Victory is always possible for the person who refuses to stop fighting. – Napoleon Hill
No obstacle can stand in the way of a determined and flexible Gumby!
What does that mean?
It means as long as you are still trying, there is a possibility that you will win. What ‘victory’ means, of course, is very dependent on the person and the task, as is the definition of ‘fighting.’ In most cases, ‘victory’ means achieving a goal, and ‘fighting’ means to continue to exert effort towards the attainment of the goal.
Whether it’s housebreaking a puppy or helping a toddler learn to walk, learning to ride a bicycle or learning to speak a foreign language, if you don’t give up, eventually you’ll achieve victory.
Why is refusing to stop important?
Well, for most people, defeat begins when the effort towards success stops. Does that make sense? You are only truly defeated when you give up. As long as you continue, not to hope, but to act, you can still make things happen. Nothing is guaranteed, of course, but if you aren’t trying, you aren’t as likely to succeed.
There are aspects to moving forward besides sheer determination. No matter how determined you may be, no matter how much effort you put forth, you’re going to have a hard time seeing a sunrise if you only look to the west.
You must remember the principal of flexibility, the ability to change your approach, to change your strategy. You must know when to (quoting a song about a card sharp) “know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em, know when to walk a way, and know when to run!”
The winning strategy might not come to you in the first attempt, and you may need to try a few times before you start making progress. You need to use your intelligence and courage to revise and modify your approach. The combination of flexibility and effort will eventually lead you to victory.
Where can I apply this in my life?
In the lives of most people, there are a number of things that seem far off, or if closer, difficult to achieve. For me, learning a foreign language has never been easy. Even English (my native tongue) has been difficult. I tried Spanish, and have the materials for Japanese. What I am lacking at the moment is the effort and the time.
Effort is what I call actually doing something. Learning a language will not be simple, nor will it be quick, but effort will be required. At least a few hours a week need to be set aside and worked on a regular basis. I have yet to make the time available on a regular basis. When it becomes a sufficiently high priority, it will happen, of that I am sure.
Flexibility is being able to vary what you do until you get the proper combination to work. If you do much bowling, you know that it takes a while to get everything just right with your game. Learning the angle to throw at, learning how far over to start, learning how much spin is needed, all these things take experience. And every lane is just a little different, so flexibility is very necessary to getting strikes and high scores.
What is still on your list of things to do? Write a few down on a piece of paper. Now consider each in turn, adding what you think are the three biggest obstacles to you achieving victory in this fight. Please take a moment and work on this, I’ll wait.
Good, now select one of the list items. Look at the three biggest obstacles and determine if each one needs more effort, more flexibility, or both.
For those requiring more effort, how will you do that? Can you devote more hours per week? Can you bring in someone who might be able to provide assistance in some manner, allowing you to surmount the obstacle or blow it away?
For those which require more flexibility, how will you do that? Can you think of a couple new approaches to go over, under or through the obstacle? Can you get someone to help you puzzle out what other options you have, someone who has done something similar or who is good at solving problems?
For those which require both, come up with some ideas to do both. It may not be easy, but it is fairly simple and straightforward, if you just keep fighting. Apply effort, remain flexible and keep at it, and eventually the obstacles to victory will fall away.
From: Twitter, @DavidRoads
confirmed at : http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/n/napoleonhi384051.html
Photo by Looking Glass
