Believe it or not, JK Rowling’s manuscript for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was rejected by the first 12 publishers she approached.
Walt Disney was fired from the Kansas City Star because his boss thought he lacked creativity.
RH Macy opened — and closed — four businesses over a 12-year period before finding success with his Manhattan department store.
And Colonel Sanders was turned down 1009 times over a two-year period before he finally found somebody who was willing to invest in his famous fried chicken.
The bottom line: Success isn’t measured by how often we fail — it’s measured by how many times we try.
Photo Credit: Official US Navy Imagery
Sopranos and Breaking Bad were both turned down by all the networks. While they certainly would have been different shows on Network TV vs. Cable, I’m sure they still lament those choice anyways.
So true in business AND in more personal type items!
If at first you do not succeed, step back, analyze, come up with another plan, and go for it.
I thought success was measured by how many time you succeed. It doesn’t matter how many times you fail or try. If you keep trying, you will succeed.
You can’t fail if you don’t quit. That’s my mantra!
never liked the word “try”. it is the word that those who give up use every time. ” well, i tried”. teach a person the word “do” and they always finish with the words, “well. i did it”
Those are some pretty inspiring examples of why you shouldn’t give up. Sometimes that persistence can pay off huge. If you think you have a good idea you’ve got to do what you can to see it through even if you do face rejection.
Failure can be disheartening, but it helps to keep telling yourself that each failure brings you one step closer to success.
Always good to keep this in mind. Sometimes it gets lost how successful people and businesses weren’t always successful from the beginning.
Thanks for the motivation. I needed that today. Still on the hunt for a teaching job 5 months after I finished my credential program and only one interview (that I didn’t get). I have to remember to just keep going.
I’m glad it helped you out, Jen.
I like the Edison example of coming up with countless ways to not make a lightbulb.
I needed to hear this today. Thanks! I like this reminder and will keep this in mind.
The bottom line: Success isn’t measured by how often we fail – it’s measured by how many times we try.
There’s no insurance we’ll be millionaires but trying over and over again will often lead to success.
It certainly can’t hurt, Jerry!
One of my favorite quotes:
“Defeat is often temporary. Giving up makes it permanent.”
— Marilyn vos Savant
Beautiful, Kelly! Thanks for sharing that.
All of us are blessed with a set of talents. My advice is: Pick the one you are personally most in control of (i.e. not employed by “the other man”) and work smart and hard to establish you place doing that
Your eventual success will be enjoyed in terms far exceeding financial ascendancy.