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14. Work Hard, Be Steady

Keep walking the road

 You must have a high threshold for frustration. Take it from the guy who was turned down by every studio in Hollywood. You must knock on doors until your knuckles bleed. Doors will slam in your face. You must pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and knock again. It’s the only way to achieve your goals in life.

– Michael Uslan
Commencement Address at Indiana University, 2006


 Just remember, you can’t climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pockets.

– Arnold Schwarzenegger
Commencement Address at Southern California, 2009


 You’ll find out that nothing that comes easy is worth a dime. As a matter of fact, I never saw a football player make a tackle with a smile on his face. Never.

– Woody Hayes
Commencement Address at Ohio State University, 1986


 I’ve learned that I can pretty much do anything I’ve wanted to as long as I was methodical and diligent about it. It may not sound very exciting really, but it works!

– Jamie Hyneman
Commencement Address at Villanova University, 2010


 It is likely that human beings will find fulfillment and will be rewarded for the same qualities that they have been rewarded for 5,000 years. And that is intelligence, hard work, honesty, a sense of character, loyalty to family and friends, and above all love and faith.

– Fareed Zakaria
Commencement Address at Bate, 2009


 I don’t believe in luck, I believe in preparation.

– Bobby Knight
Commencement Address at Trine University, 2010