Surely one of the best examples of the power of commitment and how 'doing whatever it takes will get you what you want' is the story of Sylvester Stallone.
At his peak, Stallone was one of the most popular and highly paid stars in Hollywood, commanding a fee of US$20m per movie. Was he just born under a lucky star? Was he a naturally talented actor? Was he at the right place at the right time? Hardly. He was someone who seemed to have all the odds stacked up against him.
His family was so poor that his mother had to give birth to him on the doorsteps of a school. A blotched delivery by students caused a facial nerve to be severed, leaving him paralyzed on the right side of his face. As a result, Stallone had to live the rest of his life with slurred speech. He even had to deal with having a drooping lower lip and being made fun of because of his name 'Sylvester' (associated with the Looney Tunes cat). Despite all these limitations, young Stallone dreamed of becoming an actor and inspiring millions of people through his movies.
As you know many young people go through a phase of wanting to be an actor, a star, the difference between Stallone and the rest of youthful dreamers was that his dream was not a merely wishful thinking. To Stallone, it was an absolute must. He was truly committed to doing whatever it took to make it happen.
First he enrolled in acting school and then started going for auditions. Predictably, with his wooden acting, his dopey looks and his slurred speech, Stallone was rejected for every part he applied for. But he never gave up. Doggedly he just kept changing his strategy and taking action.
The way he landed his first part is a fine example of how he was willing to do whatever it took. When he was rejected after yet another audition, he pulled up a chair in front of the manager's office and sat down, refusing to leave unless they gave him a chance. After sitting there for hours, they were so moved by how much he wanted a chance that they relented and gave him a part. Although he appeared for a couple of minutes (as an extra), it gave him that first breakthrough he was after.
Unfortunately, that experience was followed by yet another string of unsuccessful attempts at getting another acting job. At that point, his wife told him to give up his 'stupid dream' and get a real job. His reply was, 'If I get another job, I would lose the only thing I have got going for me, my hunger.' 'By quitting and getting a job, I would be selling out on my dream'.
Stallone eventually wound up so broke and desperate that he was forced to sell his dog for $50 in order to survive. It was the saddest moment in his life because his dog was the one friend he had got left.
At this, the lowest point in his life, he watched a boxing match between then world heavyweight champion Muhammed Ali and Chuck Wepner, an underdog that everyone thought would be defeated within three rounds. What no one expected was Wepners' determination and tenacity. He lasted the total of fifteen rounds with Ali, just refusing to go down.
Sly was so inspired by what he saw that he had visions in his head about a movie that he was going to write. He started writing profusely for 72 hours non-stop until he finished the manuscript for 'Rocky'. He was so excited by the script because in his mind he knew that this was going to be the movie that would change his life and his fortune.
But when he went round attempting to sell his script, everyone felt that it was too predictable and that nobody would be interested in watching a movie about boxing. But he didn't give up. He kept on going and going until one company made him an offer of 125,000 for the script and the rights to make the movie. This should have made Sly overjoyed but his dream was to be an actor and not a writer.
So, he told them that the condition of sale was that he be cast as the lead actor. They objected saying, 'You're a writer! you're not an actor!' 'There is no way we will let you act!' But Sly stood his ground and refused to sell the script if he wasn't the lead actor. They even increased their offer to $250,000, but Sly kept insisting that he fitted the role of 'Rocky', and no one else. Although he was broke and hungry, he refused to sell out his dream for a six- figure pay check. That was his level of commitment!
Eventually they reluctantly agreed, on the condition that the movie be made on a shoe string budget of less than a million dollars and Stallone would get only $35,000 for the writing, directing and acting. Sly would however, get a percentage of the profits, if the movie made money. He agreed immediately.
The first thing Sly did when he got his money was to go in search of the man who bought his dog to buy it back. When he finally tracked down the man, he offered to buy his dog back for $100. The man declined his offer saying that he was not interested. Sly upped his offer to $500. Still the man refused. Sly again upped his offer, this time to $1000. The man still would not budge saying, 'No amount of money will ever convince me to sell this dog.'
