Persistence is what will count.
The late American President Calvin Coolidge is often quoted on the subject of Persistence."Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."
You’ve got to say he has a point. For instance how many times do you hear of Actors and Singers talk about failing any number of auditions before they got their break? The Salesman who knocks on 100 doors before one gets opened.
““Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.”
Walt Disney got the sack...
Now you can get lucky and hit a “home run” in your first go - and if that’s the case, then good well done you. But for most of us this doesn’t happen and for some of us, we give up as soon as it becomes difficult.
I remember my days as a Night Club DJ in London. From the stage you could see the guys who were shy about asking a girl to dance, plucking up the courage, which sometimes would take them half the evening, or a few beers.
They would wait until the slow section and then make their way over and almost as if it was a mime act, you'll often see the lady shake her head and point at her feet, clearly saying they were sore. And that will be at the end of the night - one sad dejected figure making his way home.
On the other hand you would have the guys who would not quit. There was one such Guy, who was not the best looking bloke in the world - and I would often see that same pantomime carried out between him and any number of young ladies. I say any number because that was just the point! In spite of the many shakes of the head, points to the toe, or those mouthed words “I’ve got sore feet” that I could see from the DJ Booth, he just kept going, sometimes returning to the same seemingly lost cause more than once.
Sooner or later he got his dance, maybe even a date, and eventually a partner out of his persistence. This post is not mean’t to be a dating post - but if it gives you the incentive you need then carry on ;o)
I just want to illustrate that persistence is key and very often the persistence will pay off.
If you are not happy with your life - just ask yourself these simple questions….
What have you done to try and change things?
How often have you tried?
And have you persisted with your endeavour for change?
It’s easy to talk about wanting a better life and what you are going to do to get it -it’s another thing to actually go out and do it.
The first step here is ignoring “The Can’t” particularly if you do get that first knock back. Say to yourself that you are in it for the long haul, that initial rejection is to be expected - that way when it comes you will not be surprised by it. Just like the guy in the night club - he knew he was going to get the old “sore feet” rejection - but for him it was a numbers game and he was prepared for that.
I’m a great believer in looking for positives even when you’re faced with a ton of negatives. If you do get that knock back pick yourself try again, and most importantly congratulate yourself for your persistence, tell yourself how great you are and watch how your negative will turn into positive.
Just remember Walt Disney was fired from the Kansas City Star because he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas” and he did alright didn't he?