“If I’m going to be in this industry, I’m going to want to be the best at it. And yet I couldn’t guarantee is that I was going to be the most talented in this business. But one thing I could guarantee is that I was going to work harder than anyone else.” -David Droga, Founder of droga5 Agency
Creative talent has always been a wispy thing, although you may know exactly where you fit in along the ‘talented’ spectrum. If you’ve got “it”, then–of course–enjoy sleeping in and waiving your magic wand. Seriously. I’m jealous as hell.
If, on the other hand, you’re like the rest of us and unsure if your talent alone is enough, don’t bet on it. My suggestion is to work your ass off. That way, whatever talent you’ve got under the hood will be amplified and you’ll at least have a well-earned chance at success. Hard work is where the rubber meets the road.
The video snipit from where I snatched the above quote, plus a couple of other tasty streaming bits from Droga and friends over at Black Bag, Diary of a Creative Director.
It is proven over and over again… good work gets noticed, consistent good work is noticed quicker, and consistent good work in conjunction with passion and hard work is unavoidable.
Another outstanding post! Thanks for the motivator!
"Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration!" –Albert Einstein
just what I needed to hear.
Great link! Thank you Chase.
Droga literally means Drugs in Slovenian. Well, it's a living…
What I tell my husaband, what he tells me every day! Here is to trying hard, failing, trying double hard and rising like a phoenix!!!!
Is talent all it takes?
Get serious. Get to work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mASnNHqkKbM
This Nike football clip goes hand in hand with your post.
Thanks for this, I did consider myself a hard worker but you've helped me realize a could do a whole lot more!
Thanks a bunch
Brian Carey
That's pretty much the underlying thread of "Outliers: The Story of Success" by Malcolm Gladwell. The best don't become the best at anything by sheer talent. It's always preceded by hard work, passion and a little luck.
Thanks Chase – Just what after I need after a bit of a drubbing at the weekend!
Cheers
James
I agree 100%. I would just like to add one thing. Indeed you must work hard, harder than you ever imagined. I do believe that you also need to work "smart." Hard work for years, doing the wrong thing may hinder your success.
A body builder example comes to mind. You know those guys that work out super hard everyday, but all they do is bicep curls. Their arms are huge, but they look like freaks in my opinion. Sure, they can rip a telephone book in half, but honestly, who uses a telephone book anymore. Success comes to people who do the things other people aren't willing to do.
Work Hard and Work Smart.
Solid advice. In his book The Adventures of Johnny Bunko,Dan Pink urges folks that "persistence trumps talent" as well:
http://www.johnnybunko.com/
Thanks Chase. This just the kick in the a$$ I needed.
Saw a t-shirt this weekend that said, "Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard."
Chase!
You're the man! Thanks! I seriously needed to hear this. It's amazing how sometimes (and most times actually) the most successful photogs are not necessarily the best ones. Thanks for the inspiration!
Most excellent. Jon Maxwell has a book called talent is never enough. You are right on my friend!
So true! Thanks for reminding me that I'm doing all of this for a reason!
Talent and creativity are words that I've thought of for a while. I believe there are many forms of both other than what we might consider to be the traditional ones.
Being a techie – I've always looked at the usual artist talent/creativity with awe (especially the photographer artists) and at times have felt it's something I can never attain. But over the years I've come to realise that those things can be found in many forms – be it computer code (my day job is in IT), use of lights, camera settings, etc.
So in a way – the ability to apply oneself (i.e. work hard) can also be seen as a talent.
Wow, good timing! Just finish reading "Crush It" by Gary V. The big message in his book is to get ready as hard as you have work before BUT doing what you love! But we all think of the American Dream or the Silicon Instant Millionaire myth! As someone said before, do what you love and love what you do.
Great post Chase and so true!
Cheers,
GT
wow you nailed it again chase , the way you took an eloquent quote that said all that needed saying and then elaborated on it .
You truly are one of the greats .
god bless you .
rick.
Opps, miss a few things while writing on my Iphone: "get ready as hard as you have work before BUT…"
Should be saying, get ready to work as hard as you…
now that makes more sense! I think!
Cheers,
GT
Hey Chase,
Thanks for the reminder. The timing couldn't have been more perfect!
