Forge of Life

"Through endurance we conquer."
~Ernest Shakelton~

Of all the success principles and ideals, the notion of endurance and persistance are paramount.  This is the fulcrum upon which balances success. Even scripture speaks of "enduring to the end".  In fitness, endurance is where work translates into exhaustion, a position where muscle growth becomes possible. I have heard of a concept called Transcendental Training.  This is where, in basic terms, you get your mind to disassociate from the body as you train. By doing so we create two powerful tools for the road to success.
First, by removing your mind from the technical stress of the situation, you allow the mind to focus on the significance of why you are doing the activity in the first place. One does not get lost in the trees for the sake of the forest.
Secondly, once "muscle memory" takes over an activity it is from then on done with unconscious competence, something you can do in your sleep if called upon.
Imagine success becoming something done by muscle memory, by being unconsciously competent with what it takes to be successful. It is in this fashion that endurance becomes victory. Success, victory, conquering, they all become systematic and natural, causing the outside observer to think they are come by these easily. It is the training in the dark, enduring trial after tribulation of untold intensity, that they emerge the champion having been refined in the forge of life. 

Be the warrior poet: Be diplomatic when you can, fight when you must.