Many times, when people see someone do something great, they automatically assume that the person had some immense talent that the rest of the world is not privy to. Whether you are talking concert pianist or computer guru, talent is usually always present. What many don’t like to admit, though, is that ambition will trump talent any day of the week. Here are a few reasons:

Talent Can Be Wasted

While many people who are born with a “gift” will live to see it fulfilled in some way, there will be that many more that will squander and waste natural abilities too. This is mostly because talent alone does not ensure success. It is only when talent is mixed with ambition that things start happening. Ambition, on the other hand, requires very little else to go somewhere great. Even those with very little or no talent at all can take an ambitious drive and create an opportunity for themselves. While it is very uncommon to find an ambitious person who went nowhere, finding unsuccessful people with immense talent is really quite easy.

Talent Can Be Taught

While some may disagree, anything that comes naturally to a few can also be taught to the masses. Because of this, those with talent are not really all that “special” or “unique,” they just got a head start, so to speak. If a person has enough ambition and takes time to learn, they can become just as “talented” as those that were nearly born with the ability. In other words, ambition can learn talent, while the opposite is not usually true.

Talent Can Quit

What your mama told you really is true… quitters never win. Even with immense talent and a bright future ahead, people without ambition can give into the pressures, challenges, and failures that they face and give up. Ambition, on the other hand, typically takes each disappointment and fiasco in stride, learning to overcome and move on. In the game of life, a finisher with no talent still made it further than a prodigy who quit along the way.

In reality, having a whole lot of talent and ambition is ideal, but given the choice, the scales will always tip toward ambition. So, the next time you see someone do something great, don’t just chalk it up to some unattainable skill, recognize the hard work and determination that was required.