Talent....

"Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." Tim Notke

While I was in Memphis recently and having dinner, I glanced at ESPN on the TV and saw this quote during a high school football game. Apparently, one team had this quote stuck to their lockerroom wall for motivation. It caught my attention....so I felt the need to share it with you.

I am sure we can all think of folks that have enviable talent - whether it be at work or play....athletes, leaders, etc. Do all of them work hard?

How about those underdogs we know? Folks with mediocre skill sets....

Well, whichever you may be - we all have the CHOICE when it comes to what we do with what we have!

Hard work? Some very talented people refuse to rest on their god-given talent and continue to push themselves in order to stay at their desired level of performance. One person comes to mind for me because I am about to finish his autobiography - Walter Payton!

To every account in the book, this "kid" was a natural - abilities no kid had in highschool! BUT, they all mentioned the work he put in until his retirement, and he finally shared those commitments in his book too.

His regiment over the years included:

* moving truck loads of dirt from the front yard

* jogging in boots

* running to and from school/practice

* running up the famous hill, over and over

After his retirement, he mentioned his displeasure with athletes that didn't put in the hard work for the sake of the team. 'Til the end of his career, he pushed himself in the offseason in order to be ready for camp - but he grew tired of those folks that would do nothing until camp and made the team suffer because of it! He could have performed better than half the other guys in the NFL without working so hard, but that wasn't Sweetness. He wanted to win so bad, compete on every play....for the TEAM. He would not allow himself to become complacent.

Underdogs? Sure....lots of them. The folks not given the greatest of talents, but they too succeed because of hard work, and determination. Cal Ripken Jr, Derek Jeter, Lance Armstrong....to name a few.

The other side of that?

Being in Tallahassee, I witnessed one of them in the past 4 years or so. No offense to my friends in Volusia County, but Xavier Lee did not WORK HARD! This kid was one of the greatest football players (athletes) ever to come out of the state of Florida.

Fortunately for us FSU fans, he decided to come to Tally for an education and some football. Immediately, he was in play for some playing time but would have to beat out a less-talented individual (drew weatherford) during multiple spring/fall practices in order to earn his starting role. Well, we knew then and even know better now, that he did not put in as much effort as the other QB. He relied too much on his natural talent and it showed on the practice field and also on the playing field when given a chance.

Drew was a student of the game - knew his plays, made reads, watched film, etc. Most know that Xavier didn't do that for football or for school. Eventually, Xavier quite school and college football - now he is in the CFL, on the Calgary practice squad. Wish him the best though - no hard feelings X!

In the end, neither guy brought us a national championship - but the point here is the result of hard work out dueling talent alone.

Be thankful for your god-given talent, regardless of what level you receive. Just remember to not take it for granted! Work hard....we know there is always someone out there better - so you'd better stay on top of your game! Your choice.....

What do you think?