Download pdf - The Line of Departure - Press Onward

Press Onward!

"Press on: nothing in the world can take the place of perseverance.

Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with

talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.

Education will not; the world is full

and determination alone are omnipotent."

-- Calvin Coolidge

Setbacks are common, delays are unavoidable, however, you cannot win

if you do not finish. Persistence is often all that is required to trump

talent. And genius, while admired, is often analytical to a fault and short

on action.

In researching the traits of highly successful people from various endeavors, this simple formula appears

quite prevalent: Plan your day to start with a bias toward actio

morning, get your mind and body in gear. Conduct at least 30 minutes of research daily and brush up on

current events. Stay informed!!!

Margaret Thatcher, the first female Prime Minister of Britain (often referr

Condoleezza Rice, the first African American woman to serve as the U

as U.S. Secretary of State often spoke of perseverance and the importance of sticking to a schedule.

"You may have to fight a battle more than once in order to win it."

“The most important thing in finding balance is to schedule it in.”

Successful people of every ethnicity, gender and faith have relied upon perseverance to break

glass ceilings and overcome what many saw as insurmountable obstacles. Ultimately, I believe we make

most of our own luck, and we do so through setting goals and planning to achieve them. As one of our

nations’ founding fathers said:

“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!”

Great coaches have always understood the importance of determination: We shall cross the line of

departure with a quote from a man who was arguably one of the greatest coaches of all time:

“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge,

but rather a lack in will.” -Vince Lombardi

Semper Fi,

Sgt. Maj. Michael E. Sprague / Force Headquarters Group

"Press on: nothing in the world can take the place of perseverance.

Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with

talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.

Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence

and determination alone are omnipotent."

Setbacks are common, delays are unavoidable, however, you cannot win

if you do not finish. Persistence is often all that is required to trump

nt. And genius, while admired, is often analytical to a fault and short


Plan your day to start with a bias toward action. Schedule physical activity early in the


Margaret Thatcher, the first female Prime Minister of Britain (often referred to as the “Iron Lady”) and

the first African American woman to serve as the U.S. National Security Adviser and


t a battle more than once in order to win it." -- Margaret Thatcher

“The most important thing in finding balance is to schedule it in.” - Condoleezza Rice

Successful people of every ethnicity, gender and faith have relied upon perseverance to break



to plan, you are planning to fail!” -Benjamin Franklin



difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge,

Vince Lombardi

Force Headquarters Group / Marine Forces Reserve


n. Schedule physical activity early in the


ed to as the “Iron Lady”) and

National Security Adviser and


Margaret Thatcher

Successful people of every ethnicity, gender and faith have relied upon perseverance to break through





difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge,