"Perseverance is the difference between good and great..."The American work ethic is based on the idea that hard work is rewarded. Do you believe this to be true, or do you think that there are other mitigating factors to take into consideration when it comes to success? Is all that hard work really worth it?
For example, take the classic children's book, The Little Engine That Could. In print for more than 100 years and still selling 10 million copies annually in English alone, this story is a metaphor for Americas can-do attitude. While larger locomotives insisted they couldn't get over the mountain, the smaller locomotive chugged along, all the while saying, "I think I can, I think I can." Even when faced with overwhelming odds, the little train persevered, finally getting to the other side of the mountain.
How about you? Has perseverance ever paid off for you?
12 comments:
I like your comparison to the Little Engine that Could. I really do believe that having a can-do attitude and working hard for something, can get you what you are working towards, and help you achieve anything. A big factor that contributes to this though is self-confidence, if the person lacks the confidence within themselves and doesn't think they can do it (such as the bigger trains) they will have a harder time, or will never reach the positive end result desired. If that made any sense lol. Great Post! stopping by from a-z
I think perseverance generally pays off...at least for me. Sometimes, though, what we are trying for just isn't right so we need to know when to back off. We can persevere ourselves into a really bad situation if we're not careful. So perseverance combined with common sense is a great tool! Great post!
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I do believe in the work ethic. I do not believe it always works. Sometimes there are those on the top that want to keep and horde all the profit from the hard work of others down the line. Suppose you have to stay aware of where and who you are working for.
My favorite train story from childhood was "Sneezer".
Life & Faith in Caneyhead
Most of the time it has paid off, but there have been a couple of times where it was necessary to know when to quit.
Great points! Thank you for commenting, and clarifying when you feel it works, or doesn't.
Yes. Perseverance does pay off. But its better when you've got luck and timing on your side, too.
In my experience in the work force, I found that the harder you work the more you are taken advantage of. Now, I'm working for myself and, I think I can, I think I can. :)
Often, perseverance is at least as much about the attitude to keep going as it is action. Good reminder!
Perserverance paid off in college, to be sure. You couldn't get away with much less than hard work.
I think having goals and trying for something, challenging yourself, counts as a win and is a form of success in itself. :)
Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption
Minion, Capt. Alex's Ninja Minion Army
The 2014 Blogging from A-Z Challenge
Yes, I do. Though we do need to educate ourselves and be mindful of realistic expectations. Setting goals seems to help, small then progressively larger. One huge goal that seems almost totally unattainable is usually a recipe for failure!
Oh, we have read this book so so many times!! Our copy is in tatters. Sometimes just persevering in getting up and going to work each day is about all I can do. Some day I hope to persevere and finish that book I've been working on . . . .
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