virgin islands scene

A man can be destroyed but not defeated.
-- Ernest Hemingway
 

 

Tuesday, January 21, 2003

Success or failure

Success is what happens when you set out to make the world a better place, and when you keep going long enough to bring it about. Failure is what happens when you’re convinced that the whole world is against you, and you persist in making that belief into a reality.

Success is what happens when you look for ways to create new value, and then enthusiastically follow those possibilities. Failure is what happens when you think the world owes you something and you expect to live off the value created by others.

Success is what happens when you open your mind to new ideas while keeping yourself grounded by proven virtues. Failure is what happens when you think you know it all and when you consider civilized behavior a waste of time.

Success is what happens when you find a way to take positive, effective action, no matter what obstacles may stand in your way. Failure is what happens when you become better at making excuses than at getting results.

Success is the consequence of certain specific thoughts, attitudes and efforts, and failure results from other thoughts, attitudes and efforts. Every moment is leading you to some very real, very specific results. And every moment, with the thoughts, attitudes and actions you choose, you can determine just what those results will be -- success or failure.

— Ralph Marston

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Copyright ©2003 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.