Michael Jordan was cut from his high school varsity basketball team as a sophomore.
Fred Astaire was told he “couldn’t act, couldn’t sing… and could dance a little.”
Thomas Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb.
Sara Blakely went door-to-door looking for a hosiery mill that would agree to manufacture her shapewear products.
All went on to become icons in their respective fields due to their unwavering determination to succeed in the face of setbacks and discouragement.
It takes more than just hard work to reach legendary status, of course.
But the ability to persevere in pursuit of your dream, especially when circumstances and people conspire to knock you off course, is a true test of character that will serve you well in the long-term.
In fact, according to University of Pennsylvania professor and author, Angela Duckworth, perseverance and passion (a combination she defines as “grit”) are important predictors of future success.
How can you apply this principle to your goals and aspirations?
