Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about complacency – that common side effect of either perceived or actual success. The definition of “complacent” says it all:
“pleased, esp. with oneself or one’s merits, advantages, situation, etc., often without awareness of some potential danger or defect; self-satisfied”
We’re so focused sometimes at the goal itself, we don’t think about what we do when we get there. Success needs to be sustained, nurtured, and better yet – challenged.
I know that’s an odd thing to say – “we need to challenge our success“. What it means is that in order to really sustain the positive and fulfilling momentum generated by climbing the mountain, we quite literally need to put another mountain in front of us – preferably one a little bit higher than the last one.
What’s the secret ingredient to a constant challenging of success? Calvin Coolidge put it best when he said:
- “Nothing in the 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.”
- Yes, persistence is the key. If we’re not persistently trying to get better, to keep raising the bar, to keep challenging ourselves – sustained success will be indeed be an elusive and frustrating target.
- That’s why we must always “press on”, and avoid the malady of complacency.
- It’s a core tenet of the Half Full Philosophy, no doubt about it.
- Keep climbing!
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I won’t lie… I clicked through from my feed reader because I thought the Calvin you meant was from Calvin & Hobbes.
I mean this was good too, but you couldn’t have gone wrong with a comment about rocketship underpants.
I agree! Also explains why it seems people who work for things are more successful than people who are just given things. And, you can look at the definition of “persist” and look at what characteristics a person needs to be able to do that (optimism, determination, etc.)
Hi Linda – thanks for the comment, and here’s to all those who “persist” with that optimism and determination!
All the best,
Terry