virgin islands scene

Beware of little expenses. Small leaks will sink great ships.
-- Benjamin Franklin
 

 

Friday, September 10, 1999

Sustained effort

Are you hooked on fast efforts -- those tasks which you can complete quickly and cleanly, that reward you with the satisfaction of immediate results? Fast efforts have their place. They can get you going in a hurry, or provide a needed change of pace. It’s certainly true that doing something is better than doing nothing. Yet there’s a need for more sustained, complex efforts as well.

Take care that you don’t make the fast, easily-completed efforts your only efforts. Make sure you give plenty of time and attention to the longer-term, more complex and demanding projects as well. They have the power to ultimately make the most difference in your life.

Instant gratification brings mostly fleeting results. Enduring results demand extended efforts. You can make a powerful positive difference or you can make a quick positive difference, though rarely can you do both at the same time. Keep your efforts in balance. Let your enjoyment of the quick results give you the strength to also tackle even the most arduous challenges.

— Ralph Marston

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Copyright ©1999 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.