“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.”
Calvin Coolidge, 30th U.S. President
I have always admired stories of men or women who persisted, overcame personal tragedies or failures, and then achieved something of significance. First, it keeps my little trivial failures and struggles in proper perspective. Second, it inspires me to dig deep, to persist, and to will myself forward in times when I don’t want to keep pushing.
One such inspiring story is that of Abraham Lincoln, probably the most famous president and public figure in American history. Like all of us, Abraham Lincoln had his warts and deficiencies, but without a doubt his accomplishments were remarkable. He rose to become the U.S president during a time of great turmoil after growing up as a frontier farmer’s son without any formal schooling, without enormous family wealth, and without inside connections.
One of Lincoln’s greatest strength seemed to be his persistence and determination when life threw obstacles and tragedies his way. Here is a list that shows you the up and down trajectory of Lincoln’s path to the presidency.
- 1818 – Mother died (Lincoln was 9 years old)
- 1828 – Sister died
- 1832 – Defeated for state legislature
- 1833 – Failed in business
- 1834 – Elected to state legislature
- 1835 – Sweetheart died
- 1836 – Suffered depression and nervous breakdown
- 1836 – Reelected to state legislature
- 1836 – Received certificate to practice law
- 1838 – Defeated for state speaker of the house
- 1842 – Married to Mary Todd
- 1843 – Defeated for U.S. Congress nomination
- 1846 – Elected to U.S. Congress
- 1850 – Son Edward died
- 1855 – Defeated for U.S. Senate
- 1859 – Defeated again for U.S. Senate
- 1860 – Elected as U.S. President
- 1862 – Son Willie died
- 1864 – Re-elected as U.S. President
Lincoln’s strength was not that he somehow suffered less from his tragedies and failures. Lincoln was impacted greatly, and he showed it with regular fits of sadness, moments of hopelessness, and constant inner turmoil. In this way, he was no different than most of us.
But, Lincoln also demonstrated a trait that we can all aspire to in our own dark moments – a heroic persistence. Lincoln demonstrated that persistence is a choice. The choice is to pick ourselves up after being knocked down, stepped on, and hurt by life. The choice often requires great courage. The choice is not enjoyable or easy. Interestingly enough, the choice to persist led to Lincoln’s greatest moments.
I don’t know if I could muster the same courage, grit, and determination that was required of Lincoln or of other less well-known but equally great people. But, I am certain that I feel stronger and more able knowing that others have persisted before me. I hope you do too.
I’ll leave you with a poem from William Blake that touches on the topic of this article. I’d love to hear your own thoughts, stories, or feedback in the comments below.
Joy and woe are woven fine,
A clothing for the soul divine,
Under every grief and pine,
Runs a joy with silken twine.
It is right it should be so,
We were made for joy and woe,
And when this we rightly know,
Through the world we safely go.
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Bryan says
Good topic,well written,Good work.
Lincoln Persistence nufsaid
Blake’s poem is also award winning
Chad Carson says
Thanks, Bryan. I agree on Blake’s poem. They express the concept so beautifully.
Queen AmyDoll says
My TRIAL and TRIUMPH trajectory:
1976 – born suffocated from cord
1977 – head/facial trauma
1986 – won first basketball trophy 🙂
1990 – mother divorced father and fleed religious cult with me and siblings
1991 – major illness, bedridden
1992 – diagnosed with fibromyalgia/CFS spectrum – dropped out of high school, college basketball dreams foiled
1993 – entered alternative high school – raped and impregnated
1994 – gave birth to son – became welfare recipient
1995 – dropped out of high school again – strangled and beat by ‘chromosome donor’
1996 – homeless – took in friend’s child
1997 – earned GED
1998 – started community college
1999 – regained housing – hired for life changing job on college campus*
2000 – earned AA&S with honors – awarded $20,000.00 university scholarship and award for academics
2002 – other child returned to friend – failed out of university
2003 – returned to university – obtained important paid internship
2004 – failed out of university
2006 – hired as deputy sheriff, graduated from police academy – welfare dependence ended!
2009 – returned to university online
2010 – sickened/disabled from job – homeless – retirement/savings spent on medical expenses
2011 – regained housing – officially lost job due to disability
2012 – earned BA cum laude – son graduated high school
2013 – learned illness related to heavy metal poisoning from job, began treatment
2014 – car accidents due to illness, unable to drive for 5 months
2014 – son arrested, facing prison time for typical teen frontal-lobe-deficiency decision and outdated law not intended for such situations
Present – returning to university for online MBA in RE Investment/Finance – continuing medical treatment and physical therapy
Future – earn MBA, invest in good RE deals, etc., buy first home, replenish retirement account, pay off student loans, regain control of financial future, gain independence from social security and insurance company… live life, not just survive or be a victim of circumstance.
*baby sitter cancelled last minute; despite 30 minutes late to interview, hand-written resume on yellow legal pad, son in tow, I was hired for my persistence, guts, and inspiration! 🙂
Thanks for reading. May the Force be you 🙂
Chad Carson says
Your persistence and determination are an inspiration. I really appreciate you sharing your story.