A quote and a question is a simple approach to thinking more deeply about the thoughts, ideas, and advice from authors, historical figures, and leaders.
Quote: “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” – President Calvin Coolidge
Question: Raw talent, brilliance, or even a stellar education, while valuable, are not guarantees of success. Many talented, intelligent, or educated people fail to achieve their goals because they lack the perseverance to keep going in the face of challenges. Coolidge champions persistence as the ultimate key to overcoming obstacles and achieving greatness, emphasizing its importance above other attributes.
Are you setting clear, incremental goals and working steadily toward them, celebrating small victories along the way? When faced with failure, do you reflect on what went wrong, adjust your approach, and try again with renewed focus? Have you identified what motivates you so that you can remind yourself of that purpose when the “road gets tough”?