The Genius of Patience: Five Lessons from Thomas Edison

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“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says ‘I’m possible’!” – Audrey Hepburn

Last night, my six-year-old son, Mr. D, and I were out in our back yard at dusk. When night fell, the solar-powered string of LED lights that my friend Katie helped me string up about 4 years ago switched on. Mr. D wanted to know why some of the bulbs had water in them – a situation that has developed over time.

I’m amazed they still work. Especially after spending a couple of weeks delving into Thomas Edison and his efforts to invent the light bulb. In the time of Edison, bulbs had carbonized bamboo filaments in vacuum sealed glass. We’ve come along way in almost 150 years since his initial design but the light bulb still shines bright.

This episode of The Life of Try podcast is based on Thomas Edison and his methods to reframe progress: not as one perfect breakthrough, but as a steady practice of continuing to try. Behind the famous light bulb moment is a mindset of learning from what doesn’t work, building momentum through small improvements, and staying in motion long enough for the next step to appear.

I gleaned five practical lessons from Edison—be systematic, don’t do it alone, keep improving, apply what you learn across disciplines, and rest (yes, naps count)—plus a bonus insight on the tension between creativity and control.

  • Get unstuck by focusing on the next controllable step
  • Make progress through iteration—small wins that compound over time
  • Keep going with support, structure, and rest
  • Create more, control less

Here’s a snippet of Edison’s commitment to capture ideas:

If you’re working on a project, a habit change, or a long-shot goal, this conversation is an invitation to get unstuck by taking the next try. Here are some ways you can listen and watch this motivating episode:

47-From Stuck to Momentum: Thomas Edison’s Method for Progress (Try, Learn, Improve, Repeat) – The Life of Try: Personal growth, one try at a time.

Feeling stuck? This episode of The Life of Try uses the story of Thomas Edison to reframe progress: not as one perfect breakthrough, but as a steady practice of continuing to try. Behind the famous light bulb moment is a mindset of learning from what doesn’t work, building momentum through small improvements, and staying in motion long enough for your next step to appear.You’ll hear five practical lessons—be systematic, don’t do it alone, keep improving, apply what you learn across areas, and rest (yes, naps count)—plus a bonus insight on the tension between creativity and control. If you’re working on a project, a habit change, or a long-shot goal, this conversation is an invitation to get unstuck by taking the next try.Get unstuck by focusing on the next controllable stepMake progress through iteration—small wins that compound over timeKeep going with support, structure, and restCreate more, control lessThe Life of Try is a personal growth and self‑help podcast about getting unstuck, navigating uncertainty, and choosing to try—even when it’s uncomfortable, inconvenient, or not your idea.Hosted by Wynne Leon, the show explores how real growth, reinvention, and discovery often begin not with confidence or clarity—but with a single attempt. Through thoughtful interviews, reflective conversations, and real‑world case studies, each episode examines what it looks like to keep going when doubt shows up, plans fall apart, or life forces a change you didn’t ask for.This podcast is for anyone who:Feels stuck or uncertain about what’s nextIs navigating change, burnout, or reinventionWants to live more intentionally without pretending growth is easyBelieves progress starts by trying—again and againThe Life of Try isn’t about hustle or perfection. It’s about learning as you go, surfacing what matters, and sharing what you discover along the way.If you’re ready to surf the uncertainty, outlast the doubts, and step into your own try‑cycle, you’re in the right place.Links for this episode:From Stuck to Momentum: Thomas Edison's Method for Progress show notesThe Genius of Patience: Five Lessons from Thomas Edison transcriptEdison by Edmund Morris Thomas Edison on WikipediaAfter the Super Bowl, Seahawks Coach Mike Macdonald Kept Repeating 2 Words. It's a Lesson in How to Win on Inc.com
  1. 47-From Stuck to Momentum: Thomas Edison’s Method for Progress (Try, Learn, Improve, Repeat)
  2. 46: The Quiet Transformation That Changes Everything
  3. 45: The Life of Try: Alex Honnold Case Study
  4. How to Share a Reimagined Sci-Fi Trilogy with Dr. Wayne Runde
  5. How to Share Advocacy with Sam Daley-Harris Part 2

Please listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.

Links for this episode:

From Stuck to Momentum: Thomas Edison’s Method for Progress transcript

Edison by Edmund Morris

Thomas Edison on Wikipedia

After the Super Bowl, Seahawks Coach Mike Macdonald Kept Repeating 2 Words. It’s a Lesson in How to Win on Inc.com

22 thoughts on “The Genius of Patience: Five Lessons from Thomas Edison”

  4. Love the iteration reminder, Wynne. It’s such a good companion to your sage advice (in your chat with Roger, I think – such a good episode!) about documenting WHAT we try so we can remember and keep track of our efforts. When I don’t do that…oy! My stress level really ratchets up! 💝😊💝

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  8. wonderful, l and just the boost I need to get started on something I’ve been putting off trying and not quite sure how to do it. I do know that baby steps work as I always say, but I should apply that to also accepting that sometimes those baby steps might go backwards a bit before I move forward again, and that’s okay.

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  10. Just think, without Thomas Edison, there would be no “How many [INSERT NAME OF PEOPLE] does it take to screw in a light bulb?” jokes. We owe him such a debt of gratitude for enlightening us, both figuratively and literally.

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  12. When I hear Edison’s name, I always think of the historical fiction novel “Last Days of Night” by Erik Larsen. It’s about the battle of AC and DC currents among three geniuses Edison, Tesla and Westinghouse. Sometimes it is not enough to develop an idea to fruition, but then you have to fight for it. I think the building on small successes is the key to getting there. No one hits a homerun the first time they hit a baseball! We literally strike out and try again until that day comes. And with patience, it will! Thanks, Wynne. 😊

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