While most of us would give up at this point, Sly knew that if he was committed to do whatever it takes, he would find a way. Eventually he did get his dog back. He paid the man a whopping $15,000 and also gave him a part in the movie as part of the deal.
When Rocky was launched at the box office, it grossed over $225 million and was nominated for ten academy awards (including best actor), eventually winning an Oscar for Best Picture & Best Director. Sylvester instantly shot to fame as an action star and lucrative offers came in for future blockbusters, which were to eventuate in First Blood, Rambo and the Rocky sequels. His eventual success came from the fact that to him, becoming an actor was truly a must. He believed that when you are committed enough, there is always a way!
About the Author:
Adam Khoo is an entrepreneur, best-selling author and a self-made millionaire by the age of 26. Discover his million dollar secrets and claim your FREE audio CD program '6 Ways To Achieve Anything' here.
Showing posts with label motivational story. Show all posts
Showing posts with label motivational story. Show all posts
Meraih Peluang Kedua
Sukarkah untuk meraih peluang kedua selepas melakukan kesilapan?
ramai org takut pada kegagalan. kerana percaya tidak mampu meraih peluang kedua dalam hidup. saya ingin ceritakan satu kisah yang saya alami dari perbualan dengan seorg pelajar junior di universiti saya.
semester ini saya harus bekerjasama scr kerja kumpulan dgn junior2 course saya untuk menyiapkan tugasan yg d beri. Semasa meeting kami yg kedua, seorg ahli tidak muncul. salah seorg rakannya memberitahu saya tidak perlulah terlalu bergantung kpd ahli tersebut untuk menyiapkan tugasan, kerana nasibnya di universiti belum pasti lg. Saya terdiam sejenak, kemudian melahirkan rasa simpati. Walaupun saya tidak tahu apa yg terjadi, tetapi saya faham pelajar ini dlm situasi yg sukar & bersendirian.
semalam adlh hari terakhir kami bekerjasama. saya memerhatikan pelajar ini agak pendiam dan tidak mahu menimbulkan byk masalah dlm kumpulan. dia blh memberikan komitmen kepada apa2 kerja yg diberi. pada hari tersebut, saya bertanya padanya apakah perkembangannya sekarang?
pelajar ini menceritakan dia menunggu keputusan seorg datuk. apa yg dpt d lakukannya ialah merayu kpd datuk tersebut utk meringankan hukumannya dan membenarkan dia menduduki peperiksaannya semester ini. dia teruskan jg belajar dan dtg kuliah walaupun keputusan universiti adlh sebaliknya. Buat masa ini dia enggan memikirkan apa kata org lain.apabila pulang ke bilik, dia hanya mahu memikirkan nota2nya shj. surat universiti yg sampai ke rmh tdk d berikan pd ibubapanya. dia memendamnya sendirian.
saya tahu keadaan ini amat sukar baginya. saya katakan teman saya yg d berhentikan universiti pun melakukan hal ini. mereka tidak dpt menceritakan perkara sebenar kerana ia terlalu pahit. dia terkejut. dahulu saya pun memberi reaksi yg sama. saya berikan cth2 teman2 saya yg senasib dgnnya, bagaimana mereka melalui saat2 sukar itu dan bagaimana keadaan mereka sekarang. salah seorg mereka sudah pun menjadi CEO syarikatnya semasa datang pd pentauliahan kami. kami semua slim2, hangus dan cengkung, teman saya ini datang dgn BMW, tunangnya yg cantik, dan perutnya yg ke depan.
pelajar ini memberitahu, partner in crimenya meninggalkan dia sendirian menanggung semua kesalahan. dia sangat marah dan tiada sesiapa dpt menolong. dia pernah terfikir utk terjun bangunan. ia begitu perit baginya kerana makin tinggi kita naik, semakin tinggi tempat menjunam. walaupun begitu, pelajar ini optimis. dia tdk mahu tersungkur. biar kesalahannya yg telah berlalu d jadikan pengajaran berguna dan dia mahu teruskan hidup.
