我們在體育界經常看到一種現象：一支看似更有天份的球隊輸了，有時甚至是被一個不那麼有天份的對手完全打敗。這是體育主題的戲劇或電影裡常常看到的一個情節，有點像大衛和歌利亞的故事，弱者最終勝過強中之強，只是比賽內容轉變成足球、棒球、籃球和冰上曲棍球，而非石頭、劍和長矛。

但這種現象並不是體育比賽獨有的，我們在生活的其他領域，包括商業和專業領域也可以看到同樣的現象。一位銷售人員，擁有任何人都夢寐以求的所有天賦，但我們卻看到一個沒甚麼才華，甚至經驗不足的競爭對手贏走了重要的客戶。或者一個看起來擁有全部優勢的企業，竟被一個規模較小但意志堅定的競爭對手打敗。怎麼會這樣呢？

勵志演說家和顧問提姆·凱特(Tim Kight)他可能有答案，而儘管那只是個很簡單的答案：當天份缺乏紀律時，紀律就會勝過天份。

許多人擁有著「原始材料」，例如智力、先天技能和天份、教育以及正規培訓。然而，這些往往不足以保證成功，而紀律就在這個時候扮演重要的角色。在體育界，紀律包括著長時間的練習、重量訓練、無數小時的閱讀戰術守則、觀看自己的表現以及即將面臨對手的影片，投入更多額外的努力來獲得優異的成績。

儘管紀律的工作在職場各領域中或有不同，但最後其實看起來都是一樣的：努力工作·盡可能投入更多的時間充分準備歡迎並願意接受建設性的批評。然而並不是每個人都願意做這些事情，這也就是為什麼凱特說「當天份缺乏紀律時，紀律就會勝過天份。」

紀律也是靈性成長的一個關鍵因素，為了成為上帝所希望我們各自應當成為的人—即使在職場也相同。請思考一下以下的原則：

紀律通常不會有趣。什麼時候你會看到有人在訓練馬拉松或鐵人三項比賽時，還是面帶微笑的呢？很少，因為即便是必要的，但嚴格的訓練都會很困難。「凡管教的事，當時不覺得快樂，反覺得愁苦；後來卻為那經練過的人結出平安的果子，就是義。」（希伯來書 12章11節）

紀律會為我們指明正確的方向。最有效的領導者，是那些在自己行為和工作習慣中表現出紀律的人，也為追隨他們的人樹立了強有力的積極榜樣。「謹守訓誨的，乃在生命的道上；違棄責備的，便失迷了路。」（箴言10章17節）

紀律地接受糾正可以提高績效。俗話說「三個臭皮匠勝過一個諸葛亮」，我們不會聰明過所有人的加總。有意願接受糾正的紀律，可以幫助優秀的績效變成明星的績效。「棄絕管教的，輕看自己的生命；聽從責備的，卻得智慧。」（箴言 15章32節）

© 2020. Robert J. Tamasy 是企業巔峰: 給今日職場從箴言而來永恆的智慧 一書的作者。也與導師之的作者David A. Stoddard 合著Tufting Legacies。編輯多本著作包括Mike Landry. Bob的書: 透過苦難成長。Mike Landry. Bob的網站為www.bobtamasy-readywriterink.com

備註：如果你有聖經，想要閱讀更多相關內容，請參考以下經文：
箴言 17章10節
17:10 一句責備話深入聰明人的心，強如責打愚昧人一百下。
箴言19章16節
19:16 謹守誡命的，保全生命；輕忽己路的，必致死亡。
箴言22章6節 22:6 教養孩童，使他走當行的道，就是到老他也不偏離。
箴言27章17節
27:17 鐵磨鐵，磨出刃來；朋友相感（原文是磨朋友的臉）也是如此。
箴言28章23節
28:23 責備人的，後來蒙人喜悅，多於那用舌頭諂媚人的。
提摩太前書 2章3-6節
2:3 這是好的，在　神我們救主面前可蒙悅納。
2:4 他願意萬人得救，明白真道。
2:5 因為只有一位　神，在　神和人中間，只有一位中保，乃是降世為人的基督耶穌；
2:6 他捨自己作萬人的贖價，到了時候，這事必證明出來。
希伯來書 12章4-10節
12:4 你們與罪惡相爭，還沒有抵擋到流血的地步。
12:5 你們又忘了那勸你們如同勸兒子的話，說：我兒，你不可輕看主的管教，被他責備的時候也不可灰心；
12:6 因為主所愛的，他必管教，又鞭打凡所收納的兒子。
12:7 你們所忍受的，是　神管教你們，待你們如同待兒子。焉有兒子不被父親管教的呢？
12:8 管教原是眾子所共受的。你們若不受管教，就是私子，不是兒子了。
12:9 再者，我們曾有生身的父管教我們，我們尚且敬重他，何況萬靈的父，我們豈不更當順服他得生嗎？
12:10 生身的父都是暫隨己意管教我們；惟有萬靈的父管教我們，是要我們得益處，使我們在他的聖潔上有分。

