Talent and Potential. Two things I don't believe in.

Just the title of this post will probably shock some of you. I simply ask you hear my points before even speaking of Taufik Hidayat (If you know the 'legend'). Continue with an open mind. How many times have you heard someone tell you or another player that you have a lot of "Talent" or you have a lot of "Potential"? Probably many times. Many people tell me that I have talent and potential. I really only believe that I have dedication, passion, and dreams. Because in my eyes, every single person in this world has potential. I don't care if you are 350 pounds. If you want to play badminton bad enough, you will break through whatever walls stand in your way and stare at adversity, with the relentless will to achieve. The main question I want to ask when I hear someone talk of potential is "Who does not have potential?". Let me be very clear in stating that potential and passion are two very different things. Potential is the mythical limit that some players supposedly have, while passion is the driving force that can take you anywhere you want to be.
 Now what about talent? Well to me, that can directly translate into "Hard Work". A player does not just pick up a racquet and become world number one. Many consider talent to be the natural gift of badminton. This is not the case. I can assure you the players who have "Talent" did not just become good. Their skill is the result of hard work, dedication, or many private lessons. Basically I think if you really desire it, you can 'buy' talent in the form of years of private lessons. But if you do not have passion for badminton, the time and money put into developing this so-called "Talent" could be better spent on something you do love.
 Now, Although I have met Mr. Hidayat before and even interviewed him, I do not know if the story that he never trained much is true at all. I don't believe it is true, I choose to think that he has to work hard just like the rest of us.
 So to summarize: Everyone has potential. Everyone can develop talent. It all depends on how bad you want to achieve.