Values Quotes – Josh Billings on Concentration
Today’s quote is from Josh Billings, the pen name of 19th century humorist Henry Wheeler Shaw. In his time, he was considered the second most famous humor writer and lecturer in the United State – after Mark Twain.
A famous quote of Billings was:
“Consider the postage stamp. It secures success through its ability to stick to one thing till it gets there.”
Billings was referring to the value of concentration. When we concentrate on just one thing, until the mission or purpose of that one thing has been completed, then we will experience the joy of success.
As a differentiating value, Concentration means complete attention; intense mental effort.
We all have limited attention to give to things. If we divide our mental effort and spread it across many different initiatives, guess what happens? Nothing. Nothing gets done.
But if we focus with our complete attention, and intensify our mental efforts onto one thing, then something wonderful happens. Accomplishments. Achievements. Success.
Even in this digital age, I encourage you to consider the power of the postage stamp. If we apply the value of concentration, we can see that our goals are safely delivered to their intended destination.
Today’s value was selected from the “Determination-Focus” category, based on the e-book Developing Your Differentiating Value.
