, ‘Never Finished’, and has become an icon when it comes to the power of self-discipline, mental toughness, and hard work.

Having transformed himself from a depressed, overweight young man with no future into one of the toughest men alive — becoming the only person in history to complete elite training as a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Air Force Tactical Air Controller, we feel it’s safe to say that Goggins knows a thing or two about self-motivation, determination, and rising up to accomplish the impossible. As such, we’re publishing some of the best David Goggins quotes to help you peer into a mind that knows how to easily overcome obstacles and defy the odds.

So, if you’re ready for a strong dose of motivation and tough love, let’s dive into these powerful David Goggins quotes:

BEST DAVID GOGGINS QUOTES FOR MOTIVATION

Best David Goggins Quotes on Success

1. “Never let people who choose the path of least resistance steer you away from your chosen path of most resistance.” – David Goggins

2. “No one is going to come help you. No one’s coming to save you.” – David Goggins

3. “Life is one big tug of war between mediocrity and trying to find your best self.” – David Goggins

4. “The path to success will leave you callused, bruised, and very tired. It will also leave you empowered.” – David Goggins

5. “There is no better way to grow as a person than to do everyday something you hate.” – David Goggins

6. “Everybody comes to a point in their life when they want to quit. But it’s what you do at that moment that determines who you are.” – David Goggins

7. “I don’t stop when I’m tired, I stop when I’m done.” – David Goggins

8. “You can tolerate doubt as a backseat driver, but if you put doubt in the pilot’s seat, defeat is guaranteed.” – David Goggins

9. “We all have the ability to come from nothing to something.” – David Goggins

10. “Suffering is the true test of life.” – David Goggins

Inspiring David Goggins Quote on Life

Motivational David Goggins Quotes

David Goggins is not big on leaning on external motivation, but, his quotes sure are motivating, and these quotes in particular are his most motivating. So, if you’re looking to get fired up to take action and get to work on your goals, these motivational David Goggins quotes will help you get it done.

11. “Nobody cares what you did yesterday. What have you done today to better yourself?” – David Goggins

12. “Be more than motivated, be more than driven, become literally obsessed to the point where people think you’re f*cking nuts.” – David Goggins

13. “Don’t focus on what you think you deserve. Take aim at what you are willing to earn.” – David Goggins

14. “Comfort zones: If you live in one too long… that becomes your norm. Get comfortable being uncomfortable.” – David Goggins

15. “Tell yourself the truth! That you’ve wasted enough time, and that you have other dreams that will take courage to realize, so you don’t die a f**king pussy.” – David Goggins

16. “If you want to get better, do the things that no-one else wants to do. Do the things that no-one is even thinking about doing.” – David Goggins

17. “I thought I’d solved a problem when really I was creating new ones by taking the path of least resistance.” – David Goggins

18. “Everybody wants a quick fix. You may get results, but they won’t be permanent. The permanent results come from you having to suffer.” – David Goggins

19. “We don’t rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training.” – David Goggins

20. “ Mental toughness is a lifestyle.” – David Goggins

David Goggins Quotes on Mental Toughness

21. “Read a record number of books in a given month. If you’re focused on intellectual growth, train yourself to study harder and longer than ever before.” – David Goggins

22. “Everybody comes to a point in their life when they want to quit. But it’s what you do at that moment that determines who you are.” – David Goggins

23. “If you don’t challenge yourself, you don’t know yourself.” – David Goggins

24. “I’m different than most people… when I cross the finish line of a big race, I see that people are ecstatic, but I’m thinking about what I’m going to do tomorrow. It’s as if my Journey is everlasting and there is no finish line.” – David Goggins

25. “It’s possible to transcend anything that doesn’t kill you.” – David Goggins

26. “Failure is an option. It’s what you do with the failure that makes you who you are. Our failures mold us. I have failed at several things in my life. What sets some of us apart, is that when we fail, we can’t sleep at night. It haunts us until we have our time at redemption.” – David Goggins

27. “From the time you take your first breath, you become eligible to die. You also become eligible to find your greatness and become the One Warrior. But it is up to you to equip yourself for the battle ahead.” – David Goggins

28. “Greatness pulls mediocrity into the mud. Get out there and get after it.” – David Goggins

29. “Very few people know how the bottom feels, but I do. It’s like quicksand. It grabs you, sucks you under, and won’t let go. When life is like that it’s easy to drift and continue to make the same comfortable choices that are killing you, over and over again.” – David Goggins

30. “It’s time to go to war with yourself.” – David Goggins

motivational david goggins quotes - go to war with yourself

Mindset Quotes by David Goggins

This next batch of quotes by David Goggins are related to the importance our mindset plays in how we show up in the world and achieve our goals. They provide excellent insight into how David has used his mind to achieve the impossible , and how you can too.

