People argue about this all the time. Some say if you aren’t born with natural talent, you’ll never truly be great no matter how much effort you put in. Others believe consistent hard work can eventually surpass raw talent that isn’t developed. Then there are people who think success mostly comes down to timing, opportunity, or luck.

Curious to see what everyone here thinks and what examples you’d use to defend your answer. In my line of work, a lot of luck/timing has been involved.

It really depends on what outcome you are talking about. The best possible outcome is all based on luck/timing, which can be done through being smart/talent on choosing that correct timing. Hard work will get you most anywhere as long as you are intelligent enough to use that hard work to your advantage.

Doing drugs/not doing school work and having zero idea no how to learn and then pretending like the world is out to get you is the staple of this generation.

hard work

natural talent will only get you so far

this is how the kapitals do it:
pushing the boundaries of the law

Equal mix and little luck never hurts. Im sure timing plays a part but if you are that good. Then should be big deal.

Timing and opportunity are key, but having the talent and ability to seize that opportunity is another piece, and the hard work/dedication to make the opportunity a reality.

When this insurance agency came up for sale that was the opportunity, but if I didnt have the cash for the down payment, the connections to other investors to make up the difference, the knowledge to put together a proposal to present to the bank to secure the last financing, the education and experience to run the agency, and then the talent to actually retain existing customers and attract new customers - it wouldnt have happened.

Its a fuckin, symphony.

Certain things theres nothing you can do without natural talent though. Like being a porn star. If you got an itty bitty weener, an innie some might say, you aint gonna make it son. Youre not gonna be on the O line in the NFL if youre 5'6 150 pounds. Knowing your strengths and orbiting where you belong matters too.

Hustle beats talent when talent don’t hustle

The wisdom

You sgood.

In my field, reputation and prior work experience are vital for progression. Many fields are like that, but mine is a real pain in the ass.