#22-The Most Dangerous Man Isn't the Most Talented
Let me guess. You think you lost the genetic lottery. You're not the fastest. Not the smartest. Not the best looking. So what's the point of competing?
Good news, YOU’RE WRONG! I want to introduce you to a principle that will prove it:
"Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard."
Every man eventually meets two kinds of people; those born with natural talent who make everything look effortless and those who grind for every inch they earn. That's why so many men feel defeated before they even start.
But talent is a head start, nothing more. It’s not a guarantee you’ll always come out on top.
My favorite illustration of this is about two of the most well-known golfers of the last couple of decades, Tiger Woods and John Daly. These two men could not be more different in how they approach being a professional golfer.
Tiger Woods trained like a Navy SEAL who happened to play golf. He lifted weights, ran miles in combat boots, and still found time to spend 10 to 12 hours a day on the driving range and putting greens. It was normal for him to hit 1,000 golf balls a day. The result?
82 PGA Wins
15 Majors
John Daly, on the other hand, lived on Diet Coke, Miller Lite, cigarettes, and McDonald's. He rarely practiced and relied on natural feel and the ability to hit a golf ball a long, long way. The result?
5 PGA Wins
2 Majors
But which one had the most talent? The obvious answer is Tiger. But here’s his opinion:
On the Wednesday night before a tournament, John Daly was sitting in the clubhouse bar drinking whiskey and hanging out with his buddies. Tiger Woods walked by after he finished hitting balls on the range after he had already played an 18-hole practice round, when Daly called out to him to sit down, have a drink, and relax.
Tiger turned down the offer because he was headed to the gym to work out and then he was going to the putting green.
Daly looked at him and joked, "Tiger, man, you don't need to do all that. Come have a drink with me."
Tiger looked at Daly and replied: "Daly, if I had your talent, I wouldn't have to."
The Takeaway for Men
Gentlemen, do not make excuses for what you lack in natural ability. Instead:
Focus on what you can control: You cannot control your genetics. There is a limit to how strong, fast or smart you can become. BUT, you have 100% control over your effort, your discipline, and your attitude.
Build Consistency instead of obsessing on results: This comes from the GOAT, Nick Saban “focus on daily actions, habits, and standards, and results will follow rather than obsessing over the scoreboard”. People don’t determine their futures, they determine their habits and their habits determine their future.
Somewhere out there is a man with more talent than you. Beat him anyway.
Show up when he doesn't.
Train when he rests.
Study when he watches TV.
Proverbs for Men: Timeless Truths for Modern Challenges
Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will Prosper. Proverbs 13:4
Man Law
It takes no talent to hustle