Throughout the course of one’s life, it is quite common for any individual to face a series of challenges that may seem impossible to conquer. Such a belief in one’s inability to overcome these challenges, often causes the given person to feel disheartened and dissappointed. Said negativity will only spur greater inaction, thereby concluding the vicious cycle of disinclination.
Nevertheless, such a cycle is incredulously dangerous to our goals and aspirations. Disinclination works as one of the few obstacles that you face in achieving whatever target you have in mind, causing your life to be filled with missed opportunities and incorrect judgements.
While this cycle may seem disillusioning to most, there is one weapon that you can use in your never-ending battle with disinclination: tenacity. Tenacity is the ability for any individual to not only recognize the challenges he/she faces, but overcome them through creative and strategic thinking. Tenacious people, therefore, are some of the most successful individuals in the world.
Thus, below is a list that compiles some of the wonderfully tenacious individuals in this world that will most definitely inspire you:
8J.K. Rowling
Three years prior to the publication of her first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, J.K. Rowling was a recently-divorced mother living on government aid that was barely able to feed her child. Unable to afford any type of computer or photocopier, Rowling manually typed out each version of her 90,000-word novel to send to publishers.
Though rejected twelve times, Rowling continue to persevere through her troubles, believing in the talents she acquired. Eventually, Bloomsbury, a small London publisher, gave her a second chance after the CEO’s eight-year-old daughter reacted positively to the novel.
7Jerry Seinfeld
Jerry Seinfeld, world-renown comedian, actor, writer, and producer, began his career in comedy with an incredibly rocky start. When walking on stage in a local comedy club, Seinfeld acquired great bouts of stage fright, frozen in stance until he was eventually jeered off the stage.
However, due to his dedication to the comedic material he had written, he decided to attempt performing stand-up a second time at that club. The next night, Seinfeld appeared on stage once again and completed his set with endless laughter and applause. From there, Seinfeld launched a highly successful career as a comedian and comedic writer.
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6Jim Carrey
Similar to Seinfeld, Jim Carrey’s career in comedy did not seem entirely bright. At age fifteen, his family was stricken for finances and Carrey’s first-time onstage routine was only to be responded with hisses and insults from the audience. However, Carrey’s determination to become a successful comic never faltered and he decided to move to Los Angeles, California to officially upstart his career.
Shortly after moving to California, Jim Carrey would park on Muholland Drive and visualize his success, thereby causing him to write a check for himself for $10,000,000 for “Acting Services Rendered,” which he dated for Thanksgiving 1995. Only a little before that date did he receive his payment for starring in Dumb and Dumber, the film that launched his career into stardom.
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5Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey, international superstar and founder of OWN network, acquired a turbulent adolescence, very much plagued by large and strenuous challenges. As a child, Oprah fell victim to sexual abuse by many individuals, both in and out of the family. Such abuse later contributed to her pregnancy, where the fourteen-year-old Oprah gave birth to a child who eventually died two weeks later.
Despite her great personal difficulties, Oprah persevered through high school, allowing herself to become an honors student who acquired a full scholarship to university. From there, Oprah sought to win influence through the television and emerged from small-time Nashville anchor to one of the most wealthiest and influential women in the world.
4Bill Gates
Bill Gates, co-founder of the largest software company in the world, Microsoft, began his career as a college drop-out from Harvard University. Though he attempted to launch his first business, Traf-O-Data, with later co-founder of Microsoft, Paul Allen, this business failed almost immediately. However, through consistent perseverance in creating a successful computer business, Gates held great influence in shaping how the world is today.
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3Michael Jordan
An entrepreneur and principal owner/chairman of the Charlotte Hornets as well as former professional basketball player, Michael Jordan began his career in athletics by being cut from his local high school basketball team. Though disheartened, Jordan vowed to never allow a situation like this occur again.
Through endless practices and training along with a few growth spurts, Jordan made the team next year and began his life as a successful athlete. Since the early 1990s, Jordan has continued to dominate the court in every realm possible.
2Steven Spielberg
Academy Award-wining director, producer, and screenwriter, Steven Spielberg faced quite a deal of rejection during his youth. Though he was rejected by the University of Southern California School of Theater, Film and Television three times, Spielberg continued to pursue his dreams in film and attended school at another location, only to drop out in order to become one of the world’s most profitable and distinguished figures in the film industry.
1Stephen King
Stephen King’s first iconic thriller, Carrie, was rejected by more than 30 publishing houses. Though discouraged at first, causing King to throw his novel in the trash bin, his wife luckily convinced him to resubmit his work. With a revitalized burst of dedication, King finally published by Doubleday, where he from then had a soaring career as one of the best-selling authors of all time.
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Though certain challenges may make your future look bleak, remember that if these fine people listed above can do it, so can you.
