Here is this week’s Monday Morning Message from Wm. H. Danforth, founder of Ralston Purina: What is the Monday Morning Message?
When we were in Spain we heard much of the persistence of Christopher Columbus in winning good Queen Isabella’s promise to finance his voyage of discovery. But could there be a greater example of persistency than those subsequent days described in his diary written in 1492?
Sept. 22—Today, we sailed due westward.
Sept. 23—Today, we sailed due westward.
Sept. 24—Today, we sailed due westward.
Oct. 8—Today, we sailed due westward.
Oct. 9—Today, we sailed due westward.
Oct. 10—Today, we sailed due westward.
Oct. 11—Today, we sailed due westward.
Oct. 12—Land!
Then, when we visited Old Carthage in Tunisia, Africa, we saw the ruins of that once magnificent city. Again we heard a marvelous story of persistence.
Marcus Portius Cato, in 157 B.C., was sent to Carthage to arbitrate between the Carthaginians and Numidians. Here he was so struck with the evidence of Carthaginian prosperity that he was convinced the security of Rome depended upon the annihilation of Carthage.
So, in and out of season, Cato kept repeating, “Delenda est Carthage!” (Carthage must be destroyed.) He never made a speech in the Senate on any subject without winding up with this slogan, “Carthage must be destroyed.” This simple repetition eventually brought war and Carthage fell before the Romans. Carthaginian civilization was utterly and completely destroyed.
Let’s label the next seven days ” Persistence Week.” Again may we concentrate on just one particular task and have the satisfaction as the week ends of saying, “PERSISTENCE WON.”
Often, we accept failure when success is right around the corner. We will never know how often we gave up when just a little more effort—a bit more persistence—would have brought success.
This week, instead of quickly saying, “This doesn’t work,” “I can’t do this,” or “I never succeed at anything,” commit to giving your best and persisting until you reach your goal.