31. “We’re either getting better or we’re getting worse.” – David Goggins

32. “The only thing more contagious than a good attitude is a bad one.” – David Goggins

33. “When your mind is telling you that you’re done, that you’re exhausted, that you cannot possible go any further, you’re actually 40% done.” – David Goggins

34. “Denial is the ultimate comfort zone.” – David Goggins

35. “People take classes on self-help, mental toughness, breathing control — the only way to get tougher is to put yourself in hellacious situations.” – David Goggins

36. “You have to build calluses on your brain just like how you build calluses on your hands. Callus your mind through pain and suffering.” – David Goggins

37. “If you’re not physically and mentally prepared for what life is going to throw at you, then you’re just going to crumble, And then, you’re no good to nobody.” – David Goggins

38. “The more things you can do to get outside of that zone that makes you feel good, the stronger your mind is going to get. It starts getting used to doing things like this. It’s not fun, but now my mind is used to it.” – David Goggins

39. “Whenever you decided to follow a dream or set a goal , you are just as likely to come up with with all the reasons why the likelihood of success is low. Blame it on the fu**ed-up evolutionary wiring of the human mind. But you don’t have to let your doubt into the cockpit!” – David Goggins

40. “The mind is the most powerful thing in the world.” – David Goggins

david goggins quote

41. “The reason it’s important to push hardest when you want to quit the most is because it helps you callous your mind. It’s the same reason why you have to do your best work when you are the least motivated.” – David Goggins

42. “Most of us we live in a box, and we don’t want to go out of that box at all, ever. Outside of that box is all these possibilities of life, but what we do is shackle our mind and we are a prisoner in our own mind.” – David Goggins

43. “In a human being your character is your foundation, and when you build a bunch of successes and pile up even more failures on a fu**ed-up foundation, the structure that is the self won’t be sound.” – David Goggins

44. “To develop an armored mind — a mindset so calloused and hard that it becomes bulletproof — you need to go to the source of all your fears and insecurities.” – David Goggins

45. “Only when you identify and accept your weaknesses will you finally stop running from your past.” – David Goggins

46. “Pain unlocks a secret doorway in the mind, one that leads to both peak performance, and beautiful silence.” – David Goggins

47. “Only you can master your mind, which is what it takes to live a bold life filled with accomplishments most people consider beyond their capability.” – David Goggins

48. “Everything in life is a mind game! Whenever we get swept under by life’s dramas, large and small, we are forgetting that no matter how bad the pain gets, no matter how harrowing the torture, all bad things end.” – David Goggins

49. “Our culture has become hooked on the quick-fix, the life hack, efficiency. Everyone is on the hunt for that simple action algorithm that nets maximum profit with the least amount of effort. There’s no denying this attitude may get you some of the trappings of success, if you’re lucky, but it will not lead to a calloused mind or self-mastery.” – David Goggins

50. “It’s so easy to be great these days, because everyone else is so weak.” – David Goggins

so easy to be great quote by david goggins

Inspiring David Goggins Quotes

This next set of quotes consists of some of the most inspirational David Goggins quotes source from his book, interviews, and social media activity. We think they’ll inspire you to want to push your limits and aim for the stars in all you do.

51. “You’re probably living at about 40 percent of your true capability.” – David Goggins

52. “The worst thing that can happen to a man is to become civilized” – David Goggins

53. “You are in danger of living a life so comfortable and soft, that you will die without ever realizing your true potential.” – David Goggins

54. “ A warrior is a guy that goes, I’m here again today. I’ll be here again tomorrow and the next day.’ It’s a person who puts no limit on what’s possible.” – David Goggins

55. “If you can get through doing things that you hate to do, on the other side is greatness.” – David Goggins

56. “The only way that you’re ever going to get to the other side of this journey is by suffering. You have to suffer in order to grow. Some people get it, some people don’t.” – David Goggins

57. “We live in a world where a lot of people need goals, motivation, and a lot of other words to get started. It’s just a big excuse to not get started.” – David Goggins

58. “A warrior is not a person that carries a gun. The biggest war you ever go through is right between your own ears. It’s in your mind. We’re all going through a war in our mind, and we have to callus our minds to fight that war and to win that war.” – David Goggins

59. “The only reason why I became successful was because I went towards the truth. As painful and as brutal as it is, it changed me. It allowed me, in my own right, to become the person who I am today.” – David Goggins

60. “It may be satisfactory, but that’s another word for mediocrity.” – David Goggins

david goggins quote on mediocrity

61. “We are all great. No matter if you think you’re dumb, fat, been bullied, we all have greatness. You gotta find the courage. It’s going to be hard work, discipline , and the non-cognitive skills — hard work, dedication, sacrifice — that will set you apart. – David Goggins

62. “Before you start a goal — let’s take care of our insecurities because they are going to surface when you put yourself in the crucible and you’re suffering.” – David Goggins

63. “A lot of people put motivational quotes up on the wall, and all they do is collect dust. Become what that quote says. Live it every day.” – David Goggins

