Thoughts on Motivation

I’d like to kick this entry off with a quote from former U.S. President Calvin Coolidge.

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan Press On! has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”

I can’t remember where I first heard this. I imagine it was sometime either during or shortly after my university days, probably in the late 2000’s. It’s one of the few historical quotes that has really stuck with me throughout my years, and I suspect it will continue to be applicable to everyone far after I am gone from this world.

I belong to a few writing circles, as well as a couple of other groups for other personal hobbies. At 36, I generally find myself at the older end of a lot of these circles. Not to say that there aren’t people my age or even older participating, but the vast majority seem to be young men of about 20-25. Most college age, some just starting their first careers. Some of them have a better handle on their lives than others, but I’d say that the lion’s share of them have one thing in common: a deep and profound fear of adulthood, and the responsibilities found therein.

I call it a fear, because when pressed about what they are actively doing to achieve their life goals, they cannot answer. Perhaps they are doing well in school, but they lack the courage to approach girls their age and start a meaningful relationship. Some might suffer from a completely defeatist attitude, and will meet any suggestions with great hostility. Their projects have been left unfinished. Their dreams unrealized. There is an excuse for everything, of course, but that’s a topic for another day.

They wish they were more talented. They wish they were smarter. The throw tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars at universities, treating degrees like baseball cards that they can trade for money, respect, and self-worth.

The talented man could not finish his book. He never learned to push through the storms. He lacked the work ethic to complete anything worthwhile. The true genius never completed his invention. So bogged down was he in his own indecision and his doubts, he never realized as the clock ticked away, and the hourglass of his life was spent. The degree collector never contributed meaningfully to their own field. So consumed were they on amassing knowledge, they never discovered something of their own.

So, I would like to encourage all of you to embrace the omnipotence of persistence and determination. We are all as ships at sea. We cannot control the winds or the waves. We have no knowledge of what may come tomorrow. All we can do is take hold of the wheel and steer ourselves forward.

Boys, be not afraid.

-C