“Success is not for the chosen few, it is for the few that choose.” A statement from the book “Chop Wood and Carry Water”.

We have so often times seen people that have accomplished great goals, achieved the impossible, and lead in their field of choice and chock their success up to a God-given talent, or being in the right place at the right time, or even just for the brave that were willing to take a risk. Yes, all those things can help produce success, but it cannot guarantee it alone.

I watched an interview with an athlete. The one conducting the interview was singing the praises of the athlete. He has broken this record, and that record and was for certain a leader in his sport. Then I watch something amazing happen. The interviewer commented that the athlete must have a God-given talent to be able to accomplish such great things. The athlete’s response shocked me. Instead of going along with that theory and being able to set himself apart from others, and maybe even have others look up to him, he was almost offended by being called “talented”. He went on to say, sure, I was born with some gifts that make sports possible for me, but if you give all my credit to “talent” then it negates the years I have dedicated to crafting my skills. Wow!

“Talented” makes it seem effortless, and anyone who is successful, I  can assure you, has put some effort into being so. “Talented” makes it sound like it can only happen for the ones that possess this “talent”, and that is simply not the truth.

Success come after failure after failure and lesson taught after lesson taught. Success comes from practicing and learning, and practicing more and learning more. Success comes with busted knuckles and skinned knees. Success come from grit and grind, and not taking no for an answer. Success comes from continually fine tuning your skills to become better at your craft. Success comes from burning the midnight oil, and waking up before sunrise. Success comes from continuing to study long after you are required to do so. Success comes from taking the limits off the way you see yourself, the way you think about yourself, and the way you present yourself. Success comes from not shying away from opportunity, but walking into it even if your hands are shaking.

Talent may help you along the journey, but success is only afforded to those willing to chase after it. May we all always be in pursuit.

“Success is not for the chosen few, but for the few that choose.”

-Rachel Ray

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