Don't undertake a project unless it is manifestly important and nearly impossible.
Edwin LandRead
Intense concentration for hour after hour can bring out resources in people that they didn't know they had.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Focused effort over time can reveal hidden abilities within individuals.
This quote by Edwin Land emphasizes the power of sustained concentration and dedication in unlocking people's potential. When individuals invest time and effort into a task, they can discover talents and capabilities they may not have previously recognized, leading to personal growth and accomplishment.
Themes
ConcentrationPotentialEffortGrowthDedication
In practice
Example use cases
To motivate a team during a long project, I might say this quote to encourage persistence.
More from Edwin Land
All quotes βIndustry is best at the intersection of science and art.
Edwin LandRead
I believe quite simply that the small company of the future will be as much a research organization as it is a manufacturing company.
Edwin LandRead
It is a curious property of research activity that after the problem has been solved the solution seems obvious. This is true not only for those who have not previously been acquainted with the problem, but also for those who have worked over it for years.
Edwin LandRead
My motto is very personal and may not fit anyone else or any other company. It is: Don't do anything that someone else can do. Don't undertake a project unless it is manifestly important and nearly impossible.
Edwin LandRead
Work only on problems that are manifestly important and seem to be nearly impossible to solve. That way you will have a natural market for your product and no competition.
Edwin LandRead
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