You can’t think about famous American innovators without thinking of Thomas Alva Edison, the inventor of the light bulb.

It’s physically impossible.

Thomas Edison illustrates the secret of famous innovators. Yes, they were smart. But more than that, they were determined. He himself once said after a multitude of failures, “I haven’t failed; I’ve just uncovered 99 ways to not build a light bulb!”

Determination is the one driving force that seems to outline every successful entrepreneur or inventor. Edison, along with Alexander Graham Bell, Henry Ford, and Albert Einstein, seemed to each be defined by this one common success factor.

As Edison himself said, “Be courageous- because there will be a lot of challenges that will interfere your way. It is normal to have your weaknesses but be brave enough to face it. There are situations where you need to be strong enough to handle it. Be strong enough to face the realities of life. Have faith- especially in yourself. No one will believe in you the way you do. You can see exactly what you want to be. Believe in your dreams. They are the ones that you need for you to start the first step. In the absence of such, it will lead you to nowhere. This will always direct you to the right path towards your dreams. Go forward- never quit. They always say that the only way is up. The rule is never go back when you have clearly establish in yourself the place where you wanted to be. Do not be tired of achieving your dream. Always think that there is no place of having second thoughts. Go where you want to belong.”