talent is Never Enough ch 5 by John Maxwell

Chapter 5:  Talent is Never Enough by John Maxwell

            Did you know that Thomas Jefferson chose Meriwether Lewis to lead

the expedition of the American west when he was only 18 years of age?  When

asked why he didn't choose a credentialed scientist, he said it was

impossible to find a person possessing a "complete science in botany,

natural history, mineralogy and astronomy" who could add to it "the firmness

of constitution & character, prudent, habits adapted to the woods, & a

familiarity with the Indian manners & character, requisite for this

undertaking.  All the latter qualifications Capt. Lewis has."  Lewis had

taken charge of a two-thousand acre plantation after his father's death

while a teenager. In the middle of the night he was known to go hunting on

his own-at the age of eight. He possessed undaunted courage, self

discipline, and steadiness of purpose. These were the skills and character

that Jefferson knew could not be taught but only conceived through natural

gifts and forged character.  The sciences could be taught and through formal

training and personal tutoring by Jefferson himself for two years, Lewis was

prepared for the expedition. Jefferson knew that formal preparation

paled in comparison to the preparation of the man.  The life of Meriwether

Lewis shows a truth about preparation: spectacular achievement comes from

preparation of both man and talent.  Talent minus preparation often lead to

disaster.

            In my new book, Worth It All—Values Re-Clarification for the 21^st Century: A Blueprint for Parenting—Where to go and how to get there,  I will address the rest of the story concerning Meriwether Lewis and how is life ended in suicide.

 

            Though talent may be a gift, success must be earned.  Proverbs 18:16

states, "A man's gift makes room for him."   Your cultivated God-given

talents opens the door for opportunity, but your preparation makes your

opportunities into successes.  General Douglas MacArthur said, "Preparedness

is the key to success and victory".and "the more you sweat in peace the less

you bleed in war."  Andrew Hamilton, a Founding Father of the US and fist

secretary of the Treasury, said, "Man gives me credit for genius; but all

the genius I have lies in this: When I have a subject on hand I study it

profoundly."  John Maxwell goes on to say, "Hamilton was a disciplined and

highly productive man. He understood that no matter you circumstances,

resources, or natural talent, certain things were always within your

control-your ability to work harder and smarter than anybody else."

            John Wooden says that the best way to improve your team is to

improve yourself.  There is an old saying, "You can claim to be surprised

once; after than you are unprepared."

            Minister Benjamin Disraeli of England remarked, "The secret of

success in life is for a man to be ready for his time when it comes." 

            John F. Kennedy said, "The time to repair the roof is when the sun

is shining."

"If you are preparing today, you will not be repairing tomorrow."

            Abraham Lincoln said, "If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I'd

spend six sharpening my ax."

            Joe Namath, hall-of-fame and star quarterback for the NY Jets, said,

"What I do is prepare myself until I know I can do what I have to do."

            In the next chapter we will look at "Practice." 

To purchase this book, click here: Talent is Never Enough by John Maxwell