Lean Quote: Desire is the Key to Motivation, But It's Commitment You Need for Success

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve.

"Desire is the key to motivation, but it's determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek." — Mario Andretti

I picked today's quote in part because I am on my way to the NASCAR race in New Hampshire this weekend and in part from it's lesson. Desire and drive to win (no pun intended) can't be replaced by tools, technology, or engineering. You still need a commitment to attaining your goal to win. Winners aren’t afraid of challenges, they go after them. Winning isn’t something that is handed to you. You must do the preparatory, ground work if you’re going to win. This translates into our lives and our work in the same manner. To improve you must truly want to change and be willing to work hard to make it successful. It is this desire that sets successful individuals apart from others.

Without commitment, success is just but a far away dream. It is the force originating from within you that seeks to bring out the potential in you and drive you to your destiny.

It is the desire of many to achieve success but a determined person is never satisfied until he gets what he is after. Commitment is what motivates one to strive and work hard towards success; therefore without it one tends to walk blindly and without purpose.

Just how committed are you?

Answer that for yourself and really take a good look at your reasons for starting that idea in the first place. Because if your desire and commitment lack drive, the necessary skills or bucket loads of patience you will ultimately fail in your personal quest, whatever that may be.

The commitments you make and the actions you take with enthusiastic determination will bring you the success you are now envisioning.