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Dec
20

More Important than Talent, Training, Intellect, and Good Looks…

By David Cutler

3 Comments

You gotta have talent. Great training can help.  Brains and vision are crucial. And do add some sizzle to the steak… 

 …But that’s not enough. These elements, alone, rarely work.  In fact, you’re missing the most important ingredient.

 P E R S I S T E N C E

We often give up far too easily, even when a potential winner is within our grasp.  We don’t practice enough.  We move on after 2 or 3 e-mails go unanswered.  We change career directions when immediate results aren’t evident.    

But success requires time, follow-through, and commitment.  If you’re not in it for the long haul, don’t expect miracles.    

 “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people 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. The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”

      -  Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States

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  • http://friendfeed.com/ikantoo Ignatius Kantoo

    How true, but much easier said then done. You read a lot about every aspect of the start up experience, but I’d have to see there is not much out there that deals with how to maintain persistence.

    How do you scrape yourself off the ground, after a deal breaks your back, your heart, your determination.

    Or is this something that I’ve ignored and just not looked for help? Have you ever come across any good resources to toughen up, restore, sustain persistence?

    BTW: I just love what ETA is doing. Ahh if I was only 20 years younger, single and childless, I’d move to Chicago and give it a go. Any thoughts on how to spread this concept to other cities? Oh one more thing, you might want to update your Facebook pages, the Oct deadline has come and gone.

  • http://www.berkshireartkitchen.com Gabrielle Senza

    Persistence is the key for sure.
    Thanks for posting!

    A message to Ignatius –
    It’s never too late to follow your dream – and you can do it regardless of your circumstances. I am a financially strapped, single mother who has made time to paint, exhibit nationally (and internationally), start 2 non-profits – one of which is an alternative art space for art, music, readings and film (in my home); the other is a nationwide anti-violence empowerment program.

    Don’t take the critics, bumps, and failures personally. Did you learn to ride a bike on the first try?

    Success is about never giving up on your dream. You are strong enough to make it happen – you have to believe that! If you don’t just check out the videos below.

    As Nick Vujicic, the armless and legless Australian motivational speaker says: “If I fall, it should be impossible for me to get up without arms of legs. I may try 100 times, and I may fail 100 times, but if I give up, I’m going nowhere. So I try and I try again until I get myself up like this. . .”

    Without dedication and perseverance, you’ll never arrive – yet anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

    Check out these 2 vid’s for inspiration –
    Pick yourself back up:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQPmY4nIjVE

    Follow your dream:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTX7cWGjbu8

  • http://friendfeed.com/ikantoo Ignatius Kantoo

    Thanks Gabrielle,

    Yeah I’ve seen a couple of Nick’s videos. I really appreciate your words of encouragement. I’ll be sure and watch the videos.

    One of my biggest obstacles is my impatience. Don’t get me wrong, I’m working on my dreams. This year has been a real breakthrough, but I’ve still got a long way to go.

    Congratulations on your achievements. Like I said, I really like what ETA is doing and will be following along closely.

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