64. “A normal person would give up. They’d say, fu** it, it’s just not meant to be, and refuse to torture themselves one minute more. But I wasn’t wired normal.” – David Goggins

65. “Show people, don’t tell people!” – David Goggins

66. “Most of us fail in life because we are afraid of what everyone around you is thinking. That’s 100% truth.” – David Goggins

67. “When you fall down, focus on the solution, not the problem You might quit or fail 100 times. Keep that clear picture of where you want to be.” – David Goggins

68. “Be true to whoever or whatever you are  and wear it like a bandage of honor. Fit in with one person and one person only: yourself.” – David Goggins

69. “Motivation is crap. Motivation comes and goes. When you’re driven, whatever is in front of you will get destroyed.” – David Goggins

70. “Life is the most brutal endurance sport of all time!” – David Goggins

hard work beats talent essay

71. “When you’re exhausted, weak, and tired and everyone around you looks just as bad as you or even worse- that’s the perfect time for you to make a statement. You let everyone around you know that when their life ends, that’s when yours begins.” – David Goggins

72. “If you want to be one of the few to defy those trends in our ever-softening society, you will have to be willing to go to war with yourself and create a whole new identity, which requires an open mind.”  – David Goggins

73. “Most people who doubt you, doubt you because they can never see themselves doing what you are trying to do.” – David Goggins

74. “What put distance between me and almost everybody else in that platoon is that I didn’t let my desire for comfort rule me.” – David Goggins

75. “My work ethic is the single most important factor in all of my accomplishments.” – David Goggins

76. “In every failure a lot of good things will have happened, and we must acknowledge them.” – David Goggins

77. “Thicken your skin. Become more of a human being. Don’t be afraid of the reflection in the mirror.” – David Goggins

78. “If you choose to do something, Attack It.” – David Goggins

79. “Don’t focus on what you think you deserve. Take aim at what you are willing to earn!” – David Goggins

80. “Your entitled mind is dead weight. Cut it loose.” – David Goggins

David Goggins Quote on Entitlement

81. “Most of us are motivated as hell to do anything to pursue our dreams until those around us remind us of the danger, the downside, our own limitations, and all the people before us that didn’t make it. Sometimes, the advice comes from a well intentioned place. They really believe they are doing it for our own good but if you let them, these same people will talk you out of your dreams, and your governor will help them do it.” – David Goggins

82. “Life is one big mind game. The only person you are playing against is yourself.” – David Goggins

83. “Starting at zero is a mindset that says my refrigerator is never full, and it never will be.” – David Goggins

84. “We can always become stronger and more agile, mentally and physically. We can always become more capable and more reliable. Since that’s the case we should never feel that our work is done. There is always more to do.” – David Goggins

85. “We are all fighting the same battle. All of us are torn between comfort and performance, between settling for mediocrity or being willing to suffer in order to become our best self, all the damn time.” – David Goggins

86. “We need to surround ourselves with people who will tell us what we need to hear, not what we want to hear, but at the same time not make us feel we’re up against the impossible.” – David Goggins

87. “In life, there is no gift as overlooked or inevitable as failure.” – David Goggins

88. “Luck is a capricious bi***. It won’t always go your way, so you can’t get trapped in this idea that just because you imagined a possibility for yourself that you somehow deserve it.” – David Goggins

89. “Self-talk and visualization are the two keys to my success.” – David Goggins

90. “In this life, we’re either getting better or we’re getting worse.” – David Goggins

goggins quotes

91. “We are all guilty of allowing so-called experts, or just people who have more experience in a given field than we do, to cap our potential.” – David Goggins

92. “In this life there are countless trails to self-realization, though most demand intense discipline , so very few take them.” – David Goggins

93. “To exist in this world, we must contend with humiliation, broken dreams, sadness, and loss. That’s just nature. Each specific life comes with its own personalized portion of pain. It’s coming for you. You can’t stop it. And you know it.” – David Goggins

94. “We live a life defined by the limits we imagine and desire for ourselves because it’s comfortable as hell in that box.” – David Goggins

95. “We all need to start looking at obstacles very differently in life. Obstacles are purely hidden opportunities.” – David Goggins

96. “You have to learn to be the person who really doesn’t care if it is 70 and sunny or 20 and windy. You just don’t care and continue moving forward . The obstacle is the opportunity if you are willing to see it that way. Stay hard!” – David Goggins

97. “There is so much poison that people are feeding people’s minds these days. People want to see you lesser than them. A lot of people want to see you on your back. Be careful who you listen to in this world- they may very well be the infection that keeps your brain sedentary.” – David Goggins

98. “In life, when you miss the shot that can tie the game, before you put your head down, look at the scoreboard because I bet you still have time in the game. And in this game of life, anything can happen at any given second that can turn the tide in that game!” – David Goggins

99. “The Spartans were masters of pain. They knew how to embrace it and push through it. They didn’t just endure pain, they welcomed it. That’s what made them so powerful.” – David Goggins

