“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” – Albert Einstein

The genius in this quote is not just that it came from Albert Einstein who we all know is well, an actual smarticle particle. – Its real impact is in its simplicity and its ability to divine the essence of success.

We like to think that people who are uber successful, are just freaks of nature; that they possess a superior intellect or extraordinary talent that results in their being “discovered” while the rest of us toil away in obscurity.

The reality is that there are no overnight “discoveries”  – in anything. Additionally, and I know my younger self would have had trouble believing this, it’s ultimately not about the smarts or the talent as much as it’s about a person’s belief in themselves and a willingness to persevere and do the work day in and day out.

How many times have you heard a friend, family member or colleague lament that life has somehow conspired to keep them from being more successful than they are. After all, they may grouse that they’re bright, talented and are great networkers. All of which is certainly very important to success.

But here’s the real question: how bad did they really want it? And for how long were they willing to persevere to reach their goals? Because, it’s not about putting forth some crazy, intense burst of energy for days, weeks or even months. Real success comes from an unglamorous, even painful, yet sustained effort, over a period of years, maybe even decades.  – Without the guarantee of a payoff.

I know, what I’m saying kind of sucks. Yeah, sorry. – Actually, not sorry. You know why? Because the world is filled with smart, talented, well connected and totally mediocre people who never achieve big success because working that hard, for that long, without knowing if there will be a reward, doesn’t seem worth it to them. So they rationalize that they’re ok where they are.  Until of course, some less talented but super hard working schmo passes them by. Then they’ll complain about the injustice of being passed over by someone they think they are better than. But you know what, even this won’t motivate them to change. They’ll just continue to complain.  What these kinds of people fail to realize is that while their talent and connections gave them an advantage in the beginning of their career, the longer you’re in the game the less sheer talent matters and the more hard work and persistence play a role.

These underachievers, because of their lack of grit, have essentially taken themselves out of the competition. Bad for them, but good for you. You know why? Because that means less competition on your climb to the top!

You don’t have to worry that you’re not the most talented, the smartest, or the most connected person – you just need to be willing to work harder than the competition every single day, day in and day out, year in and year out. – Even when there is no sign of a payoff in sight.

And then I promise, extraordinary things will happen.

This much I know.

-Jeanine