September 15, 2025- Unfailing in our discipline

What look like differences in natural ability are often differences in opportunity and motivation. 

~Adam Grant

We tend to want to attach some innate aptitude to people who are experts and professionals. Maybe we assume that because we don’t have the current level of ability or skill, we never could. Instead of considering the work, the discipline, and the opportunity that person had, we just imagine they were born with it.

This is the key to being growth-minded. We must envision at least the possibility of greatness, in order to put in the work required to achieve greatness. Excellence is not a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Excellence is achievable through smart and sustained practice.

To be sure, natural ability is a real thing. There are people who start with advantages. There are special talents that are innate. But advantages can be squandered and deficiencies can be overcome.

We must also consider opportunity. The young athlete who was exposed to professional coaching may appear to have more natural ability. The young student who was read to consistently as a child may seem to have more academic aptitude.

Let’s not make excuses for failing to be the best version of ourselves. Let’s be unfailing in our discipline, yet unrelenting in our grace, as we grow with each day.