Success
A pyramid isn’t built from the top down. The apex is attained only by laying strong foundation stones, one by one. The same is true of achieving a lofty objective. The crucial thing is to lay the first stone, to take the first step.
Do you give up the struggle to overcome your own limitations on the first attempt, or do you keep on with it, trying a second time, a third time, and continuing on in the challenge for the rest of your life? That is the only difference between the genius and the ordinary person.
Human society is made up of people who have met success and those who have not. No one knows for sure whether one’s life will be blessed by fortune or burdened by fate. Still, the elation of triumph is short-lived. But those who understand that every setback, too, is only a temporary result and who continue to make steady efforts with confidence and conviction can achieve truly great things. Ultimately, victory comes from never giving in to defeat.
If you lose today, win tomorrow. In this never-ending spirit of challenge is found the heart of a victor.
In life, we are often faced with various competing responsibilities. The important thing is to be determined to give your all and to be fully engaged in what you are doing at any given moment. . . . The secret to successfully fulfilling a variety of roles is to concentrate fully on the task at hand and enthusiastically give it your best effort, maintaining a positive, forward-looking attitude and not worrying.
It is precisely when we have suffered defeat that we can determine to win and open the path to future victory.
It takes great effort to build something, but it only takes an instant to destroy it.
Success, victory and happiness are all to be found in forward motion.
The real struggle in life is with ourselves. The true secret of success is the refusal to give up, the refusal to fail; it lies in the struggle to win the battle against one's own weaknesses.
The risk of failure is part of trying. If you never attempt to do anything, you’ll never fail. Should you fail, the important thing is to summon fresh courage and get right back on your feet again. No matter how many times you may fall, keep pressing forward with an invincible determination. Victory and defeat in life are not decided until the final moment.
The seeds of firm conviction already contain within them the flowers and fruits of happiness. But if we plant the seeds of self-doubt, naturally, only noxious weeds will sprout.
There are times when victory or success can actually become the cause for future defeat or failure. Likewise, a defeat can become the cause for significant future victories.
This lifetime will never come again; it is precious and irreplaceable. To live without regret, we must have a concrete purpose, continually setting goals and challenges for ourselves. And we need to keep moving toward those specific targets steadily and tenaciously, one step at a time.
Though one may seem to have attained success for the moment, one will start to regress the instant one becomes careless and ceases making effort, beginning a slide toward defeat. Those who are continually pressing ahead are genuinely successful.
What is defeat in life? It is not merely making a mistake; defeat means giving up on yourself in the midst of difficulty. What is true success in life? True success means winning in the battle with yourself. Those who persist in the pursuit of their dreams, no matter what the hurdles, are winners in life, for they have won over their weaknesses.
When you devote yourself to achieving your goal, you will not be bothered by shallow criticism. Nothing important can be accomplished if you allow yourself to be swayed by some trifling matter, always looking over your shoulder and wondering what others are saying or thinking. The key to achievement is to move forward along your chosen path with determination.
When you think, “I can’t do anymore. I need a break,” that is the time to challenge yourself to keep going another five minutes. Those who persevere for even an extra five minutes are admirable; they will win in life.
While it is important to win, it’s even more important to remain undefeated no matter what happens.
