Assiduity is a word you don’t hear often, but it contains almost everything you need to know about success. It means constant and close attention to what you’re doing. It means perseverance, diligence, the ability to keep going when things get hard, and the willingness to put in the effort even when no one is watching. Charlie Munger, one of the wisest investors of our time, put it this way: “Assiduity. Sit on your ass until you do it.”

If I had to point to a single reason for any success I’ve had in life—whether in relationships, school, work, building my own business, or being able to give back in my retirement—it would be assiduity. I was never the smartest person in the room, nor the most talented. But I was always the one who kept going. That’s the difference. Everyone starts. Fewer people keep going. Almost no one persists long enough to break through.

It’s easy to think success is about luck, intelligence, or some special skill. But the truth is, most of the advantages you think other people have mean nothing if they don’t apply themselves with discipline. I’ve seen brilliant people waste their potential because they lacked assiduity, and I’ve seen ordinary people accomplish extraordinary things just by refusing to give up.

When I was in school, I wasn’t the top student, but I put in the time. When I started working, I wasn’t the most experienced, but I showed up every day and focused on getting better. When I built my own business, I didn’t have a roadmap, but I figured things out piece by piece because I refused to quit. And now, in retirement, I can give back—not because of a single lucky break, but because of decades of disciplined effort.

Assiduity isn’t just about success in the traditional sense. It’s also what helps you through the hardest moments in life. When your grandmother was diagnosed with cancer, it was assiduity that got her through it. She faced terrifying uncertainty, grueling treatments, and moments of doubt. But she never stopped fighting. Day after day, she showed up for her treatments, stayed disciplined with her health, and kept pushing forward even when she felt exhausted. That’s the same principle at work. Success and survival both demand perseverance. She didn’t win because it was easy. She won because she refused to quit.

What I want you to understand is this: talent is overrated. Intelligence is overrated. The real question is whether you are willing to work consistently over a long period of time, even when it feels like you’re making no progress. The people who win in life aren’t necessarily the ones who start ahead; they’re the ones who refuse to stop. The most important things—whether it’s a strong marriage, a successful career, or the ability to help others—don’t come from brief bursts of effort. They come from sustained, patient, and focused work over years.

You, my grandkids, are smart. You are talented. You have gifts that many people would envy. But if on top of that, you are also assiduous, you will be able to tackle any challenge that comes your way. The combination of ability and dedication is powerful, but dedication is what will carry you through the moments when ability alone isn’t enough.

My advice is simple: Be consistent. Be diligent. Work hard even when no one is watching. In everything you do—school, work, relationships, and even the smallest of daily tasks—bring effort and focus. Success doesn’t come in bursts; it comes from steady, deliberate work over a lifetime. The little choices you make every day, the effort you put into even the smallest things, all add up to shape your future.

There will be tough moments—times when things feel unfair, when you doubt yourself, when nothing seems to be going your way. Those moments are the true test. Many people give up when they reach those points. But if you keep going—if you commit yourself to perseverance—you will set yourself apart from the rest. You don’t have to be the smartest or the most talented to succeed. You just have to be the one who refuses to quit.

Each year, I used to literally fire myself and then rehire myself, asking, “What did the guy I just fired need to do better next year?” It was a way to force myself to reflect, to acknowledge weaknesses, and to make a plan for improvement. So I challenge you to do the same—fire yourself. Look at your life and ask: What could I be doing better? Where am I falling short? How can I be more assiduous? Be honest with yourself. Then, rehire yourself with a renewed commitment to improvement. If you make this a habit, you will always be growing, always improving, always striving toward the best version of yourself. I don’t say this because I think I have all the answers. I say this because I’ve lived it. Looking back, every meaningful thing I’ve accomplished came from sticking with it when it would have been easier to walk away. I hope you’ll take this to heart. One day, you’ll look back too, and you’ll be grateful that you kept going.