THP: President Calvin Coolidge it is my privilege to interview you and have you share your insights with our readers. Let’s get right to the questions.
THP: How can a person improve themself?
Mr. Coolidge: All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work.
THP: How do you feel about the nickname you were given, “Silent Cal”?
“I have never been hurt by what I have not said.”
Mr. Coolidge: The words of a President have an enormous weight and ought not to be used indiscriminately. I have never been hurt by what I have not said. You can’t know too much, but you can say too much.
THP: You have a lot of knowledge about critics. 🙂 What is the key to pushing through those voices and distractions?
Mr. Coolidge: I have found it advisable not to give too much heed to what people say when I am trying to accomplish something of consequence. Invariably they proclaim it can’t be done. I deem that the very best time to make the effort. If I had permitted my failures, or what seemed to me at the time a lack of success, to discourage me I cannot see any way in which I would ever have made progress.
THP: I understand, but at the same time, distractions can influence us greatly. Sometimes those very distractions paralyze our efforts. How do we keep our focus?
“…don’t be a stand-patter”
Mr.Coolidge: Do the day’s work. If it be to protect the rights of the weak, whoever objects, do it. If it be to help a powerful corporation better to serve the people, whatever the opposition, do that. Expect to be called a stand-patter, but don’t be a stand-patter. Expect to be called a demagogue, but don’t be a demagogue. Don’t hesitate to be as revolutionary as science. Don’t hesitate to be as reactionary as the multiplication table.
THP: What had the most influence on your success? What could you share with the readers that might guide them in reaching their goals?
“Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”
Mr. Coolidge: Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated failures. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
End-
Live it LOUD!
P.S. “Those who trust to chance must abide by the results of chance.”
~ John Calvin Coolidge, Jr.
What an awesome idea for a post! I love the way you interviewed the uninterviewable!
Hard work and persistence is the difference between the successful (however you choose to define it) and those who just never quite seem to be able to get their goals and plans and actions lined up right.
Thanks for the awesome motivation and for the awesome format!
Hey Ken,
The thing about “those who just never quite seem to be able to get their goals and plans and actions lined up right” is today can be that day for anyone. They only have to decide on it.
I’m glad you enjoyed the format, as I was on the fence about it for a while. Wasn’t sure folks would get it. Obviously, it does work, and more to come.
Live it LOUD!
Hi Rob,
I love this, too. When I started reading, I thought maybe you were channeling or something. 🙂 Very cool.
And I’ll agree with old Cal – persistence is king. Even if you’re not perfect and you don’t have all the answers, if you just keep plugging away, you can’t lose. You’ll get there eventually. Every super successful person has backed that up.
Hugs!
Melody
Hey Melody,
For a man who was nicknamed “Silent Cal” he did have a bit to say, didn’t he?
I love the ‘just keep plugging away’. When I look back on most failure that I’ve had, it stemmed from quitting too soon. The best view is from the top of the mountain, but you have to keep climbing to get there.
Thanks for the good words (and hugs).
Live it LOUD!
wow that’s very clever, and really good use of words!! love you son, and am so proud of you.
Wow…Surprise Guest,
The cleverness runs in the family, I’m told. By the way, you look way better in real life 🙂 🙂
Thanks for the encouragement, as even encouragers can use encouraging. I’ve been encouraged!
Love the Live it LOUDER,
Rob (Son)
Rob,
HAHA I love this concept. It’s been a long time since I’ve logged into my reader account, but I’m glad to see that you’re keeping up with your crazy ideas!
I actually taking a leadership class right now and today we had a lengthy discussion on displaying leadership through influence. A lot of times this means talking a lot to persuade people to buy into your ideas etc. How do you think Mr. Coolidge managed to reach such a place of leadership and influence by being such a quiet person?
Hey Paul,
“I’m a wild and crazy guy.”
-Steve Martin, and then, Rob
With Cal (as I know him), there was a lot to choose from one who was considered silent. When he spoke, it mattered.
This next quote is attributed to Lincoln, Twain or a paraphrase of Proverbs 17:28 (depending on the resource),
“It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt.”
I believe the main contributing factor to the success of Mr. Coolidge was integrity. He refused to run for President another term because he counted finishing Harding’s (died of heart attack) term as one. He was a firm believer in a two term limit which hadn’t yet been enacted. I believe he made choices based upon convictions, not votes.
That’s real influence.
If you have a conviction about a said idea or product, it will be easier to persuade. Your excitement and conviction will show through.
Keep knocking it out of the park, Paul. And…
Live it LOUD!
Hey Mike,
I ‘m glad you enjoyed. It was a fun piece to do and I have more coming…so stay tuned!
Live it LOUD!
Rob, What a unique idea – an interview with silent Cal who actually had many good things to say. I never knew the last quote (not the PS) came from him, and it’s one that I’ve used as my motto over the years. In fact, I never knew much about this president at all so this is a good way to get to know him. Please write more posts/interviews like this one.
Also, I’ve said it before but I’d like to repeat that I love the way you use statistics, historical information, and now Calvin Coolidge to support your motivating and inspiring messages.
Hey Penelope,
It is always wonderful when you stop. 🙂
As far as the last quote by Cal, and you using it as your motto. The first time I tell a story I might say, “as Abe Lincoln used to say…”
The next time I tell the story I say, “A famous man once said…”
The last time I tell the story I say, “Like I always say…” 🙂
Cal had a way with words, as do you. Thanks for the encouragement. And, keep visiting as I have a few more on the way.
Live it LOUD!
How can a person improve them self? Simple but great question. It always starts on yourself before others. As we are facing everyday in different people, lessons are adding to our inner elf to make our self improve and to be a better person.
Wow, wonderful adicve.There’s no such thing as a magic wand or over night success. The saying used to be its not what you know but who you know. But widening your opportunities is always advantageous with education. That takes high persistence and focus. The adicve I was given by a tutor was two fold. Firstly complete assignments. That will usually produce a pass. Secondly, don’t study to learn to be good at something. Study at what you’re already natural with. That’s 50% of the battle won already. Then when you get your degree, be persistent in using it for a job. My personal maxim is never listen to uneducated or untravelled people. They are usually stuck in a rut they can’t get out of.
Both. Depends. Whenever I see the word “nothing” (or never, or always, or some other aosilutbsm) I can’t help it, my mind instantly fills up with all kinds of exceptions! ;PLike, what does it mean to be successful? Persistence might be the motor for the talent, or the genius, but I don’t know if it goes anywhere on its own, without direction, without some educated or inspired focus.Certainly makes me think though :)May the most persistent man (or woman) succeed.
Hey Abbo,
Great points. I’m in the Coolidge camp with persistence. I think in the end it trumps talent and genius. Who the greatest is at any one endeavor may never be known because of not seeing it through. All the pieces may fit except persistence and it will all be for naught.
Have a great day and remember to…
Live it LOUD!