100. “Taking souls all day everyday.” – David Goggins

taking souls quote

101. “I seem to annoy people just by doing me. Well, guess what? A lot of people annoy the hell out of me by not working to their full potential, being lazy and making excuses for their lot in life.” – David Goggins

102. “When you make excuses, you’re running from the truth.” – David Goggins

103 . “The only way we can change is to be real with ourselves.” – David Goggins

104. “Be uncommon amongst uncommon people.” – David Goggins

105. “It’s a lot more than mind over matter. It takes relentless self-discipline to schedule suffering into your day, every day.” – David Goggins

106. “Analyze your schedule, kill your empty habits, burn out the bulls**t, and see what’s left.” – David Goggins

107. “Don’t let your body or mind do exactly what it wants to do. Take control.” – David Goggins

108. “Greatness pulls mediocrity into the fu****g mud.” – David Goggins

109. “ Find strength in the misery, cause you can get a lot of power in misery.” – David Goggins

110. “Stay Hard!” – David Goggins

David Goggins Stay Hard Quote

111. “You’re gonna find peace by going to war with yourself.” – David Goggins

112. “What makes me me, is the dungeon.” – David Goggins

113. “There’s always going to be that mutherf****r in the sewer you came from, that’s grabbing at your fu****g ankle as you’re leaving that sewer, that’s gonna drag your right the f*** back down because you figured it out.” – David Goggins

114. “Every morning starts with a run, and that’s because it’s the one thing I hate to do more than anything in the world. So, that’s like my cup of coffee.” – David Goggins

115. “The most important step we’ll ever take in life, is our next one.” – David Goggins

116. “They don’t know me son!! Who’s gonna carry the boats… and the logs?” – David Goggins

117. “The struggle is real. It never gets any easier… you got to get harder.” – David Goggins

Bonus David Goggins Quote

Bonus: Alright, here is our last David Goggins quote that we want to leave you with. It’s a painful truth, but we all need to hear it, and never forget it….

“You Don’t Get Better On The Daggum Couch.” – David goggins –

Related: David Goggins Net Worth

We hope you enjoyed this collection of motivating David Goggins quotes. If any of them inspired you, please share the page or the quote with someone whom you think could use a friendly nudge from David Goggins to step up their game.

With that said, we hope these quotes help you follow Goggins’ lead to keep your mind strong and stay hard!

PS – If you enjoyed these David Goggins quotes, you may enjoy this inspiring David Goggins Story of Success.

35+ STRIVE QUOTES TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE THE LIFE YOU DESERVE

strive quotes

To strive means to make great efforts to achieve or obtain something. It means to struggle or fight vigorously ; to battle or compete. It is a word that encompasses what many go through day in and day out as they pursue their most cherished goals and aims in life. Without a doubt, it is a powerful word, especially for those who are reaching for more in their lives. And if you are on this page, that person is likely you. As such, we decided to publish the most inspiring strive quotes of all time, and we are dedicating them to you.

So, fellow achiever, if you’re ready for some inspiration to keep you fighting for all the great things you deserve in life, then let’s dive in to these top quotes about striving.

BEST STRIVE QUOTES TO FOR ACHIEVING SUCCESS

Best Strive For Success Quotes

1. “It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness.” – Seneca 

2. “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” –  Albert Einstein

3. “To strive tirelessly and at all times to reach one’s goal – therein lies the secret of success .” – Anna Pavlova

4. “Don’t worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition.” – Abraham Lincoln

5. “In this world, you only get what you grab for.” – Giovanni Boccaccio

strive for the best

6. “Life is so much more rewarding if you strive for something, rather than take what’s given to you on a plate.” – Amy Winehouse

7. “Ambition is your inner voice that tells you, you can, and should, strive to go beyond your circumstances or situation in life.” – Lloyd Blankfein

8. “On occasion we need to make a second effort – and a third effort, and a fourth effort, and as many degrees of effort as may be required to accomplish what we strive to achieve.”  –  Thomas S. Monson

9. “Infinite striving to be the best is man’s duty; it is its own reward. Everything else is in God’s hands.” – Gandhi

10. “There is no failure except in no longer trying.” – Elbert Hubbard

Strive for Success Quote

11. “If we are to be a really great people, we must strive in good faith to play a great part in the world.” – Theodore Roosevelt

12. “Even when it is not fully attained, we become better by striving for a higher goal.” – Viktor Frankl

13. “I don’t know what my calling is, but I want to be here for a bigger reason. So I strive to be like the greatest people who have ever lived.” – Will Smith

14. “I’m certainly not saying that my life is what success is all about. To me, success is the ongoing process of striving to become more.” – Anthony Robbins

15. “Achievement eventually befalls the person who never stops striving.” – Strive Quote

never stop striving quotes

16. “Never be satisfied with less than your very best effort. If you strive for the top and miss, you’ll still ‘beat the pack.” – Gerald R. Ford

