A very appropriate phrase is:
Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.
My DD started competitive diving when she was 7 yo. At 9 yo, she won the summer league championship meet in the 11U age group. She had significantly more natural talent than any other girl in the league. Unfortunately, she had very little work ethic, and by 11 yo she was no longer even placing in the meets. The girls she used to beat had worked very hard for two years and passed her in ability. Natural talent will only carry a person when they are very young.
My DD has been playing softball for a season now, and so far she enjoys it and has been working hard. At the Nike Softball Camp she attended, she received the "Most Improved" award. Hopefully she'll continue to work hard and improve. As others have said, though, all I can do is provide the opportunity. She has to want to practice and improve. We'll see how it plays itself out.
Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.
My DD started competitive diving when she was 7 yo. At 9 yo, she won the summer league championship meet in the 11U age group. She had significantly more natural talent than any other girl in the league. Unfortunately, she had very little work ethic, and by 11 yo she was no longer even placing in the meets. The girls she used to beat had worked very hard for two years and passed her in ability. Natural talent will only carry a person when they are very young.
My DD has been playing softball for a season now, and so far she enjoys it and has been working hard. At the Nike Softball Camp she attended, she received the "Most Improved" award. Hopefully she'll continue to work hard and improve. As others have said, though, all I can do is provide the opportunity. She has to want to practice and improve. We'll see how it plays itself out.