The statistics claiming that college graduates have more lifetime earning potential than non-graduates are now thought be off base. The truth is, ambitious people generally make more money and are usually found among college graduates. Researchers also suggests that had these same people never attended college their earning potential would probably have remained the same.
The very same principle can be applied to individuals who discover success. It doesn't matter what steps they took, the results would have been the same. The reason is success is an expression of the Authentic cause within each unique individual. Success is not achieved by following any set of steps or following any group of principals or assuming any archetype. That is why so called success programs have only limited success and continue to disappoint so many people. Success (much like happiness) is not something you can put on a "to-do" list, but rather it is a "state of being".
If you want a very simple take on how to become more successful just read articles or books about the people you found that have obtained your definition of success. By considering people who satisfy your definition of success you will find there is only one cause that they all share and that is persistence.
The Best of Successful Failures
According to "The Secret of Success is Not a Secret," by Darcy Andries, Tenacity or being persistent in maintaining, or seeking something valued or desired is the name of the game. Here are just a few examples from her book:
Clint Eastwood
This actor, director and producer was fired early in his career. He was told by an executive at Universal studios: "You have a chipped tooth, your Adam's apple sticks out to far and you talk to slow." He took on odd jobs to earn a living then one day he starred in an Italian movie called, "A Fist Full of Dollars." It was a huge success and the director had him also star in, "A Few Dollars More" and "The Good, Bad and Ugly." After their global release he was recognized everywhere as a star.
Walt Disney
Walt failed very early on in his entrepreneurial endeavors and found himself bankrupt. He was also fired by a newspaper editor as he "had no good ideas." He spent 4 years producing "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" despite his critics and it cost him1.5 million which nearly led him to declair bancruptcy on this second business. Since its 1939 release “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” has amassed well over 400 million bucks. Walt Disney also holds the record for receiving the most Academy Awards, twenty-six, with sixty-four nominations.
Albert Einstein
Due to his poor apptitude his elementary school teachers thought Albert was mentally impared. Shockingly, most simply considered him a failure with no real future ahead of him. Later he failed the entrance exam into the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and his doctorial dissertation was rejected as "irrelevant and fanciful." It was only after he published "The Special Theory of Relativity" that he gained any recognition. In 1921 Einstein received the Nobel Prize in Physics.
David Letterman
David Letterman was fired from being a Indianapolis weatherman. He did land a small role on two TV programs only to loose them both when the shows were canceled early. There was another series to be called "Leave it to Dave" saddly it never made it on TV. He then had a morning show called, "The David Letterman Show," which was canceled after four months. Finally Dave was given his own show "Late Night with David Letterman" earning five Emmy Awards and thirty nominations. Later he moved to CBS to host "The Late Show" with more than fifty nominations taking home nine Emmys awarded.
Clark Gable
Working hard for ten years Gable tried to attract the attention of the Hollywood big wigs. As he traveled form Ohio to Oregon he took on roles in small theater productions. He got busy selling ties just to make a living. He was forced into working as an extra in a few silent movies because he failed his first screen test for MGM. He retreated from film and went back to theatre. He auditioned for Warner Brothers but was again turned down. They thought his ears were too big. In 1931 Clark went back to MGM and landed a part in the sucessful film "The Painted Desert". However, Gable let it go to his head and MGM lent him out to a smaller studio were he could hopefully find humility. Instead in 1934 he won the Academy Award for Best Actor in "It Happened One Night." His most famous role of course was as the male lead in "Gone With the Wind".
Abraham Lincoln
As far as America is concerned, this just might be the most popular successful failure in history.
- In 1831 his first business, a dry goods store failed.
- A year later he fought in The Black Hawk War as a Captain. Only 3 months later he left the Army as a Private.
- In 1832 lost an election for the State Legislation.
- Opened another store, which also failed leaving him in debt in 1833.
- As a postmaster he had the worse efficiency record in the county.
- 1834 he ran for the Illinois House of Representatives and won only to later lose as the Speaker of the House in 1838.
- 1843 Lincoln lost an election for U.S. Congress.
- He finally won but in 1848 failed to get re-elected.
- 1855 he lost his bid for the U.S. Senate
- 1856 he ran for Vice President and lost.
- 1858 he again ran for U.S. Senate and lost again.
- Finally in he ran for president of the United States in 1860 winning with 40% of the popular vote. It was assumed that he would lose re-election in 1864, but he won with 55% of the popular vote.
What form of success planning did these people subscribe to? What are the "7, 10 or 15 Principals of Success" that they followed? Based upon that, what does this tell us about the truthfullness of the "Law of Attraction?"
Through Tenacity Your Success is Inevitable
The above stories reveal the dynamics of real life. They are all good examples of how everyday people eventually attain a successful state of being. The path, if you noticed is not direct. Success comes only after failure and persistence. It was their inner drive, fueled by passion that compelled these people to press forward against repeated failures and disappointments.
Actor Tony Curtis said it best when he was interviewed by Steve Young in the book "Great Failures of the Extremely Successful".
There's no way I can point to a single experience or event and say that from then on, my life was changed. It's just the living of life itself. You cannot put that into words. It's too variable. Too changing. Every moment, every second we are alive provides so may inputs and impulses that it's too difficult to choose one and say, 'That's what did it for me.' - Tony Curtis - Actor, Painter and Writer
It is tenacity of our inner motivation that is responsible for success, and tenacity is very simply the willingness to insist on expressing your true inner self in the face of any and all obstacles.
Passion for an idea, is the tangible evidence that you are tapping into your Authentic Side where your inner motivator resides. When you feel excitement and exhibit a sense of joy found in your accomplishments, you are expressing your authentic inner self and given time, success is inevitable.
Never Stop! Employ tenacity! Do not give up!
However, there does exist an aid that can ignite more of that fiery passion within you. A "Short-cut" if you will, on your path to a successful state of being. If you feel there must be a lot more to all of this, you’re right. Do you require more?
The "Real You" the "Successful You" awaits discovery!
