US President Abraham Lincoln was an excellent example of determination. Though he lost businesses and fought bankruptcy, he never quit. Though he lost many elections, he never lost sight of his goal of becoming president. Though he was adamantly opposed by many, he stuck to his principles and lead the country through a tremendously difficult time. He was a man of integrity. He never gave up. He persevered. He showed extreme resolve.
I honor Abraham Lincoln on his 200th birthday. The following are a few of my favorite quotes attributed to Honest Abe:
“Things may come to those who wait, but only what’s left behind by those that hustle.”
“Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it.”
“Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.”
“Perhaps a man’s character was like a tree, and his reputation like its shadow; the shadow is what we think of it, the tree is the real thing.”
“Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today.”
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The Product Management Perspective: As a product manager, your determination to work effectively with other members of your team will make all the difference.
Lead on Purpose 
February 12, 2009 at 6:06 pm
I read a blog post earlier today on the Product Management View. I think it was called something like Product Mangers cant fail or can they. Val, the author, made some points about dealing with adversity and failure that when combined with your post really struck a cord. As I drove to an Austin SPIN meeting tonight it hit me that with all the turmoil in the economy, people being laid off, and going bankrupt, the people are still the same quality people with determination. Things will change… who cares, what is important is who we are and who we are becoming.
February 14, 2009 at 7:41 am
Byron, thanks for your comment. You make an excellent point about the importance of who we are becoming. We need to have a clear understanding of where we are heading and push forward with determination. The result will be what we have envisioned. -Michael