If Oprah and Michael Jordan Can Find Success…. So Can The Rest of Us
12th October 2012 · 1 Comment
RT (from twitter) @DavisHillAustin- Never let anyone tell you that you “Can’t”. Go get the training and figure out a plan – so you can prove to the world that you “CAN”.
My 8th grade English teacher (Mrs. Nicholidas) told me I did not belong in the advanced class because she did not feel I fully grasped the nuances of grammar. When I said I wanted to write books in my future… she told me it would not happen for me.
Well, she was wrong… I have penned 9 non-fiction books (with a 10th in the works and a contributed chapter in the National Speakers Associations new book “Speak More“). While I never claim to be the world’s greatest writer on the planet, people seem to find value in some of my words. And hundreds read my blog each week. Maybe I am not a “great” writer… but she was wrong… I am “good enough”!!! Plus, an editor and a proof reader come in handy when finishing a book.
Her words were hurtful, really, as I spent 20+ years wishing and not doing …when it came to writing. And because of her I have never yet tried my hand at writing fiction.
I think of all the kids out there who have teachers with their own issues (chips on their shoulders?) who make them feel bad or discouraged….. and I hope they can prove them wrong by finding their own way to shine.
We can’t have a “do-over”…. and I while I wish I could go back and kick my own butt a little to get some direction earlier, we have to work from where we are now. I cannot change that teacher’s words, but I can prove her wrong.
Author John Assaraf posted a visual graphic online the other day that talked about “Famous Failures“…
- Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team
- Walt Disney was let go from a newspaper for lacking imagination
- The Beatles were rejected by Decca Recording Studio and told they had no future in the business
- Steve Jobs was fired from Apple
and my favorite…
- Oprah Winfrey was demoted from her job as a TV anchor because “she wasn’t fit for television”
Ha…. These reminded me of how some who should be “experts” often have opinions that are so wrong it is just silly. Can you imagine being at a dinner party with the guy who told Oprah she would not cut it in TV? I assume that is not how he kicks off his elevator pitch.
Never let those who want to kill your dreams win!!!!
Have A Great Day.
thom singer
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Thom, Outstanding! Your “barfs knowledge” comment is graphically perfect. Iam currently working with speakers to get the “word fat” out of their PowerPoint speeches. Your metaphor really fits into the attention getting. My audiences need to know about you.
I use my cartoon figures Like HotTalkHarry…when by web is up you will see them interact with…very bad speeches.
I am revamping my web to tell the story of “wordy weight lost” program.
I did a program series for NSA San Diego a few years ago.