I have always been fascinated by how some people rise to the top of their profession or endeavor … and others do not.

In certain activities – e.g., business, sports and entertainment – the word “talent” often comes up. An explanation for success almost always uses the word “talent.”

“That Roger Federer is amazingly talented.”

“I love Chris Rock … what a talent.”

“President Obama is a naturally talented speaker.”

The premise when we use the word “talent,” is that there is some kind of natural, genetically-coded ability or aptitude.

As one who has studied this topic for twenty-five years, my conclusion is that the story of people who rise to the top is far less about a God-given gift and much more about a fire in the belly.

The story of great achievers is most often about a person who for some reason or another, became unbelievably determined to excel and, was willing to put in enormous hours, effort and persistence to achieve his or her goals.

In future e-letters I intend to summarize what I have learned from two recently published, excellent books on the subject of talent: Talent is Overrated, by Geoff Colvin and The Talent Code, by Daniel Coyne.

For today the message is this:

There are few, if any, natural talents – excellence is made not born. Success stories are about people who committed themselves with amazing intensity and focus to their goals. The good news is that achievement is available to all who want it badly enough. We can’t all be President, of course, or win Wimbledon, but for most of us the level of success we can attain is much less about our Genetic coding and much more about our heart and will.

“Many studies of accomplished individuals have tried to figure out the key elements of their achievements … over and over, the researchers found few signs of precocious achievement before the individuals started intensive training … most of the people who became extremely good in their field did not show early evidence of gifts.”

Talent is Overrated, Geoff Colvin

Jim Randel is the founder of The Skinny On book series. His new book, The Skinny on Achievement, will be available on August 1st.