Go a Little Farther

In life, I’ve come to realise ‘everything we know, we learned from someone, including the knowledge or writings we take credit for.’ Yes! Even what I’m writing right now. Makes you understand better why people say ‘there’s nothing new under the sun.’

Read this conversation of a onetime Governor of North Carolina, complimenting the great creative genius Thomas Edison culled from the ‘word for today.’

Governor: there’s so much credit to be given to you

Thomas: I am not a great inventor

Governor: but you have over 1000 patent to your credit

Thomas: Yes, about the only invention I can claim is absolutely original is the ‘phonograph’

Governor: I’m afraid, I don’t understand.

Thomas: Well, I’m an awfully good sponge. I absorb ideas wherever I can and put them to practical use. Then I improve them until they become of value. My ideas are mostly the ideas of other people who didn’t develop them themselves.

Yes! The key to the great achievements of Thomas Edison is the ability to stay open, hungry for knowledge and more knowledge, to go a step farther than others and be teachable.

Everyone desiring to be successful in life must be willing to walk in his steps. You don’t become great by doing nothing but you become great by doing something and doing it better than others.

In as much, its understood that favour is better than labour, it will do you good not to be idle. The favour comes with your willingness to labour. Hence, favour is to reduce the pain of labour but not to remove labour.

To be successful, you must ask yourself these questions.

1  1)    Am I open to people’s thoughts and ideas?

2  2)    Do I think and observe before acting on a situation?

3  3)    Do I find it easy to ask questions, even the ones that will expose my ignorance?

4  4)    Do I listen more than I talk?

5  5)   Am I willing to take constructive criticism or I act defensively?

6  6)   Am I willing to change my opinion base on new information?

    7)  Do I argue often or readily admit when I am wrong?

8  8)  Am I willing to take directions?

 Only a foolish man that will think he knows it all. Because we keep learning everyday and don’t forget no  one is above mistake or failure. But never give up on what is right. To succeed be willing to go a little step farther. 

And remember ‘life is worth living and people worth loving.’ Cheers!

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