PRESS ON

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.

- Anonymous 14th Century

I was given this quote earlier this week by one of our Big Tree Fitness members. Thank you.

You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don't know how to use it or choose to waste it, what good is it? You can go to the finest schools and learn as much as possible. What good is it if you have know idea how to use it in the real world? I have seen both of these issues take place many times throughout my life. Some of these people have been some of my closest friends and even family members.

I have also seen throughout my life many people and role models who never spent a day in college or where one of the last to be picked on the team. Some of them have gone on to do great things with their lives. How did this happen? The one thing that they had were the others did not was an internal drive to find more than their god given abilities. They pushed themselves and willed themselves to cross the finish line. They gained real life experiences through their hard work and tenacity.

I have great respect for this type person. Why? Because that person was me too. I tried, but failed miserably at college. I was not the most talented guy in the neighborhood. I had to work harder at everything. Eventually I realized that if I wanted to make a difference in my life and for others around me, I was going to have to rely on this ability I had with in myself. Because of this determination and the fact that my mom raised a fiercely independent person who hates to follow other people's rules. I have been able to do and experience things I never thought possible because of this attitude and desire.

This ability of persistence and determination is in all of us, but it requires the desire to cultivate it. You must be willing to look past your natural abilities and work harder at expanding these abilities to new levels. The most powerful force on earth is the human soul on fire. You must put your ego aside and realize there is more to you than just your talent or your education.