Hard work is underrated. Probably because it’s boring.

As always, I’m chronically online 😭 but to keep my stimulus low(er), I try to opt for long-form content rather than short. 

Is it working? No... not at all. 

My discipline for watching content is so low and it’s a problem for another day 😂

But anyway, I was watching Will Tennyson’s latest YouTube video last night and he goes to this fancy high school that breeds athletes. 

Will Tennyson is a Canadian bodybuilder who is funny so if you’re even the slightest bit interested in fitness, health and food content - I would try him out. 

The whole video is pretty inspiring and showcases these hardworking kids who want to become professional athletes - well at least their rich parents want them to. 

There was one quote on the wall of their gym and it said “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard” 

And I know you’ve probably heard this before but what does that even mean? 

Essentially you can have all the talent in the world but if you don’t work hard, you’re f*ckd. 

You could have the most unique face and be 6 feet tall but that doesn’t make a top model alone. 

You have to go to castings, get rejected, go to the gym everyday, eat healthier than the average person. Then… then maybe you’ll be a top model. 

But that model who’s 5 foot 8, who works hard will beat the 6 foot model every time. 

She wants it more and she’s willing to work for it.  

The same goes for your work and career choice. 

You could be the greatest designer, artist, writer, photographer in the world but if you don’t put in the work behind it… well you’re never going to be that top model. 

• Getting your work seen through marketing 
• Honing in on your talent by practicing everyday for years
• Getting rejected and hearing ‘no’ more than yes 
• Saying ‘no’ to distractions so you can say ‘yes’ to progress
• Learning the boring stuff no one claps for (admin, taxes, editing, emailing, invoicing)
• Creating even when you don’t feel inspired
• Studying people better than you
• Asking for feedback and actually taking it
• Making ten versions of something to find the one that hits
• Getting up early or staying up late to finish what you started
• Failing in public and still showing up the next day
• Choosing the long way over shortcuts
• Investing time in stuff that won’t pay off for months
• Working on your mindset as much as your skillset
• Building habits that make creativity consistent
• Showing up when no one’s watching
• Being okay with being average while you improve

Okay that’s a big list but you know what? 

Technique and talent isn't enough, but that’s actually a good thing because it means anyone can be successful.

And that list above? Easy… Just action them. 

I don’t know if this was inspirational…

But I guess it’s good to know you don’t actually have to BE the best for everyone to THINK you’re the best - get me?

 

Make the journey of being better never ending. Choose something you want to do forever.

Don’t choose something because you JUST want the results. 

Choose something you like because you like to do the work - the journey. 

And that my friend is when hard work beats talent. 

Xxx
Penelope