Four-Part Success

"Success is the good fortune that comes from aspiration, desperation, perspiration and inspiration." - Evan Esar

I'm not personally into 'desperation' as a motive for success, but 3 out of 4 ain't bad.

How Strong is Your Soul?

"Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak." -- Thomas Carlyle

Choose Your Destiny

"Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice: It is a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved." -- William Jennings Bryan

Read Every Day

Even as president, Teddy Roosevelt routinely read one, two, or even three books a day. That's a little beyond my league (sports magazines excluded), but reading history has contributed a growing supply of stories that make for better conversation! Trends start to emerge in the personalities of great people. Why mature slowly by trying to figure out alone, day by day, those things that successful people have lived already?

Need Followers? Try This!

People tend to follow a leader whose manifest fearlessness has resulted in tangible achievements in the past.

The Most Important Virtue

Winston Churchill felt that courage is the first virtue -- one that underlies all others.

Today I was offered an opportunity for a different job. What takes more courage, to pursue the unknown or to yield potential personal reward for one's dependents?

It's Just a Flesh Wound

On October 14, 1912 Teddy Roosevelt was running for a third term as President. While traveling by train to give a speech in Milwaukee, a man shot him in the chest at point-blank range. With blood oozing from the wound, he proceeded to deliver a 90 minute speech. As the crowd cheered at its conclusion, he turned to the doctor and said "Now I am ready to go with you and do what you want." The bullet never was removed removed from his chest, remaining there for the rest of his years.

Is there anything more emotionally stirring than to see a person grit on while wounded?