Many years ago, I read a speech given by an insurance executive in 1940 named Albert E.N. Grey entitled “The Common Denominator of Success” that was given at the NALU (National Association of Life Underwriters). In my opinion, it offered the best explanation of how to identify the secret of successful people. It crosses all industries, job functions, cultures, and languages and it remains as true today as it was then. It’s premise was that it is not talent, education, experience or looks that are the keys to success in life.
We all know many talented people who have wasted their lives. It is not education alone. I myself have a master’s degree in business, yet I know many people that have achieved far more than I have with only a high school diploma. If experience were the primary ingredient, than those working the longest at a particular job would naturally be the most successful, and we know that is not true. And, although looks may open some doors for you, it cannot be counted on in the trenches where most of us live every day.
What is it then? Persistence and Sacrifice: “The common denominator of success — the secret of success of every man who has ever been successful — lies in the fact that he formed the habit of doing things that failures don’t like to do.”
They do them every day, day in and day out, until they achieve the prize for which they have worked so diligently to obtain. It is not easy, not many people make the sacrifices necessary to arrive at success, but it is worth it!