pelajar ini adalah contoh insan yg sedang melalui kegagalan dgn tabah dan sabar. keadaan yg sukar sedang berlaku dlm hidupnya pd waktu ini, tetapi dia menerima kesilapannya dan tlh mula merancang langkahnya pd masa akn dtg.
saya meluahkan rasa kagum dgn kesabarannya dan berharap itu tidak mematahkan semangatnya utk bersaing d universiti ini. Saya berikannya URL ke website billy lim. Supaya apa saja berita buruk selepas ini tidak membuatkannya melompat dari bangunan.
ramai org takut pada kegagalan. kerana percaya tidak mampu meraih peluang kedua dalam hidup. saya ingin ceritakan satu kisah yang saya alami dari perbualan dengan seorg pelajar junior di universiti saya.
semester ini saya harus bekerjasama scr kerja kumpulan dgn junior2 course saya untuk menyiapkan tugasan yg d beri. Semasa meeting kami yg kedua, seorg ahli tidak muncul. salah seorg rakannya memberitahu saya tidak perlulah terlalu bergantung kpd ahli tersebut untuk menyiapkan tugasan, kerana nasibnya di universiti belum pasti lg. Saya terdiam sejenak, kemudian melahirkan rasa simpati. Walaupun saya tidak tahu apa yg terjadi, tetapi saya faham pelajar ini dlm situasi yg sukar & bersendirian.
semalam adlh hari terakhir kami bekerjasama. saya memerhatikan pelajar ini agak pendiam dan tidak mahu menimbulkan byk masalah dlm kumpulan. dia blh memberikan komitmen kepada apa2 kerja yg diberi. pada hari tersebut, saya bertanya padanya apakah perkembangannya sekarang?
pelajar ini menceritakan dia menunggu keputusan seorg datuk. apa yg dpt d lakukannya ialah merayu kpd datuk tersebut utk meringankan hukumannya dan membenarkan dia menduduki peperiksaannya semester ini. dia teruskan jg belajar dan dtg kuliah walaupun keputusan universiti adlh sebaliknya. Buat masa ini dia enggan memikirkan apa kata org lain.apabila pulang ke bilik, dia hanya mahu memikirkan nota2nya shj. surat universiti yg sampai ke rmh tdk d berikan pd ibubapanya. dia memendamnya sendirian.
saya tahu keadaan ini amat sukar baginya. saya katakan teman saya yg d berhentikan universiti pun melakukan hal ini. mereka tidak dpt menceritakan perkara sebenar kerana ia terlalu pahit. dia terkejut. dahulu saya pun memberi reaksi yg sama. saya berikan cth2 teman2 saya yg senasib dgnnya, bagaimana mereka melalui saat2 sukar itu dan bagaimana keadaan mereka sekarang. salah seorg mereka sudah pun menjadi CEO syarikatnya semasa datang pd pentauliahan kami. kami semua slim2, hangus dan cengkung, teman saya ini datang dgn BMW, tunangnya yg cantik, dan perutnya yg ke depan.
pelajar ini memberitahu, partner in crimenya meninggalkan dia sendirian menanggung semua kesalahan. dia sangat marah dan tiada sesiapa dpt menolong. dia pernah terfikir utk terjun bangunan. ia begitu perit baginya kerana makin tinggi kita naik, semakin tinggi tempat menjunam. walaupun begitu, pelajar ini optimis. dia tdk mahu tersungkur. biar kesalahannya yg telah berlalu d jadikan pengajaran berguna dan dia mahu teruskan hidup.
pelajar ini adalah contoh insan yg sedang melalui kegagalan dgn tabah dan sabar. keadaan yg sukar sedang berlaku dlm hidupnya pd waktu ini, tetapi dia menerima kesilapannya dan tlh mula merancang langkahnya pd masa akn dtg.
saya meluahkan rasa kagum dgn kesabarannya dan berharap itu tidak mematahkan semangatnya utk bersaing d universiti ini. Saya berikannya URL ke website billy lim. Supaya apa saja berita buruk selepas ini tidak membuatkannya melompat dari bangunan.
disgrace & glory (part III)
BURNT TO THE GROUND
It was Wednesday evening. My roommate, Nelly and I were doing our own businesses at our hostel apartment. It almost 5.30pm when we heard knocked on our door. Before I could reach the door knob, two familiar guests stepped in. They were looking for me.
