“The three great essentials to achieve anything worth while are: Hard work, Stick-to-itiveness, and Common sense.”
- February 11, 1847 – October 18, 1931
- European American
- Inventor and businessman
- The “king of inventors” who obtained over 1,000 patents, including the practical application of the incandescent light bulb
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Quote
“The three great essentials to achieve anything worth while are: Hard work, Stick-to-itiveness, and Common sense.”
Explanation
In this quote, Edison distills his formula for success into three core principles: hard work, persistence, and practicality. He underscores the idea that achieving meaningful goals requires not just effort, but also the determination to keep going and the ability to make sound, practical decisions along the way. Edison himself was famous for his tireless work ethic and his refusal to give up on difficult problems, whether they were technical challenges or broader obstacles in his personal life. His use of “stick-to-itiveness” emphasizes the need to be resilient and consistent, never letting setbacks derail progress.
This idea holds great relevance in today’s competitive world, where success is often determined by persistence and resourcefulness. Whether in entrepreneurship, science, or education, people must be willing to put in the hard work required to achieve their goals, and also maintain a practical, sensible approach. For example, many successful startups began with founders who were not afraid to work long hours, stick to their vision, and apply common sense to solve problems as they arose, rather than relying solely on luck or external factors. Edison’s emphasis on these simple yet powerful principles suggests that success is less about brilliance and more about grit and pragmatic thinking.
On a personal level, Edison’s quote encourages us to focus on what we can control: our own effort and attitude. It reminds us that success is built through consistent effort, the willingness to keep going even when things get tough, and the ability to approach challenges with a clear and practical mindset. Instead of seeking shortcuts or waiting for opportunities to appear, Edison’s message is one of taking responsibility and being proactive—applying hard work, persistence, and common sense to get things done.
