You will never amount to anything. You will never change the world. You will never be important. Even if you produce something of momentary value, your ideas will eventually fade into the eternal fabric of nothingness. Your passions, your life’s work, your entire existence will be obliterated from the universe. Knowing this, why would you ever try to be incredible? 

Sir Isaac Newton, arguably one of the brightest human beings in existence, began his life studying at the most prestigious schools of England and eventually at Cambridge University, where he invented Calculus at the age of twenty-three. Alexander the Great was tutored by Aristotle, the greatest mind at that time. He inherited the kingdom of Macedonia along with its military, the best at that time. Thus, at age 20 he became a conqueror and created the largest empire the world had ever seen by the age of 30. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s sheer genius allowed him to compose his first Minuets at the young age of four, becoming one of the most prodigious composers in history. How could you, a mere mortal, compare to these godlike geniuses in their respective fields? You are not all that bright, you were not tutored by the greatest minds nor inherited fortunes and you were never a child prodigy at anything. You will never do anything remarkable.

You will amount to everything you desire. You will change the world. You will be important. Even if you don’t produce something of value to society, your essence will find its way into others’  unforgettable experiences. Your passions, your life’s work, your existence will be celebrated throughout the world. Knowing this, why would you not try to be amazing?

Albert Einstein grew up failing at school, eventually managing to get a stable job as a patent clerk. During one year at his job, he managed to write three different world-shaking scientific papers that built and solidified his reputation throughout his entire life. Napoleon Bonaparte was self-taught in the art of warfare and politics. He climbed up the military ranks and after the French Revolution, just as it seemed he too would die at the behest of the guillotine, he rose up as the leader of the French people at their greatest time of need. Against all odds, he won battle after battle, destroying their enemies and conquering almost all of Europe. Vincent Van Gogh was a poor, red-headed young boy. He swayed with the tide of one-time jobs, traveling the countryside barely scraping by. It was not until the age of 27 that he picked up his first paintbrush. He started with terrible drawings that were never sold. But today, one of his lesser pieces of artwork was recently sold for 111 million dollars, and his Starry Night is perhaps one of the most well-known art pieces. You can do anything you set your mind to.

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Whether you believe genetics plays a part in greatness, the wealth you inherited, the intelligence you hold or the luck of being in the right place at the right time, there is no true secret ingredient for greatness. Through millennia, billions have searched for it, but only thousands are able to comprehend that it doesn’t exist. Whether they be royalty or peasants, idiots or geniuses, beloved or hated they don’t share any common factor except their disregard for cynics. Cynics will always exist, but just as fast as your failures, the cynics will be forgotten too. There are moments, though, when the most dangerous cynic of all emerges, yourself. But at that moment you must ignore that fearful judgmental prick. Trust your guts and continue with your passions no matter the cost. We all live momentary lives that might fleet away at a moment’s notice. Thus, it is only rational to try, regardless of anything else. That pretty girl you mean to ask out, those blank pages that you have the dream of writing, that canvas that demands your attention. If you don’t do it now, you might not get another chance. If there is a such thing as a mystery ingredient of greatness, zeal would the answer.