I have always loved this quote. I love it more now than ever. But, unfortunately, we live in a culture where there is an increasing expectation of experiencing success without putting in the work. And well -- that just doesn't work. It never has, and it never will.

We will never experience success apart from putting in the work because the work, the grit, and the effort itself are non-negotiable ingredients of success.

I love to make homemade deep-dish pizza from time to time. My pizza is incredible if I do say so myself. But imagine if I invited you over to my house to treat you to some of my amazing deep-dish pizza, and I decided to make it without mozzarella cheese. Anybody I know who loves excellent pizza knows that mozzarella cheese is a non-negotiable and necessary ingredient. You might eat it with a smile on your face, but on the inside, you would be saying to yourself, "What is Bill thinking? This isn't deep-dish pizza. He forgot the cheese!" And you would be right.