“You don’t have any class today? Where’s your room, Jasmine?” she asked me.
I couldn’t utter a word and point my finger to my room. The two ladies were Miss Cordelia, our hostel principle and Miss Jennifer, our facilitator. Miss Jennifer quickly walk to my room and said to Nelly, “Could you please step outside and let me make a quick checking around your room, please.”
“What is this all about, ma’am?” I said in wonder.
Puzzled Nelly walked out of the room and Miss Jennifer shut the door behind her. Miss Cordelia walked to my computer across the living room.
“Is that yours?” she said with her finger pointing to my computer. She browsed through my things lying on the desk next to the PC. My heart just stop beating when she lifted my client’s books, printed articles, letters, and post-it-notes on my PC and held them tight. I instantly catch the meaning to it all.
“Can you show me your computer files, please? I would like to have a look at them,” she said quickly.
I was burnt in silent anger. As I grabbed the mouse, I said in between my breath, “you don’t have to do this. I know what it is all about. It’s about the translation, is it? I did nothing wrong. I have no problem showing you everything I do. I have no problem to co-operate. All you have to do is ask. You really don’t have to do this.”
She remained silent and copied everything I show her to her portable drive. Miss Jennifer appeared from behind and said she found nothing.
“Why are you doing this? Im not a criminal. You can ask me anything. You don’t have to do this,” I said in low deep voice.
She is not satisfied. “What is your name?” she asked Nelly.
“She has nothing to do with this,” I quickly said and shook my head weakly. Oh, my god. She is not involved. “I did everything on my own. Please leave her out of this.”
“Jasmine, don’t interfere. We are not doing this for fun. We are just doing our job. Why are all of you cadets always behaving like this? ” she said to me.
“All of you? Who are you referring to, ma’am, it’s only the two of us in this room,” came my replied. Why do they always generalize us in such a way?
“Ma’am, please understand. You came into my house, you said nothing, rummaging into my things, it’s my privacy… and you won’t listen to me. This is very hard for me to take. I did nothing wrong. Who made you do this? ” I said. I almost begged.
They said nothing.
“We can’t tell you. We are not allowed to. Please understand that we are just doing our job!” she replied in a persuaded voice.
I was speechless for a moment. I said, “but who? You must tell me. ”
“You don’t have any class today? Where’s your room, Jasmine?” she asked me.
I couldn’t utter a word and point my finger to my room. The two ladies were Miss Cordelia, our hostel principle and Miss Jennifer, our facilitator. Miss Jennifer quickly walk to my room and said to Nelly, “Could you please step outside and let me make a quick checking around your room, please.”
“What is this all about, ma’am?” I said in wonder.
Puzzled Nelly walked out of the room and Miss Jennifer shut the door behind her. Miss Cordelia walked to my computer across the living room.
“Is that yours?” she said with her finger pointing to my computer. She browsed through my things lying on the desk next to the PC. My heart just stop beating when she lifted my client’s books, printed articles, letters, and post-it-notes on my PC and held them tight. I instantly catch the meaning to it all.
“Can you show me your computer files, please? I would like to have a look at them,” she said quickly.
I was burnt in silent anger. As I grabbed the mouse, I said in between my breath, “you don’t have to do this. I know what it is all about. It’s about the translation, is it? I did nothing wrong. I have no problem showing you everything I do. I have no problem to co-operate. All you have to do is ask. You really don’t have to do this.”
She remained silent and copied everything I show her to her portable drive. Miss Jennifer appeared from behind and said she found nothing.
“Why are you doing this? Im not a criminal. You can ask me anything. You don’t have to do this,” I said in low deep voice.
She is not satisfied. “What is your name?” she asked Nelly.
“She has nothing to do with this,” I quickly said and shook my head weakly. Oh, my god. She is not involved. “I did everything on my own. Please leave her out of this.”
