Is it worth it? You tell me.
In order to succeed in most anything, you have to have a passion as well as be both patient and persistent in the pursuit of its fulfillment.
You have to have a passion that inspires and drives you.
You have to be patient because it takes time to learn a new skill, develop a talent or build a business.
You have to be persistent because success is not one thing, rather it is a series of little things done consistently.
This week two perfect examples of Passion, Patience and Persistence came to my attention.
The first one most everyone is talking about—Steve Jobs.
Since his resignation a few days ago, countless articles and posts have been written about this incredible man. What I am going to do is relate what we see from his work to the title.
Passion: In my opinion, Steve’s twin passions are innovation and simplicity.
Patience: Many people have great ideas; few people implement them. From the myriad of components in hardware to code creation, it takes patience to continue to source the best, the most effective for each and then put it together. He was patiently impatient in his pursuit of excellence.
Persistence: Steve kept innovating and going forward despite obstacles and seeming failures. Many people consider the NEXT computers lackluster at best. However, what they may not realize is how the object-oriented NextStep operating system influenced future platforms and products be they games, dynamic web applications or iPhones.
Payoff: Was it worth it? Steve’s passion, patience and persistence provided a huge payoff. Though I can’t speak for him, I would certainly imagine that he is very proud of the contributions he has made. If the success of a payoff is monetary, the answer is an obvious YES. Apple, the company he founded, is the most valuable publicly traded company in the world. (Though he sold Pixar in 2006 to Disney for $7.4 billion, it was no slouch either.)
Let’s look at the other example. Someone sent me an e-mail with a few of these images. Because I was intrigued, I researched to learn about the man behind them, Doug Landis. What I learned is that Doug did not become an artist until a high school wrestling accident left him a quadriplegic.
Passion: To make people aware of these great vanishing species.
Patience: It takes him 40-400+ hours to create each piece. Can you even begin imagine the patience it required to teach himself how to do this, how to refine his technique?
Persistence: Doug pursued numerous areas related to arts and graphics before returning to fine art. In drawing images of these magnificent endangered specifies, he felt that he was not doing them justice because of his limited reach. So he taught himself further and developed more new techniques—how to draw upside and sideways!
Payoff: In his words, “. . .when other people tell me how much they enjoy my work or that it is inspiring to them in some way, it is very humbling for me. It also inspires me to do justice to the animals I’m drawing.” For us, we can admire and purchase these amazing pieces of art. The detail astonishes me.
As you may have guessed, the image above is one of Doug’s. Spend 2 minutes and watch this presentation of his works of art.
Do you know your passion?
Are you willing to be patient and persistent in the pursuit of it?
Do to you believe the time and effort required is worth the payoff?
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janet@janetcallaway.com
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Hey Janet
I am definitely passionate about what I am doing.
My nature is to be persistent and I have a five year plan.
Peter
Peter, aloha. Good to see you again. With passion, persistence and a 5 year plan you are well on your way to achieving your objective.
Thx so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Wishing you a terrific week, Peter. Until next time, aloha. Janet
I had seen Landis’ work before and was amazed at the talent AND persistence that each of those pieces require.
Great share- and points.
Roy, aloha. Like you, I had seen Landis’ work before and was in awe of his talent and persistence. When I first saw them, I was not given the artist’s name so could not research. Happily, the recent e-mail I received gave credit to him so I could research him. Roy, did you visit his blog and read his story? You’ll like the person that he is.
As always, Roy, I so appreciate your support. Wishing you a fantastic next week. Until we next meet somewhere on the online world, aloha. Janet
Hi Janet, Wow, what a great post. You had me at “Steve Jobs” of course, but you were spot on in analyzing what makes him great. I took a long while to warm up to an iPhone because I wanted a physical keyboard, but the iPod Touch convinced me an iPhone was for me. After that, my faith in Steve Jobs’ dedication to design was solid.
Your story about Doug Landis was truly amazing and inspirational. I think I would be too busy struggling with every day life to look at expanding my horizons. But what an incredible person to not only stretch but to develop such talent. Wow.
Thanks so much for sharing your talents with us. You clearly have the qualities that Messrs. Jobs and Landis possess.