17. “I was taught to strive not because there were any guarantees of success but because the act of striving is in itself the only way to keep faith with life.” – Madeleine Albright

18. “If one advances confidently in the direction of one’s dreams, and endeavors to live the life which one has imagined, one will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”  –  Henry David Thoreau

19. “Once we get the things we are striving for, we rarely remain satisfied with them. The things are just the bait. Chasing after them forces us to evolve, and it is the evolution and not the rewards themselves that matters to us and to those around us. This means that for most people success is struggling and evolving as effectively as possible.” – Ray Dalio

20. “Mistakes are proof that you are trying.” – Anonymous

Quote on Trying Hard

21. “Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.” – Newt Gingrich

22. “Success… seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.” –  Conrad Hilton

23. “God provides the wind, but man must raise the sails.” ―St. Augustine

24. “I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have. ”  –   Thomas Jefferson

25. “Sometimes a winner is a dreamer who just won’t quit.” – Rudy

keep on striving quote

26. “Always remember that striving and struggle precede success, even in the dictionary.” – Sarah Ban Breathnach

27. “Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.” – Confucius

28. “Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better.” – Pat Riley

29. “You are what you do, not what you say you do.”  –  Carl Jung

30. “We can not guarantee success, but we can strive to deserve it.” – George Washington

strive quote

31. “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas Edison

32. “All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney

33. “The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.” – Moliere

34. “Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing.” – Barry Finlay

35. “If you strive for excellence, success will follow.” – Shreya Ghoshal

strive for success quotes

36. “Striving for success without hard work is like trying to harvest where you haven’t planted.” – David Bly

37. “A vision on its own is not enough. Hard work and dedication is required to make that vision a reality.” – Strive Masiyiwa

38. “We all have wounds, but you can’t let that be an excuse to sit on the sidelines. Sometimes in life you have to play in pain.” – Joel Olsteen

39. “God always strives together with those who strive.” – Aeschylus

40. “Success is always possible for the person who just keeps striving.” – The STRIVE

Keep Striving Quotes

41. “Throughout the more than 40 years Virgin has been in business we have been continuously striving – striving to deliver wonderful products and services, striving to make a positive difference, striving to change people’s life for the better.  Had we not kept striving, we certainly wouldn’t be where we are today.” – Richard Branson

42. “Be a lot, do a lot, do a lot have a lot. ” – Myron Golden

43. “Strive for continuous improvement, instead of perfection.” – Kim Collins

44. “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” – Dale Carnegie

Bonus Strive Quote

Bonus: Out of our entire collection of striving quotes, this one is by far our favorite. We believe it encompasses everything that needs to be said about striving for success. Enjoy!

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly ; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed ; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”  –   Theodore Roosevelt

Strive Valiantly Quote

Takeaways From These Strive Quotes

We hope you enjoyed these strive quotes. Their purpose is to encourage you to stay hell bent on reaching your aims, because that’s what it will take to achieve them.

With that being said, here are some takeaways from these strive quotes:

  • Success eventually comes to those who strive hard
  • Strive not to be a success but rather to be of value
  • Striving doesn’t guarantee success, but shows how deserving you are
  • To strive is to reach, and you can’t obtain if you don’t reach

So, keep trying (hard), keep attempting, continue to endeavor, to aim, and make those great efforts towards your goals. Because it is only through dogged persistence, extra effort, and exerting oneself continuously that we move on to better things. Now go out and get what you deserve .

PS – If you enjoyed these quotes about striving, then you’ll love these quotes about hustling .

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Comparing Talent And Hard Work

Comparing Talent And Hard Work

It is so easy to describe people as being talented. Just look at any headline praising a piece of artwork, music, or other great feat, and you are likely to see the word “talented,” “gifted,” or a variant of these being thrown around.

In the case of musician and songwriters, one is said to be talented if they have produced work that gets some attention, especially on the charts or radio airwaves. Labels such as iconic, legendary, infamous, and other similar terms are quickly slapped onto such individuals, further elevating them to superhuman status in society.

But is being talented a true marker of success? In the process of highlighting the seemingly in-born “natural” gifts of achievers, the virtues of hard work can get lost in the mix. The result is that many aspiring “talents” believe they only need to rely on their innate abilities in order to produce notable works. Inevitably, this can lead to disappointment, frustration, and even mental health issues when the reality hits home that talent alone is not enough.

Hard work vs talent

The common saying, “Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard” is one of the most profound statements ever made in this regard. If you are not convinced, you can read up on the life stories of some of the most remarkable people in history. Celebrities and personalities such as Richard Branson, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, and Jack Ma, were all told they were not good enough to be successful in their fields, at one point or another. 

In the music industry, Bruno Mars was initially told he sucked at being a musician before he started writing songs for other artists and then kicked off his impressive career. As a child, Shakira was ridiculed for her singing style by her teacher and classmates. Elvis Presley was frowned upon and advised he wasn't going anywhere fast in music. Even the Beatles were told they did not have the necessary talent to make a dent in the music industry. All these acts were able to rise above the criticisms of their talent (or lack thereof) and become great in their own rights.

