Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.
- Thomas A. Edison
Following your dream can be hard. There are many times you’ll feel like giving up, like it really wasn’t meant to be. But why did you have the dream in the first place. You only dream of those things that stir your heart, things that, deep down, you know you just have to go after. You may not know the real reason for it, but that doesn’t matter. When faced with the thought of giving up on your dream, remember that you are not alone. Many before you have faced the same dilemma.
As an inventor, Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. When a reporter asked, "How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?" Edison replied, "I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps."
With regards to the light bulb, Edison is also quoted as saying “I now know of 999 ways not to make a light bulb”.
The flying pioneers, the Wright brothers, worked for almost twenty years before the successful flight at Kitty Hawk. During those years you can be sure they faced obstacles and failures and, probably, thought of giving up.
Continuing on in the face of obstacles and adversity may not be easy, but if you can imagine your success, you can achieve it. Believing that you will succeed and keeping your mind open for new paths toward your success is important, but so is just keeping going.
The old proverb, "Fall down seven times, stand up eight", is the true key to success.
No matter what’s in front of you now, keep after your dream. That is the road to success.
Wright brothers picture Copyright: Patrick Guenette