“Jasmine, don’t interfere. We are not doing this for fun. We are just doing our job. Why are all of you cadets always behaving like this? ” she said to me.
“All of you? Who are you referring to, ma’am, it’s only the two of us in this room,” came my replied. Why do they always generalize us in such a way?
“Ma’am, please understand. You came into my house, you said nothing, rummaging into my things, it’s my privacy… and you won’t listen to me. This is very hard for me to take. I did nothing wrong. Who made you do this? ” I said. I almost begged.
They said nothing.
“We can’t tell you. We are not allowed to. Please understand that we are just doing our job!” she replied in a persuaded voice.
I was speechless for a moment. I said, “but who? You must tell me. ”
Disgrace & glory (part II)
Launching A Dream
When the demands grew bigger and more than I could handled, I started to offer the job to my friends. I thought of an idea on how to keep the money flowing into my pocket without having me working on every single paper.
The idea is networking. I made a network of 5-6 people to do the job and took 20% commission on each client as a project finder & founder. We translate or type a page of article for RM1.50. That is very reasonable compared to some translator who requested RM5.00/page! To give my networkers a boost of motivation, they get 100% profit out from their first client. However, at those times, little did I realize I was building a network, a very powerful tool for entrepreneur to become successful.
When business gets better, I felt it is time to promote and advertise the services. So I began designing posters and get my housemates to evaluate it. Was the poster understandable? Was it too crowded? Does it focused enough on the service or is it too general? I posted them on every faculties and notice board around campus.
We translate or type a page of article for RM1.50. That is very reasonable compared to some translator who requested RM5.00/page! Pasting ads in campus needs approval. I had to get the faculty’s cop and staff-on-duty’s signature. Once approved, my posters were everywhere.
Students beginning to rang my cellphone. Old friends appeared at my door. New friends become buddies.
The idea is networking. I made a network of 5-6 people to do the job and took 20% commission on each client as a project finder & founder. We translate or type a page of article for RM1.50. That is very reasonable compared to some translator who requested RM5.00/page! To give my networkers a boost of motivation, they get 100% profit out from their first client. However, at those times, little did I realize I was building a network, a very powerful tool for entrepreneur to become successful.
When business gets better, I felt it is time to promote and advertise the services. So I began designing posters and get my housemates to evaluate it. Was the poster understandable? Was it too crowded? Does it focused enough on the service or is it too general? I posted them on every faculties and notice board around campus.
We translate or type a page of article for RM1.50. That is very reasonable compared to some translator who requested RM5.00/page! Pasting ads in campus needs approval. I had to get the faculty’s cop and staff-on-duty’s signature. Once approved, my posters were everywhere.
Students beginning to rang my cellphone. Old friends appeared at my door. New friends become buddies.
Disgrace & glory (part I)
Disgrace and glory are only chapters in your diary. It’s true both acronyms molded mindset. But they can’t change who you are right now. Thought the past predicts the future, only you could make the difference.
The Reason is Money
one year, I was very desperate searching a way to make money. I was washing dishes mounting inside the kitchen sink at my ground floor hostel room. My mind was wandering outside an empty space seeking for a solution. Money is the ends to a mean. The contract of my study loan just finished the previous semester. Here I am, decided to extend 2 more semesters to finish a few subject I’ve not yet taken. My parents were not in a good financial condition at that time and I don’t have the heart to ask them for money.
Business premises around the neighbourhood turned down on me. They prefer a permanent worker rather than part-timer undergraduate. Or they want a night-shift waiter to work until 2-3am. Or its too far away I seemingly will be spending half of my wages on transportation alone. For 2 weeks, I’ve been searching for a job, high and low.
The thought of working as an interpreter suddenly arise. That is one of the skills I can be very good at (and you might say I’m not so bad J). At that time, I see that I have only few talents, few things I can do. My self confidence was at a very low par. I was recovering from a long heartache.
To be an interpreter, I don’t even have a clue where to start. Suddenly, Anita, my senior appeared behind the kitchen’s window and sent me good news.