It becomes necessary, therefore, to clear the air about these societal misconceptions. Let’s compare talent and hard work and how each applies in the grand scheme of life.

Hard work is necessary for success, talent isn’t

One is often led to believe that being naturally gifted is the ultimate prerequisite for success in any field. But almost every notable example of a big achievement involves some degree of putting in some amount of work. In athletics, for example, standout athletes such as Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, and Serena Williams are often hailed for their natural abilities. However, closer analysis of their careers shows that these master athletes spent huge chunks of their lives practicing relentlessly. In addition, they had people behind them who pushed them harder than most of their competitors. 

Truth be told, most athletes were born with natural talents. By the time they enter competitive scenarios, the playing field is pretty much level among competitors in the same categories. The immense success of the few who turn out to be champions was often only possible because these people also put in just a bit more time and dedication. Their training ensured they could go just a bit further and have that wee bit extra stamina, which ensured they were still able to deliver the goods even when their “gifts” failed to kick in.

As it relates to the music industry, there are tons of examples of people who weren’t/aren’t necessarily the best singers, songwriters, or performers, but have still managed to carve out impressive careers. Some of these people have surpassed peers who were considered more technically brilliant and with more natural "gifts."

EQ is more important to success than IQ

A popular recruitment practice used in many industries is to have job candidates do IQ tests to determine how naturally gifted they are in their respective fields. But in recent times, emphasis has been placed on emotional intelligence (EQ) as being more important to business growth than intellectual intelligence (IQ). Increasingly, firms are looking for leaders with high EQ to manage critical areas of business in order to get the most out of work teams. 

That's because several studies have revealed that things like productivity, empathy, and effective communication are mostly tied to emotional cues rather than "brain smarts," so to speak. It also turns out that employees who rank higher on the EQ scale tend to work harder, are more focused, and often even earn more than their peers who are higher up the ladder in terms of IQ. 

The same thing has played out in the music industry over the years. As mentioned in the previous point, there are tons of musicians who have managed to become super successful despite not being the most talented. In many cases, these acts are more in touch with their emotions and have applied their EQ to their ability to connect with music listeners through their music and forge strategic relationships in the music business, resulting in stronger fan bases and greater opportunities for their audiences to consume their creations.

Talent needs to be honed in order to be useful

Having talent is simply not enough unless it is improved upon. Aside from working hard, talent can only become useful if the owner of that talent does what is necessary to expand it. If your talent is just being good at playing the guitar, for instance, that ability can only get you so far because there are many other people who also know their way around the instrument. 

How will you set yourself apart from the crowd and put yourself in line to be chosen for gigs? You would do so by finding ways to expand your guitar-playing capabilities, whether that means learning new finger tricks, perfecting a particular strumming technique, or mastering different types of guitars. The same goes for a talented songwriter who wants to get better at writing songs rather than just be a "talented" songwriter. 

All these require taking music lessons, watching tutorials, taking inspiration from other greats in your field and, of course, many hours of practice (which goes back to hard work). Either way, people who have a high degree of talent and go on to be successful were only able to do so by further honing that talent rather than being comfortable with just being talented.

Let's be clear - nothing is wrong with having natural abilities. After all, everyone is born to be good at something, even if you have not figured out your own gift as yet. However, finding success at any level, and in any field, requires way more than talent. The relationships you create with people and habits you develop also play a role in your ability to grow your career, especially in fields such as music. But, ultimately, working hard is the main determining factor as to how far you can go and the legacy you leave behind.

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Essay on Hard Work

500 words essay on  hard work.

Hard work is an essential thing we all need in life. It is impossible to achieve greatness without working hard. In other words, an idle person cannot gain anything if they wish to sit and wait for something else. On the other hand, one who keeps working hard constantly will definitely gain success in life and this is exactly what essay on hard work will elaborate upon.

essay on hard work

Importance of Hard Work

Hard work is important and history has proved it time and again. The great Edison used to work for many hours a day and he dozed off on his laboratory table only with his books as his pillow.

Similarly, the prime minister of India, late Pt. Nehru used to work for 17 hours a day and seven days a week. He did not enjoy any holidays. Our great leader, Mahatma Gandhi worked round the clock to win freedom for our country.

Thus, we see that hard work paid off for all these people. One must be constantly vigil to work hard as it can help you achieve your dreams. As we say, man is born to work. Just like steel, he shines in use and rusts in rest.

When we work hard in life, we can achieve anything and overcome any obstacle. Moreover, we can also lead a better life knowing that we have put in our all and given our best to whatever work we are doing.

Key to Success

Hard work is definitely the key to success. What we earn by sweating our brow gives us greater happiness than something we get by a stroke of luck. As humans, we wish to achieve many things in life.

