Month: April 2016 Page 1 of 2

There are countless stories of how many famous people had to overcome disappointment and rejection.

For example Steven Spielberg was rejected from the University of Southern California School of Theatre, Film and Television three times before becoming famous for his big budget box office film successes.

JK Rowling went from depending on welfare to survive to being one of the richest women in the world in a span of only five years through her hard work and determination.

Today some of Monet’s work sells for millions of pounds but during his lifetime his work was mocked and rejected by the artistic elite.

There may be occasions when you have put forward ideas or suggestions and people have not been persuaded. Alternatively, you may have spent hours developing something only for your efforts to prove fruitless despite having previously received positive vibes and encouragement.

Rejection such as this can be frustrating and temporarily hit your confidence and motivation levels.

Whilst doing some research recently I came across some examples of when people’s ideas and suggestions were knocked back and as you will see the “rest is history.” Hopefully they will inspire you to persevere if you encounter a setback or rejection in the future:

• “I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.” Thomas Watson, Chairman of IBM 1943.
• “We don’t like their sound and guitar music is on the way out.” Decca recording company after rejecting The Beatles.
• “Drill for oil? You mean drill into the ground to try and find oil? You’re crazy.” Workers whom Edwin L Drake tried to enlist to his project to drill for oil in 1859.
• “Radio has no future. Heavier than air flying machines are impossible. X rays will prove to be a hoax.” William Thompson (Lord Kelvin) British Scientist.
• “The Americans have need of the telephone, but we do not. We have plenty of messenger boys.” Sir William Preece, Chief Engineer of the British Post Office, 1876.
• “It will be years, not in my time before a woman will become Prime Minister.” Margaret Thatcher 1974.

This week, why not take a few moments to reflect and consider if there is a situation professionally or personally where you need to show greater perseverance or determination.

What different approaches or action steps might you attempt?

This week’s quotation:

“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.” John Quincy Adams.

To arrange a free no obligation consultation, please contact Stephen Pauley via the contact form or by e mail: Stephen@befirstclass.co.uk

It was Henry Ford who said “if you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.”

This quotation was appropriate for a discussion I had with a client recently.

They were explaining to me that their business was successful and profitable but they were frustrated because they weren’t hitting the growth targets they had set.

We talked about some of the business processes and in particular the business development techniques they were using. They felt that things needed freshening up and new and different approaches introduced. These changes related to the way they developed new business and grew income from existing clients.

They told me they knew what Einstein was getting at when he said “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

To spark some inspiration and creative and innovative thinking we discussed some of the messages contained in a book I read many years ago called “Who Moved My Cheese?” by Dr Spencer Johnson.

The book is a simple parable about four characters who live in a maze and look for cheese to nourish them and make them happy.

Cheese is a metaphor for what you want in life and the maze is where you look for what you want e.g. the business you work in, the community you live in or the relationships you have in life.

Each of the characters in the book established their own routines and went to the cheese supply daily to stock up. Eventually the cheese supply runs out.

Despite this, two of the characters keep going to same location and get frustrated when they don’t discover any cheese. The other two go off in search of new supplies and eventually their efforts are rewarded when they find a much larger store of cheese.

There are many simple powerful messages and suggestions contained in the book on ways to effectively manage and deal with change. One of them relates to what one character says to another: “Sometimes things change and they are never the same again. This looks like one of those times. That’s life! Life moves on and so should we.”

My client conceded that they were a little concerned at having to leave familiar methods and ways of working and take a step into the unknown. I understood this and explained that I find this to be a very common reaction to change. I posed a question that got them into action and helped to start an action plan. The question was “what would you do if you weren’t afraid?”

This week, why not take a few moments and reflect on a task or project that you are involved with. Consider if it requires you to adopt a change of approach or different strategies to improve the outcome. If so, what will be your first step?

This week’s quotation:

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi

To arrange a free no obligation consultation, please contact Stephen Pauley via the contact form or by e mail: Stephen@befirstclass.co.uk

Recently I went to see the film “Eddie the Eagle” which stars Taron Egerton as Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards.

Michael Edwards, better known as Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards was a British skier who in 1988 became the first competitor to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping at the Calgary Olympics. It’s a funny and heart-warming movie and charts Eddie’s dream of being an Olympian.

After reading a book at the age of 10 about Magical moments from the Olympics, Eddie developed a dream to participate at the Olympic Games. After being left out of the British skiing team, he decides to learn the very dangerous sport of ski jumping. He took part in the 70 and 90 metre jump competitions at Calgary where he finished last. He became famous as an example of an underdog and achievement without funding. His efforts and spirit were loved by the crowds at the Games.

Eddie only had a year to learn and practice before the Games. He was up against competitors who had been ski jumping for many years and in some cases before they were 10 years old.

He didn’t enter the competition thinking that he was going to win. It was enough for Eddie to qualify and fulfill his dream. He had to overcome ridicule, prejudice, a lack of money, injury and disappointment in his journey to the Olympics.

He didn’t let any of these circumstances stop him. He showed great drive, courage, perseverance and kept focused on his goal. The film mentioned a quote by the founder of the Olympic Games Pierre de Coubertin which we can all learn something from. He said “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.”

When I reflected on the insights we can take from the film and Eddie’s story the following came to mind:

• It’s never too late to pursue a goal or dream
• If your desire is strong enough you can achieve whatever you set your mind to do
• When you have an ambition, don’t let other people’s negativity put you off course
• A clear sense of vision and focus help you accomplish goals
• Courage, spirit and tenacity are magical qualities to have when you’re pursuing a dream
• We do best what we love and feel passionate about

This week, why not take a few moments to reflect and consider if there is something you have always wanted to do, somewhere you have wanted to visit, something you’ve wanted to learn or a hobby that you have wanted to start. If so, decide what could be your first step to make it happen.

This week’s quotation:

“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” Epictetus.

To arrange a free no obligation consultation, please contact Stephen Pauley via the contact form or by e mail: Stephen@befirstclass.co.uk