“I have a friend who is currently looking for a translator,” she said.
Immediately I thought that god must have heard me.
“If she’s not in a hurry, I can help,” goes my reply.
“Apparently, she is in a hurry. That is why she needed help. And she is willing to pay. I’m not very good in English, so I’m not suitable for the task. So I thought you might be interested,” Anita said.
I immediately agreed, and we went back to her hostel room. There, her friend, a lady around late thirty sitting on her bed and was holding a paperwork.
She quickly expressed her relief, “thank you very much. Frankly, I can do this by myself, but I have 2 individual assignments due in a few days. My teammates return early to Johor for mid semester breaks and we have to submit this group assignment in a week. I just can’t focus on three things at once,” she said innocently.
I was nodding slightly. Trying to catch every detail she mentioned. Her name is Janice, a school teacher from Johor Bharu, Johor. We were in the same faculty, I took chemistry and she took biotechnology. Both Kak Jane (sis Jane, that is what I address her) and Puan Nita (Nita and I were both military reserved officers, so I address her as Puan: ma’am) are Johorians. They must have met each other in Johorians community club.
After agreeing on a few details, she immediately took out RM50 from her purse. I said she could wait until I have finished the job in the first place. However, she insisted. She look quite desperate and needed a confirmation that it will be done just like promised. I felt pity for her and assured her it will be completed like we agreed. So from the day onward, I decided to become an interpreter, translating BM to English and vice versa. Other than that, I am also a freelance typist.
The Reason is Money
one year, I was very desperate searching a way to make money. I was washing dishes mounting inside the kitchen sink at my ground floor hostel room. My mind was wandering outside an empty space seeking for a solution. Money is the ends to a mean. The contract of my study loan just finished the previous semester. Here I am, decided to extend 2 more semesters to finish a few subject I’ve not yet taken. My parents were not in a good financial condition at that time and I don’t have the heart to ask them for money.
Business premises around the neighbourhood turned down on me. They prefer a permanent worker rather than part-timer undergraduate. Or they want a night-shift waiter to work until 2-3am. Or its too far away I seemingly will be spending half of my wages on transportation alone. For 2 weeks, I’ve been searching for a job, high and low.
The thought of working as an interpreter suddenly arise. That is one of the skills I can be very good at (and you might say I’m not so bad J). At that time, I see that I have only few talents, few things I can do. My self confidence was at a very low par. I was recovering from a long heartache.
To be an interpreter, I don’t even have a clue where to start. Suddenly, Anita, my senior appeared behind the kitchen’s window and sent me good news.
“I have a friend who is currently looking for a translator,” she said.
Immediately I thought that god must have heard me.
“If she’s not in a hurry, I can help,” goes my reply.
“Apparently, she is in a hurry. That is why she needed help. And she is willing to pay. I’m not very good in English, so I’m not suitable for the task. So I thought you might be interested,” Anita said.
I immediately agreed, and we went back to her hostel room. There, her friend, a lady around late thirty sitting on her bed and was holding a paperwork.
She quickly expressed her relief, “thank you very much. Frankly, I can do this by myself, but I have 2 individual assignments due in a few days. My teammates return early to Johor for mid semester breaks and we have to submit this group assignment in a week. I just can’t focus on three things at once,” she said innocently.
I was nodding slightly. Trying to catch every detail she mentioned. Her name is Janice, a school teacher from Johor Bharu, Johor. We were in the same faculty, I took chemistry and she took biotechnology. Both Kak Jane (sis Jane, that is what I address her) and Puan Nita (Nita and I were both military reserved officers, so I address her as Puan: ma’am) are Johorians. They must have met each other in Johorians community club.
After agreeing on a few details, she immediately took out RM50 from her purse. I said she could wait until I have finished the job in the first place. However, she insisted. She look quite desperate and needed a confirmation that it will be done just like promised. I felt pity for her and assured her it will be completed like we agreed. So from the day onward, I decided to become an interpreter, translating BM to English and vice versa. Other than that, I am also a freelance typist.
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