Dogged Determination: Lessons from the life of Thomas Edison
 |
| Growing is a matter of time, once you are determined |
“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up”
Determination is one indispensable key to success.
Edison had a very high dose of it. Nothing short of this can adequately explain the secret behind his numerous achievements, in spite of the prevailing circumstances. A man of resolute determination knows no impossibility. Edison’s life bears eloquent testimony to this.
Edison had a very high dose of it. Nothing short of this can adequately explain the secret behind his numerous achievements, in spite of the prevailing circumstances. A man of resolute determination knows no impossibility. Edison’s life bears eloquent testimony to this.
Edison had many set backs in life ranging from having a poor background to lack of formal education. Yet these would not stop him from achieving his goals in life. Many instances in his life clearly show he was a man of resolute determination. Dogged determination, certainly would the right word to describe his reaction to the incidence of his great film plant that was razed down by fire. How would you describe a man who chose to not give up on an experiment that failed about a thousand times? Absolutely, he must have been resolutely determined.
Determination is coined by the Oxford dictionary as “firmness of purpose”. It has much to do with making up your mind, suggests the idea of pressing forward against all odds, says a great deal about positive mindset and being decided or decisive. It supports the concept of perseverance, persistence and progressive commitment. Determination in short is the ability not to give up, ability not to quit, ability to continue in the pursuit of our goals.
People who end up as failure in life are not necessarily lacking in skills or ability; However, the majority of them, belong to the class of those who give up too soon. The irony of it all is that, they give up often just at the point of their breakthrough. What if Edison had given up after his many unfruitful experiments? What if he had decided not to rebuild his film plant that was completely burnt? After all it was not his fault and he had every right to be discouraged too. What if he had allowed his critics to get a greater hold on him? Sure, we should not be talking or reading about him today.
You can achieve your goals by being resolutely determined. Are you saying “I have tried my best”? Yes, you have tried, but you can do better; It is also possible you haven't tried enough, so, try harder. Your dreams can become a reality, but your mind must be firmly made up about it. The project you are thinking about is not impossible, only you will have to fully give all it takes. Do you wonder why you are yet to hit your target? It is most likely because you haven't shown enough evidence of dogged determination like Thomas Edison. "When I thought I couldn't go on, I forced myself to keep going. My success is based on persistence, not luck". Estee Lauder
The principle is don't give up. Bjorn Borg's has this to say, "My greatest point is my persistence. I never give up in a match. However down I am, I fight until the last ball. My list of matches shows that I have turned a great many so-called irretrievable defeats into victories".
No doubt, you too are faced with many challenges, but, can I tell you, those challenges are simply predictable. Predictable? Oh, yes, in the sense that, nothing good comes easy; Also, in the sense that they will always come one way or the other to anyone who desire to accomplish anything good in this life. So you are not alone in the struggle. It is the experience of everyone who likes to make a difference.
The greatest achievers the world has ever known all battled with one challenge or the other, some like Edison had a catalogue of challenges to wrestled with. It is very true that the greatest of men are always faced with the greatest of challenges. The good news, however, is for those who are resolute in their determination, victory is always certain, though struggle continues.
 |
| Edison tries his first incandescent light |
Thomas Edison’s life teaches us a priceless lesson of dogged determination. We are instructed never to give up. If it is a worthwhile venture, then keep at it, refuse to quit, be resolute about it and you will soon be celebrated like Edison of old. Believe you can, and you will. If Edison could, then you sure can! God bless you.
The problems confronting you are the problems you have been assigned to solve.
“Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody”. – Henry W. Longfellow
A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence
Jim Watkins
