Talent and Education Are Not  The Same

What do Halle Barry, Mary Kay Ashe, Michael Dell, Bill Gates, Andrew Jackson, Rachel Ray,  John D. Rockefeller Sr., Steven Spielberg, Mark Zuckerberg, and Henry Ford, have in common?  You guessed it, no college degree.   That just proves that if you have the passion and talent, the lack of a formal education should not stop you from reaching your dreams.  All but one on the list are at least a millionaire and half were billionaires.

If you have the talent, you can go on to be a famous actress, build a cosmetics company empire, or start a computer company at age 19.  You can also become one of the most influential people of your time, the richest man in the world or in history, a talk show host, a movie producer and director, or create a social media phenomenon that would change how we communicate, or even revolutionize the auto industry.

Let Your Talent Guide You

No one would argue that all of the above mentioned non-degreed people are successful.  But none of them allowed the lack of a college degree stop them from reaching their dreams.  They had a passion and a drive and they went after it with all that they had.  Many even had additional obstacles to overcome beyond education.  Mary Kay Ashe didn’t let the lack of money stop her from starting Mary Kay Cosmetics.  Michael Dell didn’t allow the lack of proper facilities stop him and started Dell computers in his college dorm room.

The important thing is that their talent or dream empowered them to succeed.  What is your talent?  My friend and past mentor, Dr. Percy Thomas inspires his students with these words, “Keep your focus on your strengths and not your weaknesses. Life is too short to spend your time on acquiring talents that God has not gifted to you.” But, the talents you are gifted with, give them your all and watch magic happen!  And finally, the Buddha says: “Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it.”  (Continue to part 2 of this article)

I’m Barbara Talley, the poet who speaks and inspires.  To find out more about me check out: What Does Barbara Do? or visit  my website.