Ability. Opportunity. Effort.

I talk about these three things a lot with my boys.  It is sort of a "recipe for achievement" that I've developed.  I haven't read it in any books so I believe it to be my original idea.

Here's how it goes... and I really didn't like math that well as a kid.
(Ability + Opportunity) x Effort = Achievement

Let's break it down.

Here's the definitions as found at www.dictionary.com.

Ability - competence in an activity or occupation because of one's skill, training, or other qualification

Opportunity - an appropriate or favorable time or occasion

Effort - something done by exertion or hard work

Achievement - something accomplished, especially by superior ability,special effort, great courage, etc.; a great or heroic deed.

What I try to tell my boys (and myself) is that it really doesn't matter if you have a ton of Ability and a whole bunch of Opportunity because if you multiply that by no effort than you won't achieve much in this world.  On the other hand you may not have much ability or the opportunity may not be high but if you put forth a strong effort you can accomplish a lot and possibly (likely) more than those with the Ability and the Opportunity.

Pretty deep, huh?

One way this plays out in the real world is in sports.  We have an excellent local women's basketball team and the best player on the team does not have the most ability.  She wasn't recruited that highly out of high school.  Certainly not as highly as others currently on her team. But, she was given the opportunity to play college basketball and through sheer effort she has become the best player and she is a joy to watch play.  

I would easily take five players like her and beat five players with more ability but less effort every time we played.

Thanks for reading!