“Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill
My sons are continuing to refine their downhill skiing skills this winter, and I am thrilled to see them coming face to face with the a temptation that stops many in their tracks: giving up when the going gets tough. Skiing presents ample opportunities for quitting; it is physically demanding, requires a ton of concentration and is usually performed in the bone chilling cold.
This formidable trifecta prevents many from ever venturing out, but those who do are rewarded with an exhausting, exhilarating and exquisite experience. There are various “pinch” points in the process of learning this great sport, including a great many falls, an unforgiving sense of awkwardness and snow in unfortunate places (which, incidentally, all tend to happen at the same time), but push through those, find a way to tap into the enthusiasm that got you out there in the first place and success is inevitable.
Sounds like a super fun learning experience!!
So very true in most every worthwhile endeavor. It is easy on the front side to give up but those who persist usually find great joy and sense of accomplishment after resisting the temptation to give up. The example with your boys and skiing is an excellent example as are those who are successful in sales and in business. That is why ultimately there is no real competition to success because most simply aren’t persistent enough to go all the way.