Is Determination Important in School, in Life, In Organizations?

I recently came across this great video clip of the movie "Facing the Giants". You won't regret taking a few minutes to watch the video ... it is a great example of persistance and determination.

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We had our Parent-Teacher conferences this week, and a parent asked me "why do you have the motivational posters in the boys toilets?".

Well, I put the posters in the toilets because students are "captive viewers", and it is pretty hard to ignore them :)

I put the posters up because they happen to be true - like this quote by Vince Lombardi "The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will."

In school, we see the students who have the "ability", but not the determination or persistence. Then we see the students with more motivation than ability, and amazingly enough - success comes down to determination and persistence than just ability. It has been my experience that an average student with dogged determination, persistence, and good habits does better than the brilliant student who has little motivation or determination.

What are your thoughts? What do you think is more important - ability or determination?

Be sure to watch the video!