A young college graduate, determined to find a position with a reputable company, began seeking interviews. Although she faced continual rejection, she persevered. One busy personnel manager, flooded with applications, suggested the hopeful applicant check back in 10 years.
“No problem,” said the young woman. “Would a morning or afternoon interview work best for you?”
This young woman had what I call the three D’s: desire, determination and dedication. Desire is sometimes more important than talent. She knew what she wanted and was not going to get sidetracked. People with desire work harder, are obsessed with their goals and are driven by an intense thirst to be better. There are few shortcuts in life.
Only the truly dedicated people ever come close to attaining their goals. They won’t let anyone or anything interfere with what they truly desire. Success starts with the desire to achieve something.
“To win, you have to have the talent and desire – but desire is first,” said golfing legend Sam Snead. Along with Snead, I had the privilege of playing in the St. Paul Open tournament back when I was playing college golf for the University of Minnesota.
Gary Player, another golfing legend that played in the same tournament, said: “To succeed in life, one must have determination and must be prepared to suffer during the process.”
Desire alone is not enough. To lack desire is to lack a key ingredient to success. Many talented individuals failed because they lacked desire. Many victories have been snatched by the underdog because he or she wanted it more. So, if you desire intensely and you act upon it, then everything stands within your reach. Dedication is the key that unlocks doors to great opportunities.
I like to say that if you don’t climb the mountain, you can’t see the view.
Baseball great Willie Mays said: “In order to excel, you must be completely dedicated to your chosen sport. You must also be prepared to work hard and be willing to accept constructive criticism. Without a total 100% dedication, you won’t be able to do this.”
Katharine Hepburn always wanted to be a movie star, although the road to her dream was filled with obstacles. She was fired from several stage roles, criticized for talking too fast and having a raspy voice, considered ornery and difficult to work with, and judged to be too skinny and masculine.
Undeterred by an insulting press, she sought the help of a voice and drama coach, who tutored her through several theater roles until she received great reviews, which led to a movie contract and stardom.
Civil rights leader Vernon Jordan said people constantly advised him to lower his sights, but he said, “The more people tried to discourage me, the more determined I got.” Fortunately for determined people such as Jordan and Hepburn, discouragement spurred them on to greater things. They, like other determined people, possessed the stamina and courage to pursue their ambitions despite criticism, ridicule and unfavorable circumstances.
Astronaut Scott Carpenter was constantly in trouble as a young boy. While recuperating after a near-fatal car accident, he dedicated himself to turning his life around and later became the second American to orbit the Earth.
You may never be an award-winning actress, an astronaut, a civic leader or a sports icon, but you can succeed at your dream if you follow their examples and never give up.
At 211 degrees, water is hot. One slight change – one more degree – and it boils, changing into steam. And steam can power a locomotive. That minor change of one more degree makes all the difference. That one extra degree in business and in life separates the good from the great. It’s your life. You are responsible for your results. Never be afraid to turn up the heat.
Mackay’s Moral: The best angle to approach a problem is the try-angle.
Harvey Mackay is the author of the New York Times bestseller “Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive.” He can be reached through his website, www.harveymackay.com.
