Basil Odilim
Extreme and persistent hard work, driven by a deep sense of perfectionism, is the key to reaching places where no one else has ventured. If you can’t lead on the battlefield, stay completely away from battles. In other words, if you want to achieve extraordinary success, you must lead your journey wholly without passing any serious responsibility to others because, while it is your battle, it may not be theirs beyond immediate gratification.
What truly made these men and women so successful was their commitment to solving problems they believed must be solved, not the pursuit of money and public admiration. If your ambition for greatness is driven by wealth acquisitiveness, then forget it; you will never work harder beyond your material expectations.
History is filled with examples of greatness driven by hard work and perfectionism.
For more than a decade, Christopher Columbus worked tirelessly on his exploration of the unknown world while other men of his time continued focusing on how to meet the needs of their families by making ends meet. Columbus’s dedication to his vision, despite the skepticism and hardships, ultimately led to the discovery of the Americas, changing the course of history.
Thomas Edison was more than a workaholic; he worked even on the day he died. When doctors at one point told him to slow down, he responded that one important cure for sickness is actually work, not rest. His relentless work ethic and perfectionism resulted in over 1,000 patents and inventions that have shaped modern life, such as the electric light bulb and the phonograph.
Nikola Tesla, too, was so consumed by hard work and a quest for perfection that he dedicated his entire life to his inventions and research, to the point of not getting married or having a family beyond the pigeons he spent time feeding. Tesla’s contributions to the development of alternating current (AC) electricity supply systems and numerous other innovations have left a lasting legacy in science and technology.
Elon Musk sleeps only a few hours, most of the time three hours. This intense work ethic allows him to lead multiple groundbreaking companies such as SpaceX, Tesla, X, and Starlink. Musk’s dedication and ability to juggle numerous high-stakes ventures are a testament to the power of hard work, focus, and an uncompromising pursuit of perfection.
Marie Curie, another great hard worker, was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields (Physics and Chemistry). She was known for her intense dedication to her research, often working late into the night in her lab despite poor conditions and health risks.
Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc., was known for his relentless pursuit of perfection and innovation, which led to his creation of revolutionary products such as the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook. Jobs’s vision and hard work have left an indelible mark on the tech industry and changed how people interact with technology.
The common thread among these great individuals is their unwavering dedication to their work, their perfectionism, and their introverted focus on achieving their goals. They demonstrate that success is not about momentary efforts but about sustained, hard work and a relentless drive to reach new heights.
So, if you want to be successful with extraordinary achievements, you must lead your journey with full commitment and never shy away from the hard work required to make your vision a reality. Let your motivation be solving meaningful problems, not just the pursuit of wealth and public admiration.
I couldn’t be more impressed by Deji’s extremely hard work and perfectionist dedication to our projects. I’m impressed because all my life I thought I was the only one who couldn’t wait to solve a problem and continue until I’m satisfied. But the suddenness with which Deji has joined in my work ethic gives me immense joy knowing that there’s someone there to always help me, if not lead the battle himself.
