This morning, I started working on a sort of combination anniversary/milestone post. Tomorrow will mark the anniversary of the first post I made here. Whereas I'm not big on these self-congratulatory things, they DO offer a good way to "take status" and see how things are going.
As I started gathering bits of information, I was once again reminded that I have never been particularly brilliant or "good" at anything-- I am mostly where I am as a result of being a fairly "average" person with a lot of determination.
"Brilliant People" and Success
Then I got to thinking about just how many ostensibly "brilliant" people I have met-- and know-- who have basically made very little of their lives.
Actual graffiti seen on a construction wall in Amsterdam
They are very good at ideas, but just about never do anything with their brilliant ideas.
I guess I would be more OK with that if it seemed like they actually didn't care whether their thoughts ever came to fruition. But the thing is-- most of them do. And they are often given to complaining about "how hard" it is to make it in life, and how "being really smart" is not actually an advantage because they never managed to create any sort of success.
I consider this, and sometimes I think this "gap" is the result of someone who doesn't realize that just because it is easy for them to have a great idea, it doesn't necessarily follow that it will be easy to execute that idea.
Determination
In my own experience of life, I've found that you can get a really long way simply by having a lot of determination and applying it to what many might consider "a pretty good" idea, or "somewhat above average" skills.
A very determined vine, climbing a tree
Why do I bring this up?
Because there are a lot of people who have potential, but count themselves "out of the game" before they even start, citing the reason "I am just not good enough."
Whereas it might be true that you don't have what it takes to be the next Steve Jobs or the next Warren Buffet, odds are that you are good enough, smart enough, or talented enough to do very well for yourself. Unfortunately, we live in a world that seems increasingly driven by what I call the "Lottery Effect," as a result of which many people don't even attempt to pursue their dreams, unless they can become "world class."
Which is a great shame. The thing is, lots of us have perfectly realizable dreams we can pursue and reach... even if we are not the most skilled or talented people on the planet.
What Does That Have to Do with a Steemit Post?
Summer jasmine
To sort of close the circle here and get back to that "anniversary post" I am working on, the point is that I wouldn't have done as well as I have here were it not for a lot of determination.
I am by no means the best writer here, by no means the most social, by no means the best at social media, nor one of the earliest adopters. And yet, I have done pretty OK for myself.
When I look around our community, I see lots of other people who have also done really well for themselves... as much as anything, through being very determined.
So if you're a relative newcomer reading these words, let me tell you there is no "magic trick." Just be determined and stick to what you're doing. Yes, there are some people who get to where they are through brilliance or trickery or manipulation... but that's no reason for you to not get where you want to go, through your own approach!
How About YOU? Do you consider yourself a determined person? Have accomplished more in life through determination, than through raw talent or brilliance? Do you feel it is necessary to be "exceptional" in order to succeed in life, or at some specific profession or goal? Or is determination often a better indicator of ultimate success? Leave a comment-- share your experiences-- be part of the conversation!
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Created at 180130 13:18 PST
You're absolutely right! Persistence, or determination is the key to success. No matter how brilliant you are, if you keep giving up or never even start, you're not gonna reach your goals.
I'm not a very determined person, I'm more of the go-with-the-flow type, unless I have a worthy goal.
I've been quite determined with Steemit this month - I wanted to write every single day, just to see if I could (and then keep it up) - I didn't make it, I skipped a few days, and that was OK, too. I like to cut myself infinite slack if the "flow" is just not right :)
And still it's been my most successful month on Steemit so far. Something clicked, and it's like I'm wasting money if I don't post here.
Interestingly enough, I am actually rather a happy-go-lucky slacker.
My determination mostly has come out of necessity, rather than as a natural tendency. I know from experience that nothing comes from my just sitting around and thinking about things; I have to step up and make things happen. And once I am "a body in motion" I tend to continue being a body in motion... otherwise it feels like all the previous effort was just wasted.
Congrats on having a successful month!
Can't believe it's only one year that you've been on here and look how far you've come! You are absolutely right that determination makes all the difference.
Combine smarts (which you have plenty of!) and some good old fashioned hard work, and you have yourself a killer combination! Though, like you said, you don't necessarily have to be top of class in intelligence as long as you have the drive, but you also can't get there by being the most brilliant person in the world just sitting on your hands.
Here's to many more years of Steemy success!
Thanks for the kind words!
I started here and really just wanted to get back in the habit of blogging and pretty "free ramble" writing. I had spent too many years writing "article format" pieces that I just ended up burning out on it. I'm better at trying to engage people in discussion and getting them involved in topics. And that's what I plan to continue doing for the next year and beyond.
Great objective! Look forward to engaging in more discussions with you.
Vi snakkes :)
Determination is almost everything. Almost.
I have a friend who spends all day trying to get his business off the ground but it never goes anywhere.
I just don't think he has the right business to tell you the truth. Sometimes determination actually isn't enough.
Having said that most people will tell you that success is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.
Fact. I will admit that I have "perspired my way" to a few marginal successes... and in retrospect, I could probably have used my energy more wisely-- I get a bit stubborn sometimes. I had a business that "made it" for 13 years, but I should probably have quit after 5-6 simply because "making it" and success are two different things.
since I was a child I had to struggle with determination to achieve my goals, dreams or whatever we want to call it, the only talent I have is perseverance, perseverance and dedication.
