Work hard. And have patience. Because no matter who you are

The legendary pitcher Randy Johnson, whose towering presence and fiery fastball etched his name into the annals of baseball, once declared: “Work hard. And have patience. Because no matter who you are, you're going to get hurt in your career and you have to be patient to get through the injuries.” These words, though spoken from the battlefield of sport, carry truths that echo across all of life. They remind us that the road to mastery is paved not only with hard work, but also with patience in the face of pain and setbacks. For no path of greatness is free of wounds, and no victory comes without endurance.

To work hard is to dedicate oneself with unwavering discipline. Johnson knew the grind of endless practices, the repetition of throws, the strengthening of body and mind. Yet he also knew that effort alone is not enough. For even the strongest fall prey to injuries, failures, and unexpected trials. It is in these moments that the second treasure, patience, reveals its power. Hard work drives progress forward, but patience steadies the spirit when progress halts, when pain and waiting seem unbearable. Together, they form the twin pillars of resilience.

The history of athletes and warriors alike proves this truth. Consider the story of Muhammad Ali, whose career was marked not only by triumphs in the ring but also by years of exile from boxing. His strength was not only in his fists but in his patience — the ability to endure the waiting, the criticism, and the uncertainty. When he returned, his greatness shone even brighter. Johnson’s words echo this lesson: the injuries of life — whether physical, emotional, or spiritual — demand patience as much as they demand labor.

Even beyond the realm of sport, this law governs human endeavor. The artist, after long hours of creation, will face rejection. The scholar, after years of study, will stumble upon failure. The leader, after striving for justice, will meet resistance and betrayal. In all these callings, the moment of injury arrives. It may not be a torn muscle, but it is a wound nonetheless. Without patience, discouragement devours the heart. With patience, the wound becomes a teacher, the delay becomes a season of growth, and the journey continues toward triumph.

Randy Johnson himself bore these trials. He faced surgeries, setbacks, and the wear of age, yet he returned time and again to the mound, fueled by both hard work and patience. His words are not theory but testimony — carved from the sweat of the field and the long nights of recovery. His greatness was not only in the speed of his pitch, but in the endurance of his spirit. This is the heroic dimension of his quote: it is a battle cry not to despair when struck down, but to rise again through patience.

The lesson is clear: embrace both labor and waiting. Train your body, sharpen your skills, and give your best — but when wounds come, do not curse them, and do not abandon your path. Instead, let patience heal you, let time strengthen you, and return to the field of life wiser and stronger than before. Injury, whether of body or spirit, is not the end, but a pause — a place where character is refined.

Therefore, O seekers of greatness, remember the wisdom of Randy Johnson. Work hard. Let your days be filled with effort and discipline. Have patience. When injuries or failures strike, do not lose heart, but endure. For the mark of true greatness is not to never fall, but to rise again with greater strength. In this union of hard work and patience, you will find the secret not only to career, but to life itself — the power to withstand the storms, to heal from the wounds, and to walk steadily toward your destiny.