Carolyn, aloha. No surprise “Wonder of Tech,” nominee for Philly’s Most Valuable Blogger 2011, that the Steve Jobs’ reference would catch your eye. What I so admire about Steve, Carolyn, is his ability to envision and to implement. He remains focused on his market rather than trying to make the entire world his market. He makes products for people who like what he likes; he doesn’t worry about everyone else. If numbers are an indicator, that approach works very well.
If you have not yet done so, do go over to Doug’s blog to read his story. It sounds like he has a supportive family and I love that his brother challenged him. You will absolutely appreciate reading his bio. He is an amazing being with incredible talent.
Carolyn, thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Enjoy a fantastic week. Aloha. Janet
P.S. ATTENTION READERS! If you are like me and read the comments by others, please do click on this link to vote for Carolyn. We can vote for her up until 9/9 EZ to do; no sign up; one click: http://philadelphia.blogger.cbslocal.com/most-valuable-blogger/blog/280-wonder-of-tech/
Enjoyed the post and first time stopping by. They are interlocked; passion, patience and persistence. I believe without the passion, it’s impossible to have the other two or missing one from the chain will cause a very weak form of the others.
Those lacking in passion will find it extremely hard in the long hours of waiting, the failures, the getting-up-and-dusting-self-off times. Those 3 are the perfect chain that will indeed lead to payoff, either monetary or inwardly.
Jacob, aloha. Welcome to my blog; it is always such a pleasure to greet first time visitors–especially when they come all the way over from China.
Jacob, so glad you too see the same chain that I do. Interestingly enough, you made the payoff “either monetary or inwardly.” One the other commenters, Keri, mentioned that as a society we are conditioned to have quicker payoff points whereas committing to these principles means working towards undefined payoff points.
In both instances, Jacob, I believe these gentleman are working for the inward satisfaction rather than monetary payoff points. It’s long been said “do what you love and the money will follow.” That certainly holds true for Steve Jobs.
So good meeting you, Jacob; I look forward to seeing you again in the not too distant future. Until then, aloha. Janet
Passion, patience and persistence is how I feel about my blog. When I started thinking about writing a blog I spent over a year researching, working on a mind map, answering and asking questions on LinkedIn and discovering my niche.
My ultimate goal for my blog is something I don’t expect to achieve for a few years, at least. I’m not ready to quit my job and pursue working for myself so for now I am blogging and learning and building relationships so I am ready to take the step to self-employment in the future.
Passion is easy to have and the patience and persistence are sometimes elusive. What I find truly great about patience and persistence is they can help prepare me for what comes next. Truly great ideas often take time and effort to fully grow and develop!
Chrysta, aloha. In my opinion, your blog is evolving beautifully. Since blogs are “living” things, we must expect them to take time to grow and to change. Even though you may know the direction you want to go, you have to gradually lead your readers there. Chrysta, you do well with that because often when I am visiting your blog I feel like you are holding my hand to take me somewhere.
As you know, Chrysta, one of the great things about a blog is the relationships that you build. You connect with certain commenters as we have and then you connect with friends of those new friends.
Thx so much for stopping by and sharing your passion about your blog. Best wishes for a spectacular week. Until next time, aloha. Janet
Yes, Janet, it’s worth it!
To commit to this principle means an undefined “payoff point.” Which is why I believe we see few profound stories like these. Our society has conditioned us to work toward a quicker payoff.
Interesting comparison of the two gentleman.
I have seen some of Landis’ work before. Thank you for reminding me of him and his work. Amazing!!
Blessings to you…
~Keri
Keri, aloha. Excellent point, Keri; thx so much for adding it to the comments section. Society has conditioned us to both a quicker and a defined payoff point. Both of these gentleman who for the undefined payoff which brings them the personal satisfaction. We are the fortunate recipients of their efforts.
Different though they may be, the similarities spoke to me loud and clear–perhaps it was because they both came to me in the same week.
Glad you enjoyed week the remarkable work of Landis again. Enjoy a week of serendipitous experiences. Until next time, aloha. Janet
Janet the P that many miss which is what keeps you on course is Purpose. When you know your purpose then being patient , passionate and persistent is simple.
Love your zeal and enthusiasm.
Michele, aloha. Welcome to my blog; it is always such a pleasure to great first time visitors.
