You can only use your talent/natural ability without hardwork until external factors don’t kick in. (bad weather, ill head, relationship issues, mood dysregulation).
Once this happens, You fall to the level of your preparation.
When i have two options
One good but tough
One okay but easy
When i am about to choose good but tough, there is only one or two more complexity/moment of fear needed for me to change my decision.
I think many people fall for this, and it only makes life difficult in the long run
You need to realize that there is almost no competition right now. More and more people are drawn to escapism. Dopamine traps such as TikTok and Reels have effectively fried about 70% of humans. Attention spans decrease, ambitions drown. You have no competition. In a few years from now, you will be able to see a clear elite.
"In a long career, I've (almost) never seen anyone get rich while employed (via bonuses/stock options, as w/bankers, CEOs, & rich slaves), & subsequently also make money on their own, in self employment. If you can't make it on your own, it's #rentseeking." - @nntaleb