Experts say that what really predicts success is the persistence and passion you put into achieving your long-term goals.
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Angela Duckworth, a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania and author of the book “Grit: Perseverance and Passion for Long-Term Goals”, explains how success is not measured by IQ or talent alone, but by passion and perseverance devoted to achieving long-term goals. “Talent counts, but effort counts twice”Duckworth said on The Mel Robbins Podcast.
The idea that hard work and perseverance trumps talent is also supported by famous athletes and artists. Tim Tebow, former quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner, says, as quoted by Fortune: “Hard work can beat talent when talent doesn't work as hard.” Even Cristiano Ronaldo stated that “Talent without work is nothing”and Stephen King, the famous author, believed that “Talent is cheaper than table salt. Hard work makes the difference.”
Research and practical examples reveal how real success is built day by day through sustained effort, discipline and commitment to long-term goals.
“Perseverance, that combination of constant effort and passion for long-term goals, is the ability to keep going even when progress is slow, when obstacles, boredom, monotony, or failure arise. Studies show that persistence is a better predictor of success than IQ or innate talent. It is effort that turns skills into skills and skills into achievements.” explains for “Adevărul”, Gabriela Răileanu, clinical psychologist and Adlerian psychotherapist.
In his view, talent provides a good start but does not guarantee progress. “Research shows that natural abilities remain static if they are not trained, and without sustained effort they do not turn into performance. Over time, the difference between talented and persistent people becomes visible: the latter constantly advance, while the former can remain stuck in a comfort zone,” says the specialist.
According to him, unused talent can even become a source of frustration and self-criticism, as the person feels they “could do more” but don't see concrete results.
What happens to unused talent?
When someone feels that he has a gift, but does not express it, Gabriela Răileanu believes that there is a dissonance between the perceived potential and the lived reality. “This can lead to: feelings of regret or unfulfillment, low self-esteem, exhausting procrastination, painful social comparison (“others succeed, I don't”), creative or professional blocks. In some cases, unused talent becomes a recurring “theme” in therapy, associated with perfectionism, fear of failure or lack of self-confidence”, opines this woman.
She points out that motivation is the “fuel” of perseverance. And, that there are two types of motivation. On the one hand we talk about extrinsic motivation (based on rewards, validation, results), on the other hand about intrinsic motivation (based on meaning, pleasure, curiosity or personal values).
“Perseverance relies most on intrinsic motivation. When work is connected to something valuable for a person (meaning, identity, values) it can continue even when it's difficult,” says the psychotherapist.
Moreover, extrinsic motivation can trigger the beginning, but it does not sustain the long journey.
In adults, says Gabriela Răileanu, perseverance develops through: clarifying values (why does this goal matter to me?), setting goals in small and realistic steps, creating a routine (consistency beats intensity), reflection on progress (diary, feedback, introspection), managing emotional blockages (fear of failure, perfectionism), practicing self-compassion after failure.
In children, she adds, perseverance is built through experience, not pressure. “Among the useful strategies here, we mention: effort-oriented praise, not talent (“You worked hard at that!”), creating an environment where mistakes are allowed and discussed, encouraging curiosity and exploration, emotional support when frustrations arise, modeling behavior by adults (children imitate the perseverance seen in the family), setting small goals, with positive feedback at every step. Children who learn to tolerate small frustrations will more easily develop resilience to big challenges.”
If perseverance is continuity in effort, and resilience is the ability to get up after falling, says the specialist. “Together, they form the psychological structure that enables a person to move forward toward their goals. Without resilience, a person gives up at the first hurdle. Without perseverance, a person gets up after falling, but does not stay on the road long enough to reach the goal.”
Perfectionism is one of the biggest enemies of perseverance, because it sabotages the beginning (“I don't start until it's perfect”), inhibits exploration and curiosity, turns the mistake into a proof of worthlessness instead of seeing it as a natural stage of learning and favors quick abandonment when the result is not flawless from the first attempt, continues Gabriela Răileanu. In reality, progress is built precisely through imperfect attempts, through adjustment, through repetition.
The reaction to failure is more important than the failure itself
Failure is inevitable. The difference is its interpretation. “A persistence-oriented person sees failure as: feedback, source of information, opportunity for adjustment, natural rhythm of learning. In therapy, transforming the relationship with failure is often a key step in developing emotional self-regulation and self-confidence”the psychotherapist believes.
So, success is not the result of a moment of brilliance, but an ongoing process. “Talent can open doors, but persistence is what gets you through them and keeps you going. Real success is built on: effort, resilience, motivation, personal meaning and continuous learning.” she completes.
