Talent Can Only Take You So Far: 5 Things You Can Do That Don't Require Talent That Will 10x Your Career

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Too many people are caught up in the idea of talent.

When I was a toddler, I fell off of a balcony, resulting in me being in a coma and my family being told it was time to take me off life support.

I came out of my coma, but faced a long, uphill battle with many people doubting if I could ever walk, let alone play sports. Years later, I ended up being able to run and play sports, things that other young teenagers do without thinking about.

Any natural talent I had at doing that was taken from me, and I had to work much harder to do things as simple as walking and running.

The same is true in a professional environment. Natural talent is great, but it does not mean you will have job or career security.

Here are 5 things you can do today that can improve your career aspirations for the better that do not require talent.

Be on time

Being on time shows you care about others as well as your own schedule. Being on time is simple, easy to do and makes a huge difference in your relationships with your fellow colleagues, your bosses and your customers.

Have a strong work ethic

Persistence is key. Having a strong work ethic and being persistent will go much further than innate, natural talent, everyday. This doesn’t mean overworking yourself, but it does mean that you show up everyday ready to do work that leaves you feeling satisfied with the work you accomplished that day.

Be respectful

Be respectful to everyone you meet, including yourself. For one, this is a great way to maintain connections and establish a solid network of friends, colleagues and acquaintances. For another, treating yourself with respect by honoring your time, mental and physical health and your goals will take you far, both personally and professionally.

Go the extra mile

Don’t be afraid to set goals for yourself that push you to achieve greater things. It is all too easy to be trapped in the daily routine. Go the extra mile and set goals for yourself that extend beyond your daily tasks.

Be coachable

There’s always more to learn. Being coachable shows you have a willingness to learn new things and that you have the ability to think about other perspectives. Being coachable largely shows your ability to grow, crucial for long-term success.