Talent That Works

I heard something that was pretty profound lastMy guess is that the world would collectively say to
night as I was watching the Ultimate Fightingyou, "Thanks...for nothing!"
Championship's UFC 107 event on television. I am aThere is something that each of us do very well
fan of martial arts, and have grown fond of watching(maybe more than one thing). And we are all unique
these MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) events. It seems aas individuals. So, in a very real sense, we could say
little violent to some I know, and I also understandthere is something each of us can do that no one
that it's not for everyone. But to me, I truly enjoyelse in the world can do. At least not the way that
watching the skill set of these athletes, as all of thewe can do it. Does that make sense? In other
world's fighting arts are put on full display. It's a clashwords, we are all gifted naturally in some way.
of cultures and styles, with opponents usingIf you have never taken the time to consider what
everything from Greco-Roman wrestling or Brazilianyour gift or talent is, I would encourage you to
Jiu-Jitsu to Karate or even Boxing.invest the effort, and figure it out. Inspiration,
However, being a fan of martial arts or MMA is notaccomplishment, satisfaction and true joy await you!
necessary for you to still get the great and applicableChances are, you have a pretty good idea of what
message from what I heard last night.your natural talent is. If not - I'll help you get started.
One of the announcers who was calling the contestsYour gift is the thing that you do, where when
for the T.V. viewers was talking about a match upyou're finished doing it, you feel better than you do
between a guy who is a naturally gifted fighter, andat any other time. If you are a gifted speaker, it is
another who has had to work extremely hard tothat feeling you have after you have delivered a
hone his craft. To set this up - the fighter with thespeech to your audience. If you are a writer, it is
natural ability had a reputation early in his career forwhen you have finished that article or book and you
not training as hard as some of his opponents, relyingjust sit back and think, "yes". Maybe your gift is to
instead on the skill set that God has given him. It hasbe an outstanding mother, and your ability to raise
served him well, because he is so talented, but heyour children and be an example to others is
has also lost a couple of fights he might have won,unmatched. Or maybe you are a natural leader. If
had he trained harder.you are a leader - get some followers! Perhaps your
The guy that he was matched up against is one ofgift is in the area of design or decoration, I'm telling
those individuals who, despite not having all of theyou it can be anything. And I'll also tell you that only
natural ability of some, made a commitment toyou can do it the way that you do it. Yes, in the
become the best, and has worked extremely hard inmost unselfish sense...it's all about YOU!
order to achieve that. Because he has adapted thisThere are others out there who want to do those
work ethic, he has been able to defeat almost all ofthings that come so easily to you...and they want it
the opponents he faced, regardless of their skill levelso badly that they will work as hard as they possible
(he had won 22 of 25 matches going in to the boutin order to attain it. They will sacrifice themselves
last night).(and I would say their own real gift), in order to
So here's the rub - the fighter with the natural talentbecome that person that YOU are suppose to be.
(appropriately nicknamed "The Prodigy") has, at thisAnd...they will do it. They will take your place, they
point in his career, begun training as hard or harderwill out work you and they will accomplish it. They will
than anyone else in the sport. Working tirelessly totrump your talent. Unless you decide to work hard on
improve upon those things that he is alreadyyourself.
exceptional at. Not coincidentally, it has made him aNow, here's the really amazing part about working
world champion in two weight classes. He enteredhard on your talent. And this message also came
the arena last night to defend his world lightweightthrough loud and clear as I was watching the UFC
championship title.last night.
As the contest began to unfold, it became clear thatWhen you understand your gifts and your talents,
the fighter with the natural ability was in completeand you decide that you are going to pursue them
control, in fact he was absolutely dominant. It didn'tand work to become even better than you already
even seem fair. Leading to the profound statementare - it becomes almost effortless to do so. Since
of the announcer, as he observed the triumph takingyou will be operating in a world of inspiration and
place...because you are tuned in to that thing which you are
He said, "Hard work will beat talent until talent learnsmost passionate about, the work is actually fun. The
to work hard".work, in some ways is more fulfilling than the finished
My first thought when I heard that statement was,product.
"Wow, that sounded pretty good". Then I actuallyThat champion fighter that I was telling you about
engaged my brain and started thinking about thefrom last night, who has all of the natural ability in the
message. Not only does it sound pretty good, it isworld, and who has now decided to out-work
absolutely true. In sports and in life. Talent workingeveryone as well, talked a little about his outlook
hard...what a concept!before the fight. Listen to this...
The idea that you don't have to work quite as hardHe said that in the beginning of his career, he was
at something if you are already good at it, to me, ispursuing the trophy, the belt, the title, the wins. And
a loser's mentality. Is it lazy, and ultimately, it resultsnow, at this point, he is just going out there and
in your gifts not being used in the way that theyhaving fun. Did you hear that? He is working harder
should. It is settling for something other than yourthan he has ever worked in his entire career, yet
best. And I think that if you're willing to settle fornow, for the first time, he is having fun. And might I
that, you will end up disappointed, regretful andadd, destroying his opponents in the process. He is a
probably bitter. And that may not even be the worstdefinitive and shining example of how the principle of
of it.working hard on your natural talent manifests itself in
Missing out on the blessing of fulfillment is certainly athe end.
big one, like I said, bitterness awaits at the end ofHe is a world champion, who has successfully
that path. But missing out on giving your talent to thedefended his title, and in the midst of hand-to-hand
world is the other part of the equation and the onecombat, he is having fun. It is the formula for
that might leave you even more empty. We all talkultimate success, played out in the field of mixed
about how it is more blessed to give than to receive,martial arts; Recognize your natural talent, pursue
especially at this time of year, so consider thatthat talent with passion and purpose, and enjoy the
concept as it pertains here. If you settle for anythingride!
other than giving your absolute best to others, thenYes, hard work can beat talent, but only until talent
it's like giving the whole world a bunch of emptydecides to work hard.
boxes for Christmas...