Success Requires Effort: The Power of Passion, Perseverance, and Purpose

In life, success cannot be attained without effort and dedication, for “man was born to toil”. This principle is established by the wisest of men, King Solomon, who says in Proverbs 10:4, “The hand of the diligent gets rich.” (Interestingly, the Chafetz Chaim wrote that once a person is destined for wealth, they are naturally endowed with the trait of diligence.) Success depends on effort, hard work, and perseverance.

Some might argue that people do sometimes achieve things in life without much effort- such as inheriting wealth from parents or receiving a large estate. However, these are not examples of true success because ahievements that a person does not attain through their own efforts are not considered success. True success is born of repeated effort, resilience, confronting failure, and persistence despite setbacks.

Anyone who has truly succeeded can speak of their failures along the way. As our sages taught (Gittin 43a), “A person only truly understands Torah after having stumbled in it.” Failures, then, are not only inevitable but essential- they are one of the keys to a person’s growth. Every person goes through periods of light and motivation, but also through times of darkness. Real success is measured by a person’s ability to continue moving forward and functioning through the darker times.

Enthusiasm That Succeeds

You need enthusiasm to succeed in life. This doesn’t mean someone must always show their emotions outwardly, but at least internally they must carry excitement, energy, and a drive to grow. A “cold” attitude leads to minimum effort, while maximum results come from “warm blood” and inner passion.

When a person is enthusiastic about their goals, they are less deterred by challenges. The Be’er Yosef writes that Abraham, our forefather, hosted guests even on the third day after his circumcision- despite the heat of the day. His passion for kindness overrode the pain and discomfort.

A person filled with enthusiasm doesn’t overthink the odds. Even if they’ve failed before or carry emotional burdens, they don’t let logic or fear stop them. They rise above calculations and take risks for the sake of growth and possibility.

Of course one must act wisely. But over-reliance on logic can also create limitations- a kind of glass ceiling the person struggles to break through because they trust reason too much.

Enthusiasm, joy, and aspiration can elevate a person far beyond what they thought possible. Alongside logic and realistic planning, we must make room for excitement. Don’t limit your dreams by yesterday’s doubts or logic and don’t let past failures dictate your future. Instead, strive for growth and possibility.

Face Forward

Anyone who wants to succeed must always be future-focused. While it’s important to recognize past failures and learn from them, most of our attention should be directed ahead. As some interpret the verse in Genesis 19:26: "His wife looked back and became a pillar of salt"- if you spend too much time looking backward, you’ll get stuck.

When driving, looking in the rearview mirror is important, but staring at it constantly will cause a crash. The same is true in life: we must focus mainly on the road ahead, and only glance back to gain insight.

Valuing the Journey

A successful person is driven by aspiration and a vision that fuels their imagination. They live full and meaningful lives as they strive toward their goals. Even if they don’t fully reach those goals, the journey itself is rewarding. They don’t only find joy in the destination, but also the path. As the saying goes: don’t just look for the road to happiness- find happiness along the road.

To succeed, one must set inspiring goals that spark motivation and a willingness to dedicate oneself fully. Hope is a central pillar of effort: the more hope one holds, the more energy they can devote.

Desire and aspiration are essential parts of who we are. G-d instilled in us an inner drive to never settle: “One who has 100 wants 200.” If our desires were ever fully satisfied, we’d lose all motivation to act and create.

In a healthy state, our aspirations always lead to new ones- only through dreaming and striving do we break through our perceived limits. The more a person nurtures their dreams and pushes toward something greater, the more they expand their potential and grow. 

Of course, we know that materialistic desires (such as desiring more money just to have more) aren’t inherently noble- but this doesn’t make those desires irrational- it only points out that higher aspirations should be spiritual. Still, the drive itself is natural and positive, and is the key to opening the gates of success.