Talent isn't everything, it's only a start.

Mary Kay said "Those who are blessed with the most talent don't necessarily outperform everyone else. It's the people with follow-through who excel."  Sometimes we think that we must be born with "it" or else forget about it.  The truth is having the talent is only the beginning -- it is NOT a guarantee that you will be successful.

When you have a little talent...
Last night we had the privilege of watching my nieces in their annual dance recital.  They are 10 & 12 years old... but you would be so impressed with how amazing they are!  Now the younger one, Maddie, has rhythm and can move but has never really been passionate about dancing.  But, she has stuck with it over the last 4 or 5 years and finally found that Hip Hop makes her happy.  Never have I ever seen her leave it out on the table and totally get into her dance than last night especially in her hip hop piece to the song Respect.  Yes, you know the one -- how can you not get into that?!  Her true talent is in art, but she has taken her little bit of talent and maximized it by continuing to follow-through on her classes.

When you have a lot of talent...
My other niece, Shania, was born to dance!  Last night she performed for the first time on pointe - you know - those ballet shoes where you are literally on the tips of your toes?  She was the only 12 year old on pointe AND she did all that as a soloist!  When she dances she floats through the air effortlessly and gracefully.  Her dance classmates have always been 4 or 5 years older than her -- clearly she is an example of someone who was born with that talent.  However, she works hard.  She is in classes 3 or 4 days a week and is constantly practicing.  Her progress just over the last year was clearly astronomical.  You see, talent that is not worked on will never really be realized.  It's truly the follow-through that makes the biggest difference.

So, how does this relate to your business?  Some of you are talented.  Your words flow effortlessly with just a little bit of practice.  You understand how your business works and you absolutely love every part of your business.  For you, it is almost more important to work hard in order to make that same astronomical progress from year to year.  The minute you take your talent for granted, that's when you plateau and become stagnant.

Some of you feel less confident with your skills.  Things don't necessarily come so easily to you and you may have a bigger learning curve.  But you are passionate about what your business can do.  I will tell you that I personally fall in this second group.  I absolutely love working with women and making sure they know just how great they are.  But the skills of our business require my dedication and determination to be as smooth as some of the natuarlly talented.  Either way, practice & consistency is key.  Don't give up.  Keep on going. 

If you know deep down that there is something about your business that feeds your soul, you owe it to yourself and to the women in your future to keep on going.  You will figure out which part of your business you are most passionate about.

Lastly, our "Grandma" National Sales Director, Jan Harris once relayed this story.  First know that Jan's area has been #1 in our Pearl Seminar at least for as long as I have been in Mary Kay.  She typically makes $40 or 50,000 each month these days.  A woman was telling her that she ran into "Jane" who used to be in Mary Kay and knew Jan (key words "used to be").  Jane said "I know Jan, I was a much more talented consultant that she was".  The woman relaying the story to Jan was sharing it because she was appalled by Jane's comment!  Jan looked at her friend and said, I remember Jane... and she's right, she was way more talented than I ever was as a consultant.  The difference is that I stuck with it and worked it out... and she didn't. 

You don't have to be the most talented in order to be successful, you just have to be willing to NOT QUIT.  So remember...talent isn't everything, it's only a start.

Want an amazing (and true) inspirational movie relating to this very subject?  Go watch Rudy.  Whether you've seen it or not, it will truly inspire you all over again!  I know it does it for me!