Caitlin Jenner put this another way: “I learned that the only way you are going to get anywhere in life is to work hard at it. Whether you're a musician, a writer, an athlete or a businessman, there is no getting around it. If you do, you'll win - if you don't, you won't.”
So many people assume that true success requires being born with natural talent. But natural ability and Olympic/award/record-winning talent are two entirely different things. Cristiano Ronaldo didn't fall out of the womb clutching five Ballon d'Ors; he dedicated his life to earning them. He worked hard; it paid off.
But…
Not only does it take years and years of hard (and often invisible) work to become truly successful at anything, you also have to give up one hell of a lot to become the best of the very best - whether you're naturally talented or not.
Many of us aren't prepared for the sacrifice it takes to get there, which is why so few of us win medals and so many of us hide behind phrases like 'naturally talented'. They may very well be, but they also spent three hours a day practising instead of rewatching Gossip Girl and obsessively painting their nails (guilty as charged).
While we're not all aiming for Ronaldo-level heights, it's important to remember that if you want to be successful at something, you pretty much can be. But only if you're motivated and dedicated enough to work your ass off for it (and maybe have a lil sprinkling of natural talent too). If you do, you'll win - if you don't, you won't.