These things need hard work to be able to come true. Poverty is not the curse but idealness is. When we waste our time, time will also waste us. Hard work can help anyone achieve success. Great people were born in cottages but died in palaces.

Thus, it shows how through great work one can get the key to success. When you start working hard, you will notice changes in your life. You will become more disciplined and focused on your work.

Moreover, you will start seeing results within a short time. It is nothing but proof that when you work hard, things like determination, focus, concentration, come automatically to you. As a result, nothing will stop you from achieving success .

Success is not just someone being famous and rich in life. When you work hard and lead a comfortable life filled with love that is also a success. Hard work must not limit to work but also your personal life. When you put in hard work in work and relationships, life will prosper.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Conclusion of the Essay on Hard Work

If we get the determination and focus, we can all work hard for a better future. It is important to concentrate as it ensures our work is finishing on time and in a better manner. Therefore, by working hard, we can increase our concentration power and open doors to new opportunities.

FAQ of Essay on Hard Work

Question 1: What is the importance of hard work?

Answer 1: Hard work teaches us discipline , dedication and determination. It is certainly important because it is only through hard work that we can achieve the goals of our life. Thus, we all must work hard.

Question 2: Does hard work lead to success?

Answer 2: Yes, hard work, together with the time will definitely lead to success. It is what can help you achieve a better life. Moreover, the harder you work, the more confident you will become in life.

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Hard Work Counts More than Talent

4 Pages Posted: 25 Feb 2022

Rabel Catayoc

Magsaysay College

Date Written: December 24, 2021

This is a persuasive essay about talent and hardwork. This essay discussed about how and why hardwork counts more than just talent alone.

Keywords: talent, harwork, skills, secular, spiritual

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Rabel Catayoc (Contact Author)

Magsaysay college ( email ).

Polacion Misamis Oriental, Misamis 9015 Philippines

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QUESTION 5 - Hard work or talent? (NAPLAN Grade 5) Hard work is more important than talent. Do you agree or disagree? Argue your point. …

Struggling With Writing In English?

Hard work is more important than talent by akeek for k.

I agree that hard work is more important than talent. Hard work is more important than talent because if someone has a talent, that person will lose it because of proudness, and hard work makes talent.

Someone has a talent, and they feel like they are the best person at it, so instead of working hard, they just sit on the couch, and rest, just being useless. Until one day, he tries the talent again and finds out that he has lost it. If someone has a talent, they will be proud of it, and doesn't try to keep it up, and eventually loses his useless talent.

Hard work makes talent, for example, when I was small, I was really bad at origami, I even had to ask about how to fold a cup! I was really sad, so I used about five years trying to accomplish my dream. Until I was better than anything I could have ever thought I would be long ago. If you use hard work, it creates talent! So why even think about talent.

People on the opposing side will say, that talented people will have an easier time trying to succeed in life than those who are untalented. It is wrong, because talented people actually have a harder time trying to succeed in life than those who are untalented. As I said, people who are talented will lose the talent.

Hard work is more important than talent because, if someone has a talent, proudness will take it away, and hard work creates talent.

Your essay has received a general score of 4.75 on a scale from 3 to 8 #4 out of 16

hard work beats talent essay

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    hard work beats talent essay

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  1. Hard Work Beats Talent

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  5. Why Hard Work Beats Talent: The Ultimate Success Formula

  6. Hard work beats talent, every time

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  1. Hard Work Beats Talent (But Only If Talent Doesn't Work Hard)

    This is true; hard work does pay off. The Beatles got to be so good because they had to perform their music four hours a day (eight days a week) during their two-year stint in Hamburg. Bobby ...

  2. Hard Work Beats Talent When Talent Doesn't Work Hard

    In conclusion, the aphorism "hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard" underscores the transformative potential of dedication and perseverance. While innate talent may provide a head start, it is the consistent application of effort and the resilience to overcome challenges that truly propel individuals toward greatness. The stories ...

  3. How Hard Work Beats Talent When It Comes To Success

    That is when hard work surpass talent and talent must then work hard. Even for those who do work hard and give it there all they will never reach a culmination because there is no peak to the practice of bettering yourself. That is why people dedicate their lives to perfecting their arts because they know there will always be more to do.

  4. Is talent or hard work more important?

    Why people reward innate talent over hard work. The narrative goes that a large part of perceived success is due to work ethic. But that may not always be the case. In almost every discipline ...

  5. Why Hard Work is Better Than Talent

    Why Hard Work is Better Than Talent. Written by Anna Yuen-Ting Chui. Anna is the Editor-in-Chief & Content Strategist of Lifehack. We live in an achievement-obsessed society that is quick to apply the labels "talented" and "gifted" to everyone who has accomplished anything of note. Successful people are often portrayed as superhuman ...

