Can you find one?
Sometimes, you win a race, because you are the only one who won’t quit. (Does The Tortoise and the Hare ring any bells?) Sheer dogged persistence can get you there, and the further you slog along, the less competition remains.
On the other hand, there is that famous Einstein quote in which insanity is defined as “doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results.”
The tip for the day is keep going, but keep evaluating. Always ask yourself can you find another way?
If someone in your life is not giving you what you need, can you find another way to ask for it?
If you aren’t achieving your objective, can you find another way to go about pursuing it?
If I’m writing a computer program and it doesn’t work, I have to find another way or give up on whatever achievement it’s designed to accomplish.
Inevitably, there are times when I just don’t know enough. My latest javascript project comes to mind. I would really like to give it up. Just quit. But, I remember what Thomas Edison said while searching for the proper material to make a filament for a light bulb: I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.
When the 10,000th way doesn’t work, it is really easy to become discouraged and frustrated. It’s very easy to fear another 10,000 unsuccessful attempts. But, Edison also said, Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.
Thomas Edison is the fourth most prolific inventor in recorded history. And, yes, he is famous for never giving up. It may be more important, however, to realize that he didn’t just keep trying the same thing over and over. He tried different things.
So, yes, of course, keep going—and as you’re going, remember to ask yourself—Could there another way?
