It is now being confessed that the statistics claiming that college graduates earn more income than non-graduates over a lifetime may be skewed. 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’s of little consequence as to what route they took, the end result would have remained 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 formulas for success continue to produce less than satisfactory results. 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 those whom you feel have “made it”. 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.

A Few Examples 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
Early in his career this actor, director and producer was fired. 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.” The global release of those two films sent the actor into international stardom.

Walt Disney
Walt began with entrepreneurial failures early in life and was forced into bankruptcy. He was also fired by a newspaper editor as he “had no good ideas.” Working against his critics, he spent 4 years in the production of “Snow White and the Sever Dwarfs” costing1.5 million and it just about ruined him. 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
In elementary school Albert performed poorly and it was suspected by his teachers that he was mentally handicapped. Interestingly, a lot of people thought of him as a loser with no real future. Later he took the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology entrance exam and failed. And his doctorial dissertation was viewed as “irrelevant and fanciful.” He was recognized only after “The Special Theory of Relativity” was published. Einstein won a Nobel Prize in 1921 for Physics.

David Letterman
Letterman got fired from his job as a weatherman in Indianapolis. He later landed ordinary roles on two television programs that were both canceled only after a few episodes. Another series was to be called “Leave it to Dave,” however it never aired. 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. He later moved to CBS to host “The Late Show” which earned nine Emmy Awards and more than fifty Emmy nominations.

Clark Gable
Clark worked for 10 years trying to get the attention of Hollywood. Working in small theater productions he traveled form Ohio to Oregon. He sold ties to make a living. His first screen test for MGM was a failure and he was forced to find work as an extra in silent movies. Leaving the movies he fled to the stage. He went to Warner Brothers, auditioned and was turned down yet again. They felt his ears were just too large. 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. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1934 for his role 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.

  1. His first business, a dry goods store failed in 1831.
  2. One year later he entered The Black Hawk War as Captain. Three months later he was demoted and left the Army as a Private.
  3. Lost an election for the state legislation in 1832.
  4. Opened another store, which also failed leaving him in debt in 1833.
  5. As a postmaster he had the worse efficiency record in the county.
  6. 1834 he ran for the Illinois House of Representatives and won only to later lose as the Speaker of the House in 1838.
  7. Lincoln lost the election in 1843 for U.S. Congress.
  8. Won the next election but failed to get re-elected in 1848.
  9. 1855 he lost his bid for the U.S. Senate
  10. 1856 he ran for Vice President and lost.
  11. 1858 he again ran for U.S. Senate and lost for a second time.
  12. Finally in 1860 he ran for president of the United States and won 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 success model did Lincoln and these other successful people adhere to? What “Success Principles” workshop did they attend? What does this say about the “Law of Attraction?”

Your Success is Inevitable

The above stories reveal the dynamics of real life. These are typical examples of how people discover real success. Notice the path is not a straight one. 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.

To sum it up, I feel actor Tony Curtis said it best. This is how he put it when interviewed for the book “Great Failures of the Extremely Successful” by Steve Young.

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 persistance 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.

Just don’t stop. Employ tenacity! Never 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. Of course, we are just scratching the surface of what your potential is. Do you require more?

The successful “You” awaits discovery!

Technorati Tags: , , , ,