Blakkbox Lifestyle

It’s easy to criticize, to sit back and say where others should have done this, or should’ve done that. But this quote, an excerpt from Theodore Roosevelt’s “Citizen in a Republic” speech, captures TR’s philosophy of what is truly important in life:

Rule: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” – Theodore Roosevelt

Memorize this quote. Let it sink in. Be the man in the arena, let others think what they may. If you don’t have haters, you’re not doing it right.

Rule: ”We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle (as paraphrased by Will Durant)

Some people may catch a lucky break and some will have success handed to them. These people are the minority.

Want to get in shape? Make exercise and healthy eating a habit. Not something you try for two weeks and give up. When it becomes a habit, learn and refine as you go. The results you’re after will follow.

Want to have a job you love? Find something you can do to help others. Make sure it’s something you love or you will never do it consistently. Then do it.

Oversimplification? Yes. But the principle of the matter is the important thing. Rome wasn’t built in a day, or so they say, and personal excellence isn’t either.