Life is a never-ending adventure, there would be failures followed by success if one keeps moving constantly in forward direction. Very often, whenever facing a failure or setback, people tend to sit back and give up on their dreams. No man or woman has changed the world without facing significant and sometimes, soul drenching, failures. Perseverance after failures is what makes one a winner.
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” -Winston S. Churchill
Here is the list of 7 famous people who turned their failures into success that you must read about to get the real inspiration.
1. Steven Spielberg
He was rejected from the University of Southern California, School of Theatre, a prestigious film school thrice yet Steven Spielberg went on to win Academy Award thrice in his carrier. He has produced some of best movies of Hollywood in its history including the likes of Jurassic Park, Lincoln, Munich, Saving Private Ryan, and Schindler’s List.
“Whether in success or in failure, I’m proud of every single movie I’ve directed.” -Steven Spielberg
2. Oprah Winfrey
Was demoted from her job as a news anchor because she used to get emotionally invested in her stories. A Baltmore TV producer told her that she ‘wasn’t fit for the television’. This failure was start of her best days in future. Oprah Winfrey then joined a daytime TV show, People Are Talking, which she worked in for almost eight years, show was a hit. Eventually she became the host of The Oprah Winfrey Show, which aired from 25 seasons and stood out as multi-award winning talk show. She knew that failure is success in progress.
“Think like a queen. A queen if not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.” -Oprah Winfrey
3. Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs was fired from Apple, after being un-ceremonially removed from the company he started himself because board of company presumed him as potential risk to company as Steve was using a lot of company’s resources in trying to make new products while not getting much results in return. He was lost for some months having no idea what to do with his life now after being fired, he even thought about getting into politics and being an astronomer. But he eventually found what he truly loved, and trekked the journey that led to foundation of NeXT and Pixar Studios, and later Steve restored his position at Apple as well after almost a decade.
“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Almost everything–all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure–these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” -Steve Jobs
4. Michael Jordon
Michael Jordon was cut from his high school basketball team, he went home, locked himself in and cried… Yet it didn’t stop the man from becoming the best basketball player in history ever, 6 times NBA Champion, 5 times NBA MVP, and 4 times NBA All-star. Even throughout his carrier he faced lot of failures as told by himself:
“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” -Michael Jordon
5. J. K. Rowling
J. K Rowling was working as secretary at the London office of Amnesty International, but she always sensed the dream of becoming writer whispering into her mind. She was found writing stories on her work-computer many times. She persevered, and went onto become author of one of most successful book-series of all times. As J.K. Rowling said about failures herself:
“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so live cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all in which case, you fail by default.” -J.K Rowling
6. Walt Disney
The local newspaper, Kansas City Star newspaper, for whom Walt Disney did his one of first animations job fired him and justified his firing by arguing that he lacked imaginations and had no original idea as suggested by editor. After being fired from the newspaper, Mr. Disney faced another failure when his animation studio, Laugh-O-Gram, ended with bankruptcy. Finally he succeeded in Hollywood, eventually creating Mickey Mouse, became co-founder of Walt Disney Company and won 22 Academy Awards in his carrier. Every failure faced by Walt Disney didn’t stop the man from pursuing his destiny.
“I think it’s important to have a good hard failure when you’re young. I learned a lot out of that. Because it makes you kind of aware of what can happen to you. Because of it I’ve never had any fear in my whole life when we’ve been near collapse and all of that. I’ve never been afraid. I’ve never had the feeling I couldn’t walk out and get a job doing something.” -Walt Disney
7. Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss’ first book was turned down by 27 different publishers yet no one could stop him from becoming bestselling children-author in history. Failures are steps of stair that leads to success. One is always supposed to fail, yet only who realizes that failures are recipe of success goes onto win life.
“And will you succeed? Yes you will indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)” -Dr. Seuss
So failure is recipe of success, one who doesn’t fail doesn’t learn something new; greatest of the minds has experienced greatest of the failures.