They say that talent beats hard work, but I say that your input determines your output.
When I think back to times in my life when my input was lousy, it makes perfect sense as to why the output was always a lackluster result. Extraordinary natural talent can get you to the dance, but that same talent, without the addition of consistent, hard work guarantees that you won’t be the alpha dog.
Talent Beats Hard Work
If two athletes are equal across the board, but one is more talented, the talented athlete will win every time.
There are many quarterbacks who have more raw, physical talent than Tom Brady, but he outworks them all and has the hardware to prove it. Usain Bolt had supreme talent, but he was blown away at the 2004 Olympics in Greece. When his work ethic began to match his talent, he became one of the greatest sprinters and the fastest man (current) of all times.
A talented athlete who does not work hard will never achieve their maximum potential. A hard-working athlete, who does not have as much raw natural talent, can max out their athletic ability by continuing to work hard on a consistent basis. Consistently giving your best effort, especially with the smaller details that most athletes ignore like diet and recovery, will separate the pretenders from the contenders.
Just The Facts
Let’s use professional basketball as an example that you need more than talent to maximize your athletic ability.
There are many players who are 6’6 with extreme athleticism. These ballers can jump out of the gym. But how come the only one we consistently talk about as the greatest of all time is the iconic Michael Jordan?
What is the difference between MJ and the rest of these players? He gave maximum effort not only on game day but also doing the little things every day that no one sees.
If you are not getting stronger, leaner, or more athletic, it will only take one look in the mirror to find out who is responsible. It all comes down to you. If you want to blame something, blame your lack of effort.
There are two principles that relate directly to giving your best effort.
1) Change Your Mindset
A negative mindset will end any hopes of success before you even get started.
When you enter the gym with a lousy attitude, your effort is going to be lousy too. I have heard all the classic, fake hustle lines during my career:
“Oh, I’m tired!”
“Man, it’s cold!”
“Girl, this weight is too heavy!”
“Forget this, I’m not in the mood!”
“Why am I doing this, it’s too hard!”
A toxic attitude is bad for positive development. I’d rather have an athlete, or a lifter stay home and give zero effort rather than to show up and give minimal effort accompanied by lame excuses as to why they are a lousy athlete.
2) Commit To The Process
When you are truly committed to the process, you understand that some days will be amazing, and some days will be unremarkable.
When you are committed to the process, you also understand that despite how you are feeling, you still have 100 percent control over your effort. You cannot let outside factors dictate how hard you work. You can make adjustments, do what you need to do, and then go home. If you want to have a remarkable physique, but you give an unremarkable effort, it will show. Your body will stay the exact same and then inevitably get worse.
Conclusion
If you want to be a great athlete, but you skip practice, avoid the weight room, and eat garbage, you will be exactly what I was early in my college track career: a bum.
When I learned the value of giving my best effort, I got better. I am not supremely talented, but my work ethic is what has allowed me to continue to rise on my journey to be the best trainer in the iron game.
Your input determines your output.
I’ll holla at you next time.
The People’s Trainer,
Fitman
Originally published 3/21/2016.