No surprise, Prosperity Girl, that you would have the perfect P to add to the comments section. Thx for adding the all important Purpose.
Michele, thx so much for stopping by and commenting. Wishing you a magnificent week ahead. Aloha. Janet
Hi Janet.
This is my fist time here, enjoyed your post thankyou. I am fairly new to blogging and am passionate about what i do, have tons of patience and am very persistent so i’m sure i’ll be back here with 101 questions.
Thanks again. Dianne
Dianne, aloha. Welcome to my blog; it is always such a pleasure to greet first time visitors. Before replying to your comment, I took a quick trip over to your blog. Your passion for knitting is evident and, since my closest friend is an avid knitter, I know you do have to be patient and persistent.
Do stop by any time to ask a question; I would be delighted to help you. Wishing you a wonderful week. Until next time, aloha. Janet
Hi, Janet!
Have you seen how Steve Jobs look like now? Really sick, I have noticed some photos two days ago…they are so bad, that I really hope they are done in photoshop. If not, he is in scary condition.
Anyway, I think passion is the main motivator to everything else. Without it, there wouldn’t be for anything else – no desire for commitment, no persistence, patience.
However, I think that passions are the ones that choose us, rather than us choosing our passions.
If we have a power to choose them, then it is not a passion anymore, it is just a choice.
Kristina, aloha. Unfortunately, Kristina, those photos could well be accurate though they are not want we want to see.
What an interesting statement that passions choose us otherwise it is just a choice. That’s excellent, Kristina. Our passions do seem to come to us; we do not think “I think I will be passionate about _________”
So good to see you again. Enjoy the rest of the week. Until next time, aloha. Janet
“Many people have great ideas; few people implement them…”
So true. So unfortunate. And even when people start the road to achieving their dream, they tend to give up, not realizing how close they are to achieving their goal…
Success happens because of true passion. It’s so important to have a passion within your industry – passion with what you do. This will fuel the fire and assist you in the prevention of giving up. Perfect description. Passion. Patience. Persistence.
Great article!
Brock, aloha. No surprise to me that this phrase: “Many people have great ideas; few people implement them…” would resonate with you.
From what I know of you, Brock, you have an idea and you take the action to implement. No doubt about it, Brock, you are a doer.
Thx for letting me know this spoke to you. Best wishes for a terrific week. Until later, aloha. Janet
Hi Janet,
Super inspiring story on both counts!
Steve Jobs was persistent as heck in pursuing a worthy ideal while facing all sorts of criticism and obstacles.
Doug showed amazing persistence in learning how to craft such beautiful work using tools most of us can’t fathom using, to create such art work. He also tied his passion to a worthy ideal as these species are disappearing at a rapid rate.
You must pass the persistence test to accomplish what you want to accomplish. Those who persist, get it, and there’s no better feeling in the world to make a difference and inspire others to do the same.
Thanks for sharing the wonderful inspiration with us Janet!
RB
Ryan, aloha. Thx for dropping in from where you now are in your travels; I appreciate it.
Ryan, if we are persistent, we can be or do or have most anything we want. It make take a while, it’s waiting for us on our journey of growth.
Delighted that you found this inspirational Ryan. Steve and Doug are two amazing gentleman. Best wishes for a wonderful week. Until next time, aloha. Janet
Janet aloha. I believe when your passion is authentic then you will be patient and persistent because your passion will fuel you. Both Steve Jobs and Doug Landis are testimony to this.
What happens if you have not found your passion? I believe the formula is not much different. If you are patient and persistent you are bound to find it. Our passion is always there, it’s just that sometimes it can’t be accessed immediately.
I believe my passion has to do with my purpose Janet. For me this means to apply my sensitivity and expressive abilities to teach, uplift and inspire.
The interesting thing Janet is that while I have known this for a long time, I have made it my secondary purpose. It has been an ongoing process and only recently have I been challenged to make changes directly and now.
I will be writing about this at length over the next couple of weeks on my blog. It will mean embracing change and focusing my energy differently to the way I have been doing this.
In my case I have been patient and persistent in pursuit of being true to my passion and and I am ready for the payoff. The time is right and I am ready.
Thanks for an inspiring post that speaks to me on a very personal level.
Have a blessed week ahead.
