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100 Words On: Why It Pays to Never Give Up

By Len Penzo

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

September 27, 2019

Comments

  1. 1

    Money Beagle says

    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.

  2. 2

    Spedie says

    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.

  3. 3

    Krantcents says

    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.

  4. 4

    Steven says

    You can’t fail if you don’t quit. That’s my mantra!

  5. 5

    The Griper says

    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”

  6. 6

    Modest Money says

    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.

  7. 7

    Mike Collins says

    Failure can be disheartening, but it helps to keep telling yourself that each failure brings you one step closer to success.

  8. 8

    Lance@MoneyLife&More says

    Always good to keep this in mind. Sometimes it gets lost how successful people and businesses weren’t always successful from the beginning.

  9. 9

    Little House says

    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.

    • 10

      Len Penzo says

      I’m glad it helped you out, Jen.

  10. 11

    AverageJoe says

    I like the Edison example of coming up with countless ways to not make a lightbulb.

  11. 12

    Parenting and Money says

    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.

  12. 13

    Jerry says

    There’s no insurance we’ll be millionaires but trying over and over again will often lead to success.

    • 14

      Len Penzo says

      It certainly can’t hurt, Jerry!

  13. 15

    Kelly A. says

    One of my favorite quotes:

    “Defeat is often temporary. Giving up makes it permanent.”
    — Marilyn vos Savant

    • 16

      Len Penzo says

      Beautiful, Kelly! Thanks for sharing that.

  14. 17

    RD Blakeslee says

    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.

Trackbacks

  1. 100 Words On: Saving Your Lame Excuses for Somebody Who Cares - Len Penzo dot Com says:
    February 18, 2018 at 9:34 am

    […] bottom line: The human spirit is so powerful, we can do almost anything — assuming we’re willing to expend the effort. Folks spouting lame excuses simply […]

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