For years coaches have focused on talent being the most important component in an athlete, but is that really true?

Can someone who works hard overcome another athlete with natural born skill?

In my opinion, skill does not make a great athlete. If someone has skill and is not willing to work hard to get better, then they are no better than someone without skill.

NBA basketball player Kevin Durant said, “Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.”

However, the debate between hard work and skill doesn’t just concern athletes. This question can concern anyone in all areas of life where people want to improve. Actor Will Smith is also a believer in hard work.

“I’ve never thought of myself as extremely talented, but I make up for it with my great work ethic,” Smith said.

There are thousands of examples around world of hard work beating natural talent. Michael Jordan is one of them.

He was cut from his high school basketball team in 1978. He worked hard over the years to improve himself and by 1984 he was a member of the Chicago Bulls NBA team. This is proof that a good work ethic can take you  where you want to go in life.

One definition of a skill is a learned ability. If someone isn’t born with natural talent, then they can make up for it with their good work ethic. Studies show that most people with natural talent do not apply the work needed for that skill to improve their career or lives.

Even if some has natural born skill, it is very unlikely that the skill is enough to make you great at what you participate in. Olympic athletes train multiple hours every day to improve. Some even quit their jobs to dedicate themselves to what they love.

Whether someone wants to improve in sports, jobs or life, I believe that the most important characteristics for someone to have is determination and hard work.