I wish you a wonderful day.Happy first anniversary of post dear friend @denmarkguy, excellent topic you have brought today.
Thank you @jlufer for your good wishes-- tomorrow I will make a more complete anniversary posting.
As much as anything, I have reached where I am as a result of determination; there are many things I have done and quite well, in spite of the fact that I did not have a lot of "natural" talent for them.
It seems to me that determination often beats talent because people who are brilliantly talented think that "they have time", "it will be easy for them" and "they are already good"; thus never really putting great effort into anything.
On the other side, people with average talent and skill know that they need to try hard in order to do good, so they try hard. Unless, of course, they are among those that don't even attempt to pursue their dreams because they "can't become world class", as you pointed out.
I have met quite a few brilliant people and they do have that tendency to (falsely) believe that just because coming up with brilliant ideas is easy, then executing those ideas will also be easy. Which very rarely holds true.
I think part of the reason I have also done OK is because I am quite content "being OK" or "being quite good" and forget about the whole world class thing.
Very true, I've seen it in my own life, and in those around me. It's the people who are willing to "do the work" that excell, not necessarily the ones we think are the best suited for the job.
Same here. Much of what I have done well with was the result of my willingness to "grind it out" after everyone else got either bored or frustrated... and left.
Glad you stayed determined!
Often the best teams are made up of both type of people. Thinkers and Doers!
Without the Doers the Thinkers never get anything done!
Darryl (@dadview) resides in Canada. He is an active member of The Alliance and teamcanada
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That is definitely true of team settings; I have spent much of my life in solitary situations (by choice) so I didn't consider that angle.
Never giving up was a big part of the process for me on this platform . There were many days I wanted to give up but I was determined to succeed . I did not want to give up for my son, he was my determination
Well, I know you are definitely one of the hardest workers on Steemit, and I admire that. Of course, I am sure it also helps your determination that you are helping build a legacy for your son.
Also , I’d like that thank you for always supporting me :) thanks for the amazing comment , will definitely keep striving
Another excellent post that I can completely relate to. I’ve never felt particularly skilled but I try to make up for it with grit and determination.
Part of it for me is that I have a short span of attention when it comes to planning and thinking... but a very LONG span of attention once I am "in" something and actively working on it.
I coach an inner-city policy debate team. The kids with innate public speaking abilities are the kids that quit the team after a few tournaments. The come in as beginners and their talent wins them an award or two. They rarely attend practice and don’t work on learning the case. Then they stop winning. My kids that take the time to develop their skills and understand the material, start to shine. One of my favorite moments was a tournament three years ago. Two shy freshman girls, had attended every tournament and practice and never won a debate or award. They spent the season building confidence, learning to project their voice, and understanding the material. It was the last tournament of the year, each walked away with a personal speaker award and a trophy for qualifying for the quarter finals. That is the power of determination!
In my humble opinion most of the time that's true because determination, will and never giving up are more important than brilliance alone!
In my experience, determination will get you somewhere, but brilliance without determination will not.
We agree on that!
I can definitely see what determination is of vital importance. Many people try things and often the timing doesn't work out. With determination, you have a much greater chance to pair you idea with its timing.
Definitely true. And it also keeps you from getting "knocked off course" as easily.
great post! I am new to steem please upvote or follow me back if you like :) @morfee
Thank you for this post, I definitely agree. Even in situations outside Steemit, I've seen that talent can get you far. But real determination and perseverance will get you beyond that.
I think what sets the two apart is that the latter always sees room for improvement and works their way towards it. If you are talented or gifted from the start, the temptation to just settle is quite strong. At least that's my opinion.
Having just started Steemit, I've already had posts that barely got any views or upvotes. I could have stopped or given up, but I know no whale or big player here ever got to where they are now without starting from the bottom.
So much love to share,.. and Yes,... with the one who appriciate it everytime
Happy One Year Anniversary, My Friend. More growth as you continue your Steem journey.
I must say this post of yours is nothing but the crux. Found myself in that complacency and laziness because I thought I was "intelligent and smart"
Just a stitch in time!!💪💯
Determination will always get you somewhere.
Brilliance without determination will just get you frustrated. (or apathetic)
I am _very_determined sometimes. Single minded .Stubborn, to be honest.
...and not so much others times. Quite the opposite.
I'm still working on what makes me like that - the two opposites.....(it's necessity, I think...)
So true that this is what I have told people asking how to succeed on Steemit. That is persistence. Never stop.
You don't have to be the best, you just need to find YOUR best.
It’s not the determination it’s the determining I have a problem with. There are so many paths available, how do I determine which one is worthy of my time? Once I have decided what I want to do I focus like a laser until it’s done. I find that bouncing from one project to another before finishing the first takes more time and leads to bad results so I avoid multitasking whenever possible.
You’re right about sticking to projects longer than maybe you should. I do this all the time, but I don’t know if I would call it stubbornness because I just want to finish what I started and not feel like I failed. There’s a lot of satisfaction in solving a problem and finishing a project but it’s always a trade-off and making the determination when to ‘throw in the towel’ is not easy! ;-)
Thanks for the post!
It can definitely be a mixed bag! My determination has usually stood me in good stead in the sense that I have managed to succeed at times when more qualified people quit and gave up, but I stuck to it. On the downside, I have hung on to "marginal" projects for longer than I should have... perhaps because I reached a point where my determination crossed the line into stubbornness.