I’ve been thinking today of a small business owner I know who, by
almost any standard of measure, would be considered successful.  He
knows little about marketing, advertising, finance and most of the
other disciplines you would associate with being successful in
business.  What he is, is a good, honest, likable person who is an
incredibly hard worker.  He’s works from “dark to dark,” as the saying
goes.  No job (no task) is too hard or too menial.  He just gets it
done (and done right, first time, every time.)  For those reasons he
has succeeded where others have failed.

On the other hand, I know brilliant marketers, administrators,
finance people, etc. who have not reached the level of success of my
unschooled, (and, seemingly) untalented friend.  They are outstanding
at what they do, they just don’t do very much of it!  We’ve all heard
the phrase work smarter, not harder.  I believe that to be true.  But I
also believe it pre-supposes you’re going to work at least hard enough
to get done what needs doing.

Of course the most successful people are those who are schooled,
talented, and hard working.  You need a generous measure of both to
reach your full potential.  If you’re talented but don’t work as hard
as you should, spend more time doing those things that will develop
your self-discipline.  Force yourself to work harder (doing the right
things, of course) and you’ll see an increase in your level of
success.  If, on the other hand, you’re a hard worker without much
formal training, or someone who hasn’t yet fully developed your
talents, dedicate yourself to spending more time in those pursuits. 
That will pay bigger dividends in your life than anything else you
could do right now.

So which is more important, talent and education or hard work? 
Given the choice, I’d hire the hard worker.  I can teach him the things
he needs to know to be more successful.  Most hard workers are eager to
learn.  On the other hand, most people who don’t work hard enough don’t
want to.  Getting them “rehabilitated” is a much more lengthy and
frustrating process.  Of course, given enough time and resources, I’m
going to hire someone who’s both hard working and educated / talented. 
What do you think?