  6. Talent vs Hard Work: What Is More Important for Success?

    Talent provides initial advantages (consider child prodigies) whereas hard work can compensate for a lack of early talent (consider people like Kobe Bryant). The synergy between liking what you do and your talent enhances motivation and perseverance, while lacking joy in your pursuit can hinder success. Slight talent and work go hand in hand.

  7. Can Hard Work Beat Talent?

    The Harvard Business Review cites the value of a growth mindset. In contrast to a fixed mindset, where one believes their abilities and talents are set in stone, someone with a growth mindset thinks they can expand and improve on their abilities via hard work, learning, and practice. Having a growth mindset is linked with a number of benefits ...

  8. Talent Matters Even More than People Think

    Talent concerns the abilities, skills, and expertise that determine what a person can do. Effort concerns the degree to which the person deploys their talents. Effort concerns the degree to which ...

  9. Hard Work vs. Talent: The Eternal Debate

    When it comes to success, I believe three qualities—hard work, persistence, and desire—hold greater value than sheer talent. Just about anyone of normal intelligence can learn to accomplish any human activity or behavior competently—IF that person practices enough, day in and day out. Sometimes, talent can actually hinder accomplishment.

  10. Hard Work Doesn't Always Lead to Success

    Hard work has been romanticized since corporations existed. In the business world, idioms about how sleep is for the weak or how no amount of talent can supersede hard work were doled out for decades.

  11. The Role of Talent and Hard Work in Reaching Success

    Some people are talented at making hard work and at the same time, are hard worker at making talent. The hard worker is dedicated, determined and disciplined. Undoubtedly, hard work is more important than talent at every sphere of life with a goal termed, "success.". It is on the track of success that hard work importance cannot be over ...

  12. Which is More Important: Hard Work or Talent?

    Hard Work is a Form of Talent. Generally, people believe talent is more important than hard work for achieving success, but nobody becomes successful overnight. Hard work may be an underrated endeavor, but it is ultimately what gets a person across the finish line. And having the determination to work hard in the face of difficulty is a form of ...

  13. Do you believe hard work is more important than talent for ...

    The perennial debate of hard work versus talent is one that has intrigued scholars and laypeople alike. While some staunchly advocate for the supremacy of hard work, I hold the conviction that both hard work and talent are indispensable and mutually reinforcing | Band: 7 ... A great argument essay structure may be divided to four paragraphs, in ...

  14. Hard Work Beats Talent

    Not on talent, because "you cannot win on talent alone." (Herb Brooks) It's the hard work they put into practices, off ice conditioning, and in games. That's why they were so successful. As a result of my coach, who taught me how crucial hard work can pay off, I was able to out work ten goalies for a position on the Northern Michigan ...

  15. Talent will always beat hard work

    However, it also denounces that talent is unworthy if we have over-confidence. In fact, we can have a talent but we cannot be talented if we don't improve it, as Tim Notke said "Hard Work Beats Talent When Talent Doesn't Work Hard" : while the tortoise kept its eyes on its goals, the Hare was taking a rest, believing that it would win the race.

  16. Does Hard Work Really Beat Talent?

    No, hard work should never beat talent because talent never stops working hard. Talent isn't enough anymore; it needs to be nurtured to take you where you want to go. Nurturing means hard work.

  17. Hard Work is The Key to Success

    HARD WORK. That's right, hard work and success go hand in hand. Why? Because… "Hard Work Beats Talent When Talent Doesn't Work Hard." - Tim Notke - Hard work and success are intertwined, and the only way to reap the latter is to do the former. The issue for many is that hard work is challenging, and it requires persistence and ...

  18. Talent Vs Hard Work: Which Is More Important For Success ...

    The common saying, "Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard" is one of the most profound statements ever made in this regard. If you are not convinced, you can read up on the life stories of some of the most remarkable people in history. Celebrities and personalities such as Richard Branson, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, and ...

  19. Why Hard Work Beats Talent When Talent Doesn't Work Hard

    Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn't work hard! You can have all of the talent in the world, but if you don't use it to your full potential, you might lose to someone who has less talent, but works harder. I believe that to be a successful person you have to be committed to it.

  20. Essay On Hard Work for Students and Children

    Hard work must not limit to work but also your personal life. When you put in hard work in work and relationships, life will prosper. Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas. Conclusion of the Essay on Hard Work. If we get the determination and focus, we can all work hard for a better future.

  21. Hard Work Counts More than Talent by Rabel Catayoc :: SSRN

    Abstract. This is a persuasive essay about talent and hardwork. This essay discussed about how and why hardwork counts more than just talent alone. Keywords: talent, harwork, skills, secular, spiritual. undefined. Suggested Citation: Catayoc, Rabel, Hard Work Counts More than Talent (December 24, 2021).

  22. Hard work is more important than talent

    It is wrong, because talented people actually have a harder time trying to succeed in life than those who are untalented. As I said, people who are talented will lose the talent. Hard work is more important than talent because, if someone has a talent, proudness will take it away, and hard work creates talent. Word count: 258.