Reaching for your goals

I had the below list read out to us once as an inspirational suggestion of what hard work and persistence can do for you. I'm not knocking persistence but the illustration often used is about Abraham Lincoln and his success that came from persistence.

So here is what they said in a meeting as a good list of what perseverance gets you...


Abraham Lincoln...

Failed in business at age 21.
Was defeated in a legislative race at age 22.
Failed again in business at age 24.
Overcame the death of his sweetheart at age 26.
Had a nervous breakdown at age 27.
Lost a congressional race at age 34.
Lost a congressional race at age 36.
Lost a senatorial race at age 45.
Failed in an effort to become vice-president at age 47.
Lost a senatorial race at age 47.

Was elected PRESIDENT of the United States at age 52!


Now, at that meeting I raised my hand and said "And then he got assassinated!" ......and the room erupted.