I realize this is a Nike commercial, but the message is no less inspiring to me.
“Maybe it’s my fault. Maybe I led you to believe it was easy, when it wasn’t … Maybe I led you to believe that basketball was a God-given gift, and not something I worked for every single day of my life.”
– Michael Jordan
In this brief TedTalk (approx. 6 minutes), psychology researcher Dr. Angela Lee Duckworth explains her theory of “grit” as a key predictor of success in life.
“In all those very different contexts, one characteristic emerged as a significant predictor of success. And it wasn’t social intelligence. It wasn’t good looks, physical health, and it wasn’t IQ.
“It was grit.
“Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day-in, day-out. Not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years. And working really hard to make that future a reality.
“Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
In this short TedTalk (approx 3 minutes), Google’s Matt Cutts shares how small, sustainable changes are the secret to changing your life for good.
No matter what creative field you’re in, I have no doubt you’ll be inspired by these words from Ira Glass, the host and producer of This American Life.
“… the most important possible thing you can do is do a lot of work. Do a huge volume of work … Because it’s only by going through a volume of work that you are actually going to catch up and close that gap. And the work you’re making will be as good as your ambitions.”
I love this video. It’s about 8 minutes long, but well worth a listen … a poignant message delivered in a way that only Paul Harvey could do it.
“Do you think I care which of my special children you feel closest to? Jesus? Mary? Buddha? Krishna? Mohammad, or any of the others? You can call me and my special ones any name you choose if only you will go about my business of loving one another as I love you. How can you keep neglecting something so simple?”
Note: The source of this letter is An impatient letter to all of us from God, by Bo Lozoff, co-founder of the Human Kindness Foundation.
