Provost Consulting, Inc.
Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on LinkedInFollow Us on Google+Follow Us on TwitterFollow Us on You TubeFollow Us on RSS
  • Home
  • Education
  • Coaching
  • Results
  • About
  • Clients
  • Perspectives
  • Let’s Talk
Defy Defeat with Walt Disney, Steve Jobs, and More

Defy Defeat with Walt Disney, Steve Jobs, and More

You probably know how many politicians it takes to change a light bulb. But did you know how many attempts it took Edison to invent that light bulb? More than 6,000, if you count all the filaments he tested. For two long years, the only thing that burned brightly for Edison was a failure. He amassed 40,000 pages of notes before finally inventing the incandescent bulb that could sustain light for 40 hours.

How can you help but feel inspired by that kind of determination? Look at some others who shared Edison’s ability to defy defeat …

Steve Jobs – In 1985, as Mac sales started to flounder, Apple CEO John Sculley issued a new org chart that cut Jobs out of all managerial duties. Stunned, Jobs diverted his energy toward computer animation instead, establishing Pixar, a company he would later sell to Disney for $7.4 billion.

Michael Jordan – Maybe you’ve seen Jordan’s Nike commercial about failure. If not, it’s well worth a 30-second viewing.

Rudyard Kipling – “I’m sorry, Mr. Kipling, but you just don’t know how to use the English language,” opined the editor of the San Francisco Examiner. After that rejection letter, Kipling went on to write The Jungle Book and win the 1907 Nobel Prize in Literature.

Walt Disney – Another shortsighted newspaper editor fired young Walt Disney because he “lacked imagination” and couldn’t come up with enough creative ideas.

Lucille Ball – At NYC’s John Murray Anderson Drama School in the year 1926, you could feel the heat of a rising star. But it wasn’t Lucy. Outshone by the radiant Bette Davis, Ball dropped out to model in cigarette ads before Metro recognized its next Goldwyn Girl.

When was the last time you stepped out on the skinny limb to achieve something you wanted?

If it broke, would you stay on the ground, or keep climbing back up to reach the next one? Remember, if you ever need a boost, I’m here for you!

Not too long ago I too received a rejection letter, albeit not so indelicate as Kipling’s. It stung. But, like the author, I have a broad vision and I’m not easily daunted. I know, as the spirits come knocking, there’s none quite as haunting as resignation.

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

About the author

Barbara Provost

Dr. Barbara Provost MS EdD is the founder of Provost Consulting Inc. Barbara Provost MS EdD is a 25-year veteran of the fast-paced world of Chicago business. With multiple Masters Degrees and a Doctorate in Adult and Continuing Education, Barbara Provost MS EdD is an expert in how adults learn. As a Certified Coach of the International Coaching Federation, Dr. Provost’s one-on-one work focuses on personal, professional, and small business fields.

Related Posts

  • An Execution-Driven Culture
    An Execution-Driven CultureFebruary 2, 2016
  • Are You Building Your Personal Brand?
    Are You Building Your Personal Brand?December 15, 2015
  • New Year, New Goals
    New Year, New GoalsDecember 31, 2014

Popular Posts

  • The Fear of Failure
    The Fear of FailureDecember 9, 2014
  • How Women Learn – PART 2
    How Women Learn – PART 2June 16, 2015
  • How to Work with Women – PART 1
    How to Work with Women – PART 1June 30, 2015
← 7 Effective Ways to Practice Active Listening
It’s Tax Time! Here are 9 Tax Deductions to Consider →

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Connect with Barbara

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on GooglePlusFollow Us on LinkedInFollow Us on Twitter

Contact PCI

Via telephone
(847) 404-4580
Via e-mail
barb@bprovost.com

PCI Newsletter Archives

APRIL 2014
MARCH 2014
FEBRUARY 2014

Would you like to receive these newsletters as monthly emails?

Sign Up Today!

Like PCI on Facebook

Follow PCI on Twitter

My Tweets

Education

Doctor of Adult and Higher Education
MS Adult and Higher Education
MS Business Management

Certifications

WBENC Certified
Provost Consulting, Inc. is a WBENC-certified Women's Business Enterprise

Certified Coach
Graduate of Coach U - Core Essentials, 2009 Coaching
ICF Certified

Tool Box

We are proficient in leveraging these popular tools -

  • Articulate
  • Storyline
  • Blackboard
  • Webex
  • Adobe Connect
  • and more

Connect with PCI

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on LinkedInFollow Us on Google+Follow Us on TwitterFollow Us on You TubeFollow Us on RSS

Search the site

Contact Barbara

Via telephone
(847) 404-4580

Via e-mail
barb@bprovost.com

Recent Posts

  • Give Thanks by Paying it Forward
  • It’s Tax Time! Here are 9 Tax Deductions to Consider
  • Defy Defeat with Walt Disney, Steve Jobs, and More
  • 7 Effective Ways to Practice Active Listening
  • An Execution-Driven Culture
Copyright © 2017 Provost Consulting, Inc.
  • Home
  • Education
  • Coaching
  • Results
  • About
  • Clients
  • Perspectives
  • Let’s Talk
7ads6x98y
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.