反省與問題討論

1. 你如何看待「當天份缺乏紀律時，紀律就會勝過天份。」這句話？你能想出一兩個例子證明這個說法的真實性嗎？
2. 當你想到紀律這個詞彙時，你會想到其他甚麼詞或圖像嗎？你認為紀律在今天的職場上被低估了嗎？請解釋你的答案？
3. 你認為自己在職業生活和個人生活中的紀律性如何？請解釋你的答案。
4. 文中說紀律對靈性成長很重要，你相信嗎？你認為靈性的紀律會如何影響人們履行工作的職責呢？在你看來，這是一件好事嗎？

WHEN TALENT IS NOT ENOUGH

By Robert J. Tamasy

We see it in the sports world all the time. A seemingly more talented team losing, sometimes even being totally dominated, by a less-talented opponent. This is a common theme in theatrical films about sports, sort of a retelling of the David and Goliath story, the underdog prevailing over the heavy favorite – except with footballs, baseballs, basketballs, and hockey pucks instead of stones, swords, and spears.

But this phenomenon is not unique to athletic competition. We see this in other areas of life as well, including the business and professional world. One salesperson, having all the natural abilities anyone could ask for, seeing a less-talented, even less-experienced rival win an important account. Or a business that seemed to have all the advantages being overcome by a smaller but fiercely determined competitor. How does that happen?

Motivational speaker and consultant Tim Kight might have the answer, even though it is a simple one: “Discipline beats talent, when talent lacks discipline.”

Many people possess the “raw material,” things like intelligence, innate skill and talent, education, and formal training. Often, however, those are not enough to guarantee success. That is where discipline enters the equation. In the sporting world, this includes long periods of practice, weight training, countless hours studying the playbook, watching films of one’s own performance as well as upcoming opponents, investing the extra effort needed to excel.

What discipline looks like in the marketplace depends upon the specific field of endeavor, but in the end, it always looks the same – hard work, putting in as much time as necessary, thorough preparation, and a willingness to receive and welcome constructive criticism. Not everyone is willing to do these things, and this is why, as Kight says, discipline beats talent when talent lacks discipline.

Discipline is a key ingredient for spiritual growth, for becoming the person God intends for each of us to become – even in the workplace. Consider the following:

Discipline usually is not fun. When was the last time you saw someone training for a marathon or a triathlon event who was always smiling? Rarely, because even though it is necessary, rigorous training is not without difficulty. “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11).

Discipline points us in the right direction. The most effective leaders are those who demonstrate discipline in their own conduct and work habits, setting strong, positive examples for those who follow them. “He who heeds discipline shows the way of life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray” (Proverbs 10:17).

Discipline in the form of correction improves performance. “None of us is as smart as all of us (together),” says one adage. The discipline of willingly receiving correction can help turn a good performer into a star performer. “He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding” (Proverbs 15:32).

© 2021. Robert J. Tamasy has written Marketplace Ambassadors: CBMC’s Continuing Legacy of Evangelism and Discipleship; Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace; Pursuing Life with a Shepherd’s Heart, coauthored with Ken Johnson; andThe Heart of Mentoring, coauthored with David A. Stoddard. Bob’s biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. What do you think of the statement, “Discipline beats talent, when talent lacks discipline”? Can you think of an example or two when you have seen this to be true?
2. When you think of the term discipline, what other words or images come to mind? Do you think discipline is undervalued in the marketplace today? Why or why not?
3. How disciplined do you think you are, both in your professional life and your personal life? Explain your answer.
4. It is stated that discipline is important for spiritual growth. Do you believe that? How do you think spiritual discipline would affect how someone carries out their job responsibilities – and would that be a good thing, in your view?            

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages:
Proverbs 17:10, 19:16, 22:6, 27:17, 28:23; 2 Timothy 2:3-6; Hebrews 12:4-10

相關（靈修文章）：

• 週一嗎哪
• 讀經日引
• 荒漠甘泉
• 成語靈訓
• 真理再思
• 歲首到年終

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