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ICY DETERMINATION

POURING COLD WATER ON MEDIOCRITY

Want to hear a stunning example of excellence borne of persistence? Then listen to Beethoven's Ninth Symphony or his Hammerklavier Sonata, among the many works he composed despite being almost completely deaf.

To document his creations, Beethoven would bang the keys with one hand while holding his ear to the wooden floor of his apartment. Then he would get up, write down the notes -- then crouch down again to create several more measures of music.

This laborious process would go on for hours, often stretching late into the night. Would Beethoven ever take a break? Rarely. To fight off fatigue, he would pour buckets of cold water over his head.

So the next time you're hard at work -- whether you're composing a magnificent symphony or doing everyday work that you want to be magnificent -- think of Beethoven and exert your persistence. The ice water is optional.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Copyright 2006 Tom Terez. All rights reserved.