NORTHERN PLANNER

Talent is OK.

But it's hard work that makes greatness.

If you want to be stupidly amazing at anything, you have to put the hours in.

Ten thousand according to Malcomn Gladwell.

The only thing superhuman about sports stars is years of superhuman graft.

You have to earn it. There are no short cuts.

Years of toil with little reward apart from failure.

With nothing to keep you going but die-hard bloodymindedness and outrageous optimism.

That and a deep love for what you are doing, obsession even.

In other words, if want to be insanely great, talent is OK.

But what's more important is making sure you'll love what you do.

Because when need that level of  iron will, persistance, patience and sacrifice.

To overcome the years knockbacks, the self-doubt and years no reward.

It's only that love and singleminded obsession that will get you through.

Now, it might seem a little unromantic to put insane greatness down to boring graft and practise.

But what is more romantic than the notion that everyone can be great at anything they like?

Football, violinist, even planner. Talent is really the capacity for outrageous hard work.