Let’s be real. Motivational quotes aren’t that motivating. When we feel tired and unmotivated and we want to stop, a lot of people will tell us three magical words that they believe will solve everything: don’t give up. Wow! Why didn’t I think of that? Note the sarcasm. Not giving up is easier said than done. And telling someone not to give up is not as useful as you imagine it to be.
Personally, I find hearing stories of success more motivating. Because then I wonder, how did they get so successful? What did they do? What can I do? I’m more motivated to change the way I live so I can be just as successful. It’s as if these stories are showing me what can happen if I don’t give up instead of just telling me not to give up. In an attempt to motivate you to be perseverant, here are stories of influential figures who used this trait to carve their path to success.
3 Influential Figures Known for Being Perseverant
Our trait of the month is perseverance. And in simpler terms, it simply means to not give up despite the odds. Here are 3 influential figures known for being perseverant. Perhaps we could learn a thing or two from them.
1. Walt Disney
Believe it or not, Walt Disney who is known for bringing joy to households around the world through his fun and imaginative Disney films was told that he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.” In fact, he was fired from his first job because of this. Ironic, isn’t it? Walt Disney who would soon be the creator of a billion-dollar empire and the creator of thousands of popular Disney films was told no.
The truth is, you’ll hear that word more times than you’ll ever hear the word “yes”. You’ll be told “no” countless times and what you do with that is entirely up to you. Walt Disney didn’t give up. And because he didn’t, he not only acquired a lot of money but, he brought so much joy to children and adults alike and he created more job opportunities for aspiring people. Who knows? You could be the next entrepreneur with a billion-dollar empire. All it takes is a little perseverance.
2. Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein is definitely a household name. He is one of the most popular scientists around the world. He is incredibly smart, a genius even. Yet, his parents and teachers would beg to differ. They thought that he was mentally handicapped and retarded because Einstein did not speak until he was 4 years old and did not read until he was 7. He was expelled from school and was rejected from Zurich Polytechnic School.
Like Walt Disney, he was pushed down countless times. This genius was told he was the exact opposite. And what did he do? He devised papers that talked about his theory of relativity that revolutionized how we understand space, time, gravity and the universe. He became the father of physics. And no one, not even his parents and old teachers, could ever say he wasn’t a genius ever again. And this is all because he didn’t stop loving Science and he didn’t stop learning and working and discovering.
3. J.K. Rowling
The first person most people think of when they hear the word author is probably J.K. Rowling. She is the mastermind behind the best-selling series called Harry Potter and the creator of the Hogwarts Universe. Her books became so popular that Hollywood decided to create blockbuster movies based on them.
You take a look at her success and you probably wouldn’t think she’s ever suffered a day in her life. But, before her success, she was divorced, poor, depressed and the mother of a child. She wrote the first novel in the Harry Potter series and submitted it to the Bloomsbury London Publishers. It was rejected. She submitted it again. It was rejected. She submitted it again and again. Her book was rejected 12 times before it was finally published. And today, she’s one of the richest women in the world.
The Takeaway
Everyone has failed once or twice. But the fact that you failed doesn’t matter. It’s what you do after. Do you get up? Or do you let the failure get to you? If you believe what you’re doing can be a success, then make it so. You might be the next J.K. Rowling or Elon Musk. Transform this trait of the month into the trait you’ll live by every day of your life.
By Moira Katherine Du
