“Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t.” — William Shakespeare, 1603
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We admire those who keep plodding on, seemingly undaunted by setbacks and delays.
The intrepid leader and headstrong entrepreneur seem impervious to — or at least unaffected by — failure and loss, even if it means throwing good money after bad.
At a certain point, if a leader comes face to face with the ugly reality, they may determine it’s better to pack things in.
Even Hamlet grappled with this choice, wondering:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them
If we have a vision that acts as our North Star, providing us with a sense of direction, we can also imagine it as part of something bigger — an Ursa Minor of sorts — that helps give us a sense of purpose.
This entry from the Archives touches on the inner drive and vision of Beethoven, Longfellow, and a certain young man who would change the world with his storytelling:
I hope you’ll take a look and apply these examples to your situation.
And if you’d like anyone with whom to talk over your sea of troubles, my line is always open.
There’s so much to learn,
Love your substack, enjoyable & uplifting reads to be sure. Thank you