Last night I decided to take in a movie. I’m always obsessed with period pieces, and history, and pop culture, and history of successful (and not so successful) businesses, plus I always enjoy Michael Keaton’s performances... so I screened The Founder in a theater all to myself.

Keaton, as McDonald’s Ray Kroc, used a lot of inspirational quotes from history as he practiced persistence. I give you this quote, apparently attributed to Calvin Coolidge: (emphasis mine)

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 are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.

That really speaks to me. “Nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.” Shit, that’s the story of my life!

Seriously. Like, I need that right in front of me at. all. times. I need that quote in front of me so I can get that handled.

Ironically, I used to practice persistence myself. No, it wasn’t to get what I wanted in life or business.

It was to get a girl. The girl. The one from high school that you can’t get out of your mind.

And I was such a chump at the time. Had I known then what I know now, I’d have interpreted “You are SO persistent” as “You are SO CLOSE!”

But no, I misread that and shut that shit down. And lost her.

It was many years later, before I finally had her, at the drive-in. Are the lambs still screaming, Clarisse? We fell in love that night, for one night.

Yet, I still have to get it through my head: persistence is NOT a bad thing. Persistence will get you what you want. More than talent. More than genius. More than education.

Press on.

What i'm listening to:

Absolution
The Pretty Reckless
Going to Hell