Often, we try to divide the world into two groups of people: Those who succeed and those who fail. While there are countless definitions of success and failure, this seems to make a logical dividing or measuring point.
Conventional wisdom might tell us that people who succeed never fail, and failures never succeed. Nothing could be further from the truth. If a picture is worth a thousand words, an example may be worth a million.
Albert Einstein wasn’t able to speak until he was almost four-years-old, and his teachers said he would “never amount to much.”
Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team, went home, locked himself in his room, and cried.
Walt Disney was fired from a newspaper for “lacking imagination” and “having no original ideas.”
Steve Jobs was left devastated and depressed at 30-years-old after being unceremoniously removed from the company he started.
Oprah Winfrey was demoted from her job as a news anchor because she “ wasn’t fit for television.”
The Beatles were rejected by Decca Recording Studios, who said, “We don’t like their sound—they have no future in show business. Guitar music is on the way out.”
Lucille Ball was dismissed from drama school with a note that read, “Wasting her time. She is too shy to put her best foot forward.”
Ulysses S. Grant was a failed soldier, farmer, and real estate agent. At 38-years-old, he went to work for his father as a handyman.
Thomas Edison was told by a teacher that he was too stupid to learn anything and that he should go into a field where he might succeed by virtue of his pleasant personality.
Abraham Lincoln’s fiancée died, he failed in business twice, he had a nervous breakdown, and he was defeated in eight elections.
Failure isn’t final. It is the fertilizer for your future success. The only thing that is final is quitting. No outside force, current circumstance, or future obstacle can keep you from your destiny if you are willing to persevere. Being successful is a choice and, therefore, being defeated is a decision. It’s always up to you.
As you go through your day today, learn how to succeed from those who failed.
Today’s the day!
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Jim Stovall is the president of Narrative Television Network, as well as a published author of many books including The Ultimate Gift. He is also a columnist and motivational speaker. He may be reached by e-mail at JimStovall@aol.com or by visiting www.JimStovall.com.
-what are some “success stories” that you draw inspiration from? Take a moment to share in the comments below.