Talent helps a great deal when it comes to being able to excel at something.
Desire and determination are also critical factors to success, but perhaps equally important is the preparation that goes into being the best you can be at whatever it is you are competing in.
Recently, University of Utah football coach, Kyle Whittingham gave much of the credit for the past successes of his team to the tremendous amount of preparation that they put forth.
He stressed that there was nothing magical or secretive about their success, but rather it came about mainly because of plain old hard work.
This is true whether one is involved with football, basketball, tennis, cycling or whatever the sport may be.
In order to achieve at the highest possible level it is important to put forth enough effort to realize your goal and most of the time that equates to a lot of time and a lot of work.
Unfortunately not everyone is born with the same amount of talent and ability.
While some may excel at sports, others may dominate when it comes to business or art.
It obviously helps if the things you are good at and the areas of your natural tendencies and abilities are also in the areas you most enjoy.
That does not always happen but it does not mean that you cannot still pursue the things you most like, in fact that is exactly what you should do.
Passion and desire will carry you a long way towards your goals especially if they are accompanied by a great deal of preparation.