Quitters Never Win, Winners Never Quit!

When we hear about success, we usually hear the ending. The bestselling book. The global brand. The recognition. What we don’t hear much about are the difficult chapters that came before – the rejection, the false starts, and the moments when giving up felt like the sensible option.
 
Yet when you look closely, many success stories follow the same pattern: struggle first, progress later.
 
 
Dr Seuss
 
Take Dr Seuss. Twenty-seven publishers rejected his first children’s book. That’s twenty-seven people saying, “No, this isn’t for us.” Most of us would have stopped long before that point.
 
But he didn’t. The twenty-eighth publisher said yes, and his books went on to sell six hundred million copies, helping generations of children learn to read. His talent didn’t suddenly appear – his persistence made the difference.
 
 
Coca Cola
 
The same is true in business. In its first year, The Coca-Cola Company sold only around nine drinks a day. That doesn’t sound like success. It sounds like failure.
 
But the company kept going, refined the idea, and stayed patient. Today, Coca-Cola is one of the most recognised brands in the world. Early results did not define the outcome.
 
 
Henry Ford
 
Failure also played a significant role in innovation. Henry Ford went bankrupt twice while trying to build a car company. Twice, everything collapsed. Instead of seeing this as proof, he should stop; he treated it as learning.
 
He adjusted, tried again, and eventually helped change how the world manufactures cars. Today, Ford is the second-largest American-based motor company and the fifth biggest worldwide.
 
 
Albert Einstein
 
Rejection even appears in science. In 1905, a university rejected a PhD dissertation written by Albert Einstein, describing it as “irrelevant and fanciful.”
 
That must have been crushing. But he didn’t stop thinking or writing. He carried on – and his ideas later reshaped our understanding of the universe.
 
 
Many less famous stories quietly carry the same message.
 
Vera Wang failed early. She failed to make the Olympic figure skating team and later missed out on becoming editor-in-chief at Vogue. Rather than seeing these moments as dead ends, she changed direction.
 
She entered fashion in her forties and went on to build one of the world’s most recognised bridal brands. Her story reminds us that it’s never too late to start again.
 
 
What links all these stories is not luck or confidence. It’s the decision to keep going when progress feels slow and setbacks feel personal.
 
Often, failure isn’t a sign to stop. It’s a sign that you’re still learning.
 
 
Three Key Takeaways 

• Failure is often part of the process – Many successful people struggled long before things worked.
• A slow or difficult start doesn’t decide your future – Early setbacks don’t predict where you’ll end up.
• Persistence matters more than perfection – Keeping going is usually more important than getting it right first time.

 
 
Looking Ahead to 2026
 
As we move into 2026, remember this: you do not need everything figured out. You don’t need a perfect plan, total confidence, or a flawless track record. You only need the courage to keep going.
 
Whatever 2025 brought you, success, disappointment, loss, progress, or quiet survival, it has shaped you, not defined you. The lessons you’ve learned, especially the hard ones, are not wasted. They are preparation.
 
2026 doesn’t need a different version of you. It requires the real you, wiser, steadier, and still willing to try again.
 
So as the new year approaches, be kind to yourself. Take one small step. Keep showing up. Trust that consistency beats intensity, and patience beats panic.
 
 
Thoughts for the Week

1. What challenge might be a chapter, not the end of your story?
2. Where could you show a little more patience with yourself?
3. What small step could you take today, even if it feels uncomfortable?

 
Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is not quit but keep going.
 
Because the next chapter of your story may not look dramatic at first, but it could be the one that changes everything.
 
And sometimes, the bravest resolution you can make for a new year is simply this:
 
“I will not quit.”
 
 
I wish you every success in 2026. Please do keep me posted on how the year unfolds for you. I’d genuinely love to hear how things progress and to celebrate small victories and successes with you.
 
Happy New Year!
 
Warm regards,
 
John

https://jdmindcoach.com/product/off-the-wall-how-to-develop-world-class-mental-resilience/