Striving towards Excellence

Many of us have a high regard for Japanese products. They are sold all over the world. Many American and European companies fear the invasion of Japanese products in their markets. Let us take the example of Honda, a leading automobile manufacturer.

In the centre of this company, we find the perseverance of an ordinary Japanese man named Honda. Honda was a simple person. He wanted to design a new type of piston to improve the performance of cars. He was sure his attempt would yield path-breaking results. He offered his designs to Toyota. The engineers turned him down even without meeting him. But he did not lose heart.

His repeated attempts to meet Toyota engineers finally succeeded – but they only ridiculed him. But he did not lose heart and put in a lot of effort to convince them. Finally he obtained an order to supply pistons to Toyota.

Honda invested all his resources – money, materials, knowledge, hard work as capital and constructed a plant to produce pistons.

Suddenly, there was an earthquake in Japan that destroyed his factory. Yet, Honda had faith in his own ability. Once again, he started construction.

Just when it was ready and production was to begin, World War II broke out. Bombs rained on Japan, and most of the country was devastated. So was Honda's factory.

Although Honda lost his factory, property, wealth and friends, he did not lose his self-confidence. He continued his efforts and began to construct his factory for the third time.

Today, the Honda Car Company produces and sells more cars than Toyota.

Honda is not only an example of “perseverance”, it has also added honor to concept.

Most of us wilt when we face minor setbacks. We back out when problems recur. Successful people are always a part of a solution, not victims of problems. This is seen clearly from the life of Honda.

Einstein was dismissed from school with a remark that he was a dullard. Had he given up then, the world would never have known the greatest scientist of all times.

Norma Jean Baker was a young girl who aspired to be a model. The modelling company rejected her. She was offered the post of a clerk.

If she had buried her dreams of becoming a model, a wonderful film artiste called Marilyn Monroe would never have become the dream girl of thousands.

Music was the very life-breath for Beethoven. His hearing was impaired. At the age of 46, it became worse and finally he turned totally deaf.

For a great musician, nothing could be more devastating than this impediment.

An ordinary person would have been very distressed but Beethoven overcame the handicap.

He created great compositions including five rare symphonies.

A newspaper owner told a young artist to pursue any vocation but art because he did not possess creative ideas.

However, the young artist went on to build the Walt Disney empire through his original idea of Mickey Mouse.

In 1962, the Decca Recording Company turned down the work of the Beatles. The Beatles turned out to be great singers. “We will succeed” – this desire should burn like an ember within us.

The ember of enthusiasm should never be put off.

In order to reach the peak of success, it is only natural that one has to overcome many impediments.

Just as mountaineers face obstacles like stones, thorns, wild beasts, cold, snowstorms along the way, one has to face difficulties while progressing towards success.

If one gets disheartened and withdraws from pursuits, the joy of success will not be attainable.