Day 3: Embrace Diligence — The Edison Formula for Excellence
There are times when God asks you to walk straight into the storm — to take on a task that, by every natural measure, should sink you. But He does not call the qualified. He qualifies the called.
This 100-day plan is rooted in the principle of the 20-Mile March — steady, disciplined progress, no matter the weather, no matter the weight.
It unfolds in three phases:
Mindset (Days 1–30): Build the internal foundation.
Strategy (Days 31–60): Shape the path with clarity.
Execution (Days 61–100): Walk it out in faith and precision.
Each day brings a distilled principle from the wisdom of Scripture, success literature, and lived resilience — designed to build upon the last.
This is Day 3. Let’s begin.
“Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.” — Thomas Edison
You’ve Defined Your Purpose. You’ve Committed to Consistency. Now, It’s Time to Master Diligence.
The difference between dreamers and achievers is not just talent, luck, or motivation — it’s diligence.
Diligence is a learnable skill — it’s the ability to show up every single day, put in the work, and refine your efforts until you achieve excellence. It’s not just about grinding; it’s about working smart, improving constantly, and refusing to accept mediocrity.
No one embodied this principle better than Thomas Edison — a man who revolutionized the world through relentless, intelligent effort.
Thomas Edison: The Master of Diligence
Thomas Edison wasn’t a one-hit wonder. He didn’t stumble upon success overnight. He pursued excellence with an unmatched level of diligence, holding over 1,000 patents and refining his ideas with tireless persistence.
His most famous invention, the light bulb, wasn’t a stroke of luck — it was the result of over 10,000 failed attempts.
When asked how he felt about failing thousands of times, Edison didn’t see failure — he saw progress:
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
This is true diligence — the ability to push forward, refine your approach, and continue improving until success is inevitable.
Edison’s Approach to Excellence:
Relentless Experimentation — He tested thousands of materials before perfecting the light bulb.
Smart Work, Not Just Hard Work — He documented failures and refined his approach systematically.
Commitment to High-Quality Results — He didn’t stop at “good enough”; he pursued breakthroughs.
This is the Edison Formula for Excellence — diligence combined with strategic, intelligent effort.
Your Challenge: Work with Diligence and Excellence
If you want to achieve something great in the next 100 days, you must do the work — and do it well. That means avoiding shortcuts, eliminating distractions, and refining your approach daily.
Ask yourself these three questions today:
1. What does excellence look like in my daily work, and how can I ensure I meet that standard?
(Define what “high-quality results” mean for your goal — clarity ensures you don’t settle for mediocrity.)
2. How can I work smarter, not just harder, to maximize my efforts each day?
(Diligence isn’t just about persistence — it’s about strategic effort. Identify habits, tools, or time-management strategies that enhance productivity.)
3. What obstacles or distractions tend to slow me down, and how will I eliminate or overcome them?
(Diligence means showing up at your best, even when conditions aren’t ideal. Recognizing and addressing inefficiencies will keep you consistent.)
Your Excellence Starts Today
Edison didn’t wait for inspiration. He didn’t work only when he felt like it. He committed to daily, diligent work — and because of that, he changed the world.
Now it’s your turn.
• Put in the work.
• Refine your process.
• Refuse to settle for average.
Because excellence isn’t an accident — it’s a result of diligent effort, every single day.