~Marcus
Marcus, aloha. Your statement is exactly how I see you:
“For me this means to apply my sensitivity and expressive abilities to teach, uplift and inspire.”
Marcus, you do all three of those so well. Recently, I had noticed a difference on your blog as well as that you seem more removed. Apparently you are shedding your cocoon and will be the brilliant butterfly. Marcus, I can hardly wait to read what you are doing.
Like you, I have been going through some changes though mine are not quite as finalized as yours. Look forward to learning about your evolution and plans. Until later, aloha. Janet
Another wonderful post Janet and I answer yes to all of your questions. Absodarnlutely!!!
You are so right about Steve Jobs. I believe that’s what has made him such a success with whatever he touches. He has a vision, he’s passionate about it, he’s patient because everything takes time and he’s very persistent.
I’ve heard Steve’s story and that is one talented young man. What patience he must have but I suppose that was a hard lesson he had to learn given his condition. I’m sorry that happened to him but he’s graced us with his beautiful art so for that we need to be thankful.
Thank you for sharing this with us as always. Great reminders to stay on tract if we are really passionate about what we want to accomplish. That my friend is no problem for me.
Hope you’ve enjoyed your Monday and are looking forward to a really great week. I know I am.
Adrienne
Adrienne, aloha. WOW! You taught me an incredible new word — Absodarnlutely! Is that an AS original?
Steve Jobs is, of course, extraordinary. One of the things I so appreciate about him is that he always stayed focused on what he wanted to create; he never worried about “chasing the market” and making his products appeal to everyone. What a great lesson on branding for us, Adrienne. Brand yourself to what/who you are rather than trying to be all things to all people.
What I like best about Doug, Adrienne, is his incredible attitude. He obviously has all the listed traits that are no doubt even more effective because of his attitude. His art is simply amazing.
Best wishes to you for a terrific rest of the week. Until later, aloha. Janet
Do you know your passion?
Are you willing to be patient and persistent in the pursuit of it?
Do to you believe the time and effort required is worth the payoff?
The answer is yes to all of those questions. I intentionally don’t speak of some of the things that I am working on because those are promises that I make to me and no one else.
But passion, patience and persistence are so very important to me. In my life they provide the fuel, the fire and the motivation to move ahead.
Jack, aloha. Absolutely loved your ending sentence:
“. . . they provide the fuel, the fire and the motivation to move ahead.”
Without them, Jack, it is difficult to pursue our dreams, our goals to fruition.
So agree with you, Jack. on some items are not meant to be shared as they are promises to yourself.
Best wishes for a terrific rest of the week. Until next time, aloha. Janet
Janet, aloha
I totally agree with you in all three points as I have been implementing them in m life for many years. I believe so much in thisand that for huge payoff all these are 100% required.
Thanks a lot for this motivational sharing with LIVE example of success.
Megan, aloha. Thx so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. That’s terrific that you have been incorporating these principles in your life. Congratulations to you.
Best wishes for a terrific rest of the week. Aloha. Janet
Hi Janet,
This is the first time when I visit your blog. It’s wonderful and I love this post as well.
Agree-passion , persistence and patience are the ingredients for every major achievement. They all work together. Passion colors your life and makes it interesting, fun and meaningful. Patience strengthens your character…Persistence tests the first two.. It creates integrity, personal power and awareness. Only this awareness (that you’re capable of great things) can inspire others as well.
At least, this is what I believe:)
Steve Jobs is a great example. I appreciate him very much. I enjoyed the video. It touches your heart.
Thanks for sharing this post with us.I will come back for more.
Wish you a wonderful day,
Radu
Radu recently posted..Every successful entrepreneur knows this…
Radu, aloha. Welcome to my blog. It is always such a pleasure to greet first time visitors–especially when they let me know they like what they see.
Radu, thank you so much for your value adding comment and perspective on the words; I appreciate the way you expanded the thought.
Steve Jobs is an amazing man and we can all learn many lessons from him.
So glad you liked the video. Doug is an amazing being. Radu, I sent him an e-mail with a link to this post when I published it. In it I told him how I came to discover him, my thoughts and about this post. What I received in exchange was a heartfelt thank you message that touched me.
Radu, I look forward to seeing you again in my comments section with more great insights.
Best wishes for a wonderful weekend. Until next time, aloha. Janet