This honest truth comes from Brian Tracy, a leading authority on personal and business success. He said, ''Your decision to be, have and do something out of ordinary entails facing difficulties that are out of the ordinary as well. Sometimes your greatest asset is simply your ability to stay with it longer than anyone else.'' If you want ordinary results, take the ordinary path. But if you want extraordinary results, you must be willing to face extraordinary challenges. There is no way around it.
Many people want extraordinary success but are not prepared for the difficulties that come with it. They give up when things get hard. Tracy says that is the wrong approach. The difficulties are not a sign you are on the wrong path. They are a sign you are on the right one. And your greatest asset is simply your ability to persist longer than anyone else. This article explores how to embrace the difficulties of the extraordinary path.
What This Quote Means Today
In our modern world, we often see the results of success without seeing the struggle behind it. We see the billionaire, not the years of failure. We see the champion, not the hours of practice. Tracy says the struggle is part of the deal. Extraordinary results require extraordinary effort and extraordinary persistence.
Today, this applies to every goal. If you want to start a successful business, expect extraordinary difficulties. If you want to achieve elite fitness, expect extraordinary challenges. If you want to build a great relationship, expect extraordinary work. The difficulties are not obstacles. They are the path.
This quote also speaks to the power of persistence. When you can stay with it longer than anyone else, you win. Most people quit. If you just keep going, you will eventually succeed.
Why It Matters Today
This matters today because many people give up too soon. They encounter difficulty and think they have made a wrong turn. Tracy says difficulty is not a detour. It is the road. Expect it. Embrace it. Keep going.
It also matters because persistence is something you can control. You may not have the most talent. You may not have the most resources. But you can always choose to keep going. That is your greatest asset.
Research on success shows that persistence is one of the strongest predictors of achievement. People who keep going when others quit eventually succeed. Their ability to stay with it makes all the difference.
About the Author
Brian Tracy is one of the world's leading authorities on personal and business success. He was born in Canada in 1944 and had a difficult start in life. He dropped out of high school and worked at laboring jobs. He decided to do something out of the ordinary. That decision entailed facing extraordinary difficulties. He faced rejection, failure, and struggle. But he persisted. He stayed with it longer than most.
His persistence paid off. He became a successful businessman, speaker, and author. He has written more than 80 books and spoken to millions of people. His ability to stay with it was his greatest asset.
His famous quotes often reflect this truth. He says, ''Sometimes your greatest asset is simply your ability to stay with it longer than anyone else.'' He lives that truth.
The Story Behind the Quote
This quote comes from Brian Tracy's observation of what separates the extraordinary from the ordinary. He noticed that extraordinary people faced extraordinary difficulties. But they kept going. Their persistence set them apart.
Tracy himself experienced this. When he was starting out, he faced constant rejection and failure. But he kept going. He stayed with it. That persistence was his greatest asset.
It's worth noting that persistence is not just about time. It is about continued effort. You must keep working, keep learning, keep improving, even when it is hard.
Why This Quote Stands Out
This quote stands out because it is honest. It does not promise an easy path. It promises that extraordinary results require extraordinary difficulties. That is the truth. And it prepares you for what is to come.
It also stands out because it identifies your greatest asset. Not talent. Not intelligence. Your ability to stay with it longer than anyone else. That is something you can develop.
The quote has inspired many to keep going when things get hard. They know that difficulty is part of the path. They know that persistence is their greatest weapon.
How You Can Benefit from This Quote
This quote can prepare you for the challenges ahead. Here is how to apply it.
- Expect Difficulties: When you set an extraordinary goal, expect extraordinary difficulties. Do not be surprised. They are part of the deal.
- Embrace the Struggle: See difficulties as signs that you are on the right path. They are not obstacles. They are the path.
- Develop Persistence: Make persistence your greatest asset. When others quit, keep going. When it is hard, keep going. Just keep going.
- Remember Your Why: When things get hard, remember why you started. Your purpose will fuel your persistence.
Real-Life Examples
The power of persistence is seen in many lives. One example is Abraham Lincoln. He faced extraordinary difficulties. He lost elections, failed in business, and suffered personal tragedy. But he persisted. He stayed with it. He became one of the greatest presidents in history.
Another example is Thomas Edison. He faced thousands of failures before inventing the light bulb. He could have quit. But he persisted. He stayed with it. His persistence changed the world.
A personal example might be someone starting a business. They face rejection, cash flow problems, and long hours. It is hard. But they persist. They keep going. Eventually, they succeed. Their persistence was their greatest asset.
Questions People Ask
How do I know if I should persist or quit?
If your goal still matters to you, persist. If you are learning and growing, persist. If you are just beating your head against a wall, maybe reconsider. But usually, the answer is to persist.
What if I persist and still fail?
Then you have grown. You are stronger. You are prepared for the next attempt. Failure is not final unless you quit.
How do I develop persistence?
Start with small challenges. Practice not quitting. Build the muscle. Over time, you will be able to persist through bigger challenges.
What to Take Away
Your decision to be out of the ordinary entails facing extraordinary difficulties. That is the deal. But your greatest asset is your ability to stay with it longer than anyone else. Brian Tracy's words are a call to embrace the struggle. Expect difficulties. Embrace them. Develop persistence. Keep going. When you stay with it longer than anyone else, you will achieve the extraordinary.