“The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.”
Randy Pausch
If you haven’t read the Randy Pausch book “The Last Lecture” I HIGHLY recommend that you do so. It is easily one of the most compelling and inspirational books I have read in my life. I haven’t read it in a number of years but it is going to the very top of my queue to reread starting this weekend. If you are interested there is also a video of his lecture that is well worth the time. You can check that out here.
I believe the ability to overcome obstacles and achieve despite the barriers in front of you is one of the most critical to long-term success in life. Whether you call it grit, determination, or perseverance it is a fundamental element that those who are successful (and defining success is for another post…) seem to have as a deep core character trait. It is an attitudinal element that manifests through behavior. Those that have it seem to live life with an “over, under, around or through” ethos that allows them to overcome any of the brick walls that life throws at them.
How do you approach the walls in life? Is it with defeatism or an intense focus that allows you to drive and show just how badly you want something?
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