Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.
—Tim Notke
I think I got used to rejection in my career field because I experienced so much of it early on. It took me twenty-seven interviews to land my first job in television broadcasting! I had the same experience playing high school basketball. We practiced, we lost, we practiced some more. I think if you’re used to losing or being rejected, you’ll make it, because hard work feels like a normal part of the process. People who bust their hump succeed because they never consider quitting; it’s not an option. On the other hand, if someone’s always been “the best” at something and then criticism comes their way, it may be so jarring—so unexpected—that they give up. Here’s the message: People drop out, people! Don’t quit, even when it’s hard. Your slot’s about to open up.