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Jensen Huang, the co-founder and CEO of NVIDIA, exemplifies the idea that achieving extraordinary things requires extraordinary effort. Reflecting on his journey, he said, "It's an extraordinary thing, Bill, that a normal dishwasher busboy could grow up to be this. There's no magic. It's just 61 years of hard work every single day." Huang's story is a testament to the power of relentless effort and dedication.
Photo: I-HWA CHENG—AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
During an interview, Huang was described as demanding, a perfectionist, and not easy to work for. His response?
It should be like that. If you want to do extraordinary things, it shouldn't be easy."
This attitude has driven NVIDIA to the forefront of the technology industry, revolutionizing graphics processing and artificial intelligence.
Another entrepreneur who embodies this philosophy is Thomas Edison. Known for his tireless work ethic, Edison famously said,
"Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration."
His persistence led to the invention of the electric light bulb after thousands of failed attempts. Edison’s dedication to his vision, despite numerous setbacks, illustrates that significant achievements come from sustained effort and resilience.
Similarly, Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, has often spoken about the importance of hard work and perseverance. She once said,
"There is no substitute for hard work. There is no such thing as an overnight success or easy money."
Nooyi’s rise to the top of a global corporation was marked by her relentless drive and commitment to excellence, proving that extraordinary success is a product of extraordinary effort.
A case study that highlights this principle is the story of SpaceX. Founded by Elon Musk, SpaceX faced numerous challenges in its early years, including several failed rocket launches. Despite the setbacks, Musk and his team persisted. Their hard work paid off when SpaceX successfully launched and landed the Falcon 1 rocket, marking the first privately developed spacecraft to reach orbit. Musk’s journey with SpaceX underscores the idea that achieving remarkable feats requires enduring difficult times and learning from failures.
The same principle applies to Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx. Blakely started her company with $5,000 in savings and faced countless rejections from potential manufacturers and investors. However, her determination and belief in her product never wavered. Today, Spanx is a billion-dollar business, and Blakely is one of the most successful self-made women in the world. Her story is a powerful reminder that the path to extraordinary success is often paved with challenges and hard work.
In conclusion, the stories of Jensen Huang, Thomas Edison, Indra Nooyi, Elon Musk, and Sara Blakely all illustrate a common truth: if you want to achieve extraordinary things, it shouldn’t be easy. These individuals have shown that relentless effort, perseverance, and a willingness to endure hardship are essential ingredients for success. Whether you’re inventing a new technology, leading a global corporation, or launching a groundbreaking product, the journey will be tough, but the results can be extraordinary.
Listen to Jensen: