What is your best long-term investment?
Think about your hero...
Do you think this person achieved success "without effort and diligence" but thanks to some special ability?
Probably not.
And the amazing part is -
Once you discover the effort and diligence invested in their achievements, you will appreciate them even more!
Just before I answer the question we started with, let me tell you another gem about the power of effort and diligence...
What message would we convey to our children if we told them: "Wow, you did that really fast!"? Or - "Look, you didn't make any mistakes!"?
We educate our children (and were even told when we were young) that 'speed' and 'perfection' are important - fundamentally wrong and destructive.
Quick success is the worst teacher for any person - at any age - and in any field!
And especially children - children eventually think:
''My parents praise me for being smart when I do things quickly and perfectly, so I prefer not to try anything difficult.''
And this thing can ruin their entire adult lives!
So what should we tell our children when they solve a difficult problem quickly and perfectly?
Well - when that happens, I say:
"Oh, that problem was too easy. I'm sorry I made you solve such an easy problem. Let's solve a problem from which you can really learn something!"
Difficulty is important - without difficulty there is no growth - no one has achieved anything admirable without facing difficulties.
Be diligent, make an effort, be winners - and that's how you'll educate your children too.
In the long run - this is your best and most rewarding investment.