virgin islands scene

I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward.
-- Thomas Alva Edison
 

 

Tuesday, July 30, 1996

Effort

The heights by great men
reached and kept
Were not attained
by sudden flight,
But they,
while their companions slept,
Were toiling upward
in the night."
-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

There is opportunity everywhere. And in order to take advantage of opportunity, you must be prepared. That means “paying your dues."

Nothing is more frustrating than to see an opportunity come along, and not be in a position to benefit from it. It pays to be prepared, and that comes down to plain, hard work. It’s not usually glamorous. It’s not always exciting. It’s not always fun. It is, however, always necessary.

The Olympic athelete makes it look so effortless, but remember -- he has been practicing for years. The business professional seems to have the Midas touch, but she spent years in the field and on the road, learning every detail of her business.

Anyone can have a great idea. Without effort and action, that’s all it is -- a great idea. It’s often easy to spot an opportunity, but even the best opportunity demands preparation, effort and commitment to come to fruition.

The more you work, the luckier you will become.

— Ralph Marston

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Copyright ©1996 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. All Rights Reserved. The Daily Motivator is provided for your personal, non-commercial use only. Other than personal sharing, please do not re-distribute without permission.