Is hard work really the key to success or does talent play a larger role? From personal experience, I can affirm that if one works hard consistently, he or she will be able to surpass those who seemingly are naturally talented at a particular craft. It is certainly true that each person has a natural tendency to easily excel in a given area. For one person, that may be sports. For another, it may be mathematics or singing. Whatever it may be, each of us is equipped with several different skills and interests that enable us to be more capable of doing a certain thing rather seamlessly. For me, that thing is writing. When I write, for most of the time, words seem to flow naturally, and I definitely feel as if I'm in my element. I have known others who have found writing to be a little more challenging, but they were able to significantly improve their abilities with ambition, hard work and practice.

This leads me to the point that even though talent can take one far, hard work will always be the foundation upon which success is built. Someone can be exceptionally talented at singing or dancing, but without constant practice and effort as well as the determination to improve, her chances at achieving success in her skill surely are reduced. If someone who is not as naturally gifted at either of the aforementioned techniques but puts in time, effort and energy persistently into being better then I would say she has a much more crucial advantage than the naturally talented individual who does not do so.

In my case, another area in which I seem to excel almost naturally is public speaking. I like to speak, and I enjoy engaging in conversation with other people, but I have noticed that despite my natural tendency for speaking, when I am removed from those situations for a longer period of time, I will subsequently find speaking in front of an audience to be somewhat overwhelming. I can only attribute this to my lack of practice and inconsistent use of my public speaking skills.

Stemming from personal experiences, whether I was naturally talented at something or not, I have always managed to do well in anything I have invested myself in through the use of hard work. Working hard is not only a requirement for success, but it's an important habit that every person needs to develop in order to grow as people and grow as disciples of their trade.