Talent is defined as natural qualities or abilities.
Skill is defined as an ability that is acquired through training.
There is no question that Michael Jordan was the greatest basketball player of his era, and probably of all time. With 6 Championship Rings, 5 MVP Awards, and countless other awards and accolades he is considered by many to be the most dominating player of all times. And while he was dominating everyone who was brave enough to step foot on a court to oppose him, he amassed an enormous fortune, becoming the most endorsed athlete ever! Even now, years after his retirement he is paid $40,000,000 a year in endorsements, that is over $109,000 a day just for waking up!
Of course MJ had a certain level of 'God given talent', but he was also known as the single player in the NBA that practiced harder than any other. Not only did he practice longer than any of his other teammates, but he also would perform every single drill as with the same level of intensity as he would in game 7 of the NBA Finals. By practicing in this manner he prepared to react at 'game speed' every single time. That way when he came across a situation in an actual game he would know exactly how he was going to react, and what he would do. By pushing himself to perform at the highest possible level in practice, he taught himself to be ready to make all of those amazing plays we all watched at an incredible level. So yes, his talent allowed him to accomplish some of the acrobatic feats that he performed, but the true catalyst that unlocked all of this 'talent' was his hard work, the 'sweat equity', the practice, these are the things that develop 'skill'.
How long do you practice your craft on a daily basis? How do you practice? If you are like most supposed 'sales professionals', then you don't practice at all. No matter how talented you are (or think you are) this is a recipe for disaster. Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong, Mike Tyson, Joe Montana, or any other champion that dominated their sport all have one thing in common.......their incredible work ethic, and drive to succeed. If you want to be the best and you are not practicing, forget about it, you'll never get there.
We need to practice every day. When you do get in front of your prospects you need to know exactly what you are going to say, that way you can focus on how you are going to say it. The words should come automatically, leaving us to focus on our delivery. Where would any of the a fore mentioned athletes be if they chose not to practice, and just 'winged it'?
-Remember, hard work beats talent every time, if talent doesn't work hard!
