Henceforth； I will consider each day’s effort as but one blow of my blade against a mighty oak。 The first blow may cause not a tremor in the wood ； nor the second； nor the third。 Each blow； of itself； may be trifling； and seem of no consequence。 Yet from childish swipes the oak will eventually tumble。 So it will be with my efforts of today。 I will be likened to the rain drop which washes away the mountain； the ant who devours a tiger； the star which brightens the earth； the slave who builds a pyramid。 I will build my castle one brick at a time for I know that small attempts； repeated； will plete any undertaking。
I will never consider defeat and I will remove from my vocabulary such words and phrases as quit； cannot； unable； impossible； out of the question； improbable； failure； unworkable； hopeless； and retreat； for they are the words of fools。 I will avoid despair but if this disease of the mind should infect me then I will work on in despair。 I will toil and I will endure。 I will ignore the obstacles at my feet and keep my eyes on the goals above my head； for I know that where dry desert ends； green grass grows。
I will remember the ancient law of averages and I will bend it to my good。 I will persist with knowledge that each failure will increase my chance for success at the next attempt。 Each nay I hear will bring me closer to the sound of yea。 Each frown I meet only prepares me for the smile to e。 Each misfortune I encounter will carry in it the seed of tomorrow’s good luck。 I must have the night to appreciate the day。 I must fail often to succeed only once。
I will try； and try； and try again。 Each obstacle I will consider as a mere detour to my goal and a challenge to my profession。 I will persist and develop my skills as the mariner develo