Rob
Even innate talent doesn't stand alone, it takes skill to develop craftsmanship, artisanship and finally mastery with the willing instruction of our mentors and mindful criticism of our peers.
What advice might you have for entry level photographers, who have just graduated college for photography, with little experience in "commercial" jobs? I can work as hard as I want, but nobody in this city will pay full rates, leaving myself working for next to nothing, unable to pay my bills, let alone a meal.
I can work as hard as I want, but they will always hire the photographer offering the cheapest rates, who has a better camera, set to "auto" with no skill.
Is it just the city I am in?
Very confused on what my next action should be, as I have students debts to pay off.
Actually David is very modest in his self evaluation. He is one of the most talented people to hit advertising industry for years…
Talent is like a building foundation: the more you have – the higher you can go… if you work hard. That's where "hard work" comes into play – it helps you get the maximum out of your available potential.
You can never, ever compensate for lack of talent just by "hard work". Yes, hard work is important, very important – it could make or brake a business but to be on the top – you need talent, you need it bad and you need a lots of it.
And keep in mind, that most times when we hear catchy quotes about talent/hard work relation – we hear it from people who are gifted far beyond ordinary.
By saying all that – i don't promote laziness+talent combination – it wouldn't work either. Just don't believe all these 99%/1% quotes – it's always 50%/50%.
Any talent will be wasted without the hard graft to back it up. But I argue the only real reason this advice is true is because the creative industry as a whole can't really recognize talent.
No matter how crap you are if you get your work seen there will always be people willing to invest in you.
I read blogs like this all the time. Giving advice and support for people who probably shouldn't be in the creative field at all. What about some advice for people with astonishing talent? I'd say being genuinely talented is no longer an advantage or of any real value. These people will just get drowned out by the mediocrity of the majority.
I'd like to see talent championed in blogs such as this. Why not nurture the best?
Thank you, for this blog post !
Hey Chase,
Check out this video from Alexx Henry – the future of photography w/ the new iPad?
http://vimeo.com/10204353
Interested?
- Blake
@ link: "they will always hire the photographer offering the cheapest rates, who has a better camera, set to "auto" with no skill."
might seem like that sometime, but i don't agree… In fact, I'm living proof, as are countless others…
@ link: "they will always hire the photographer offering the cheapest rates, who has a better camera, set to "auto" with no skill."
might seem like that sometime, but i don't agree… In fact, I'm living proof, as are countless others…
Polly said:
"No matter how crap you are if you get your work seen there will always be people willing to invest in you."
This is simply not true at the higher levels. Design, Photography is as cut throat as any industry i've ever seen once you get some good, higher end clients. This is good for those who can deliver consistently good results on time and on budget, which also includes being willing to put in the time required.
Those who can't deliver product that is on par with industry standard get spit out and usually don't get a second chance. I've seen it happen time and time again.
Oh so true, and "The harder I work the luckier I get" is a quote that constantly bands around my head.
Cheers for a great post Chase,
All the best to you,
Glyn
Reminds of a Gary Vaynerchuk quote:
"Someone with less passion and talent and poorer content can totally beat you if they're willing to work longer and harder than you are."
This is what I tell all the young photographers that contact me for advice on how to make it in this business. "work your ass off" So simple yet so hard.
it's kinda nice knowing that you're also sharing the same sentiments, even though you're way up there on my list of inspirational people.
thanks for sharing this info chase! PS i still flip through my Best Camera book and sooo very much appreciate the message you wrote on it for me. thanks again. 
An interesting/related link.
Can be relevant to both working hard but also photography skills.
Deliberate Practice with intent to fail
Great post.
We all need that kind of reminder now and then.
I am actually in David's industry and he had always been my hero/bench mark. So good to hear that someone so talented has that sort of attitude.
BO
Creative Techs just keeps getting better and better! This is a GREAT addition!
Creative Techs just keeps getting better and better! This is a GREAT addition!
This is GREAT news! Creative Techs just gets better and better!
I found your blog today, so I’m going a bit nuts! This is a pretty inspiring quote. It’s quotes like this that pop in my head when I’m sitting around thinking about what to do next with my camera in my hand. Keep working, keep perfecting, and all that hard work will pay off!
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