A Toast to Tenacity by financial literacy expert, author and lecturer Narcisse Dargenson
In the pursuit of wealth one may find many obstacles that
will keep them from accomplishing their goals. For many would be business
owners these obstacles include financing, execution and marketing. However
another major obstacle that stands in the way for many people is negativity. It
appears every time one has a dream or a goal that is outside the box of the
norm one is faced with an onset of negativity. The negativity of people who
don’t believe in your vision or don’t think it can come to pass. The negativity
comes in the form of comments like “you can’t do that” or the famous two letter
word “no”.
The negativity can come from friends, family, executives, etc. The
negativity is extremely hurtful when it comes from people that are close like
friends and family. Yet one has no other choice but to keep going, keep trying
and keep building towards your dreams. The interesting thing about our society
is that it tends to be negative. Instead of encouraging dreams and ideas many
people put them down. In some cases the negativity is a secret twisted form of
envy. The person that is telling you no, is secretly afraid or your gifts and
potential. Many people are so insecure that they hurt other people’s
ideas because they are afraid of being left behind. Some of the art and
creativity we enjoy today would never have been a reality if negative people
got their way. Many of the best businesses and success stories were the result
of people who kept their dreams alive and never gave up on their passions.
“Tenacity (noun): the quality or state of being tenacious”. They Told Them No!
Some of the gate keepers of creativity could not recognize
it even if it slapped them in the face.
Ms. Rowling was a teacher and worked for Amnesty International before
she decided to write her first
book. It was during her train ride back and
forth from Manchester to London that the idea came about for her first book
Harry Potter ‘Philosopher’s Stone’. None of the original 12 publishers thought
her creative expression would be worth anything. If she stopped after the 5th
rejection she would never have become successful. According to J.K. Rowling “A
lot of people didn’t want it,” Rowling said. “A lot… and for some reason, I was
even quite pleased at the rejection letters – F. Scott Fitzergerald got
rejection letters, it’s part of being a writer.” In spite of going through a
difficult time in her life, Rowling persisted with the story. “I did really
believe in it… I just had faith in the story. ”She had tenacity. Finally her
manuscript was accepted by Bloomsbury Publishing. The Harry Potter series made
Ms. Rowling a billionaire! She went from being told no to becoming a
billionaire. She is the only author in history to ever become a billionaire.
“Tenacious (adjective): persistent in maintaining, adhering
to, or seeking something valued or desired”
The year was 1996 and
a young Brooklyn rapper named Shawn Carter was introduced to the hip hop seen.
What made Mr. Carter different than other rappers was the way he came into the
hip hop industry. Mr. Carter better known as Jay-Z was in his mid-twenties at
the time. During that time A&Rs and record executives passed him over
because they felt he was too old for music. Record label after record label
passed him over. Jay-Z did not let the executives stop his vision but kept
trying and pushing. He ended up taking matters in his own hands and started his
own independent record label. He created Roc-a-Fella records with two other
partners Damon Dash and Kareem Burke. Fast forward to the future Jay-Z is one
of the most successful rappers in history. He has over $45 million in album
sales and has used that to influence and build a marketing, publishing and
clothing empire. Imagine what would have happened if he listen to the creative
gate keepers? “Knew if I paid my dues, how will they pay you,/ When you
first come in the game, they try to play you/Then you drop a couple of hits,
look how they wave to you”- Jay-Z. Keep Trying.
There are times when your dreams seem impossible but you
must continue. Obstacles that come in your way are only there to make you
stronger. One must continue to fight and try to accomplish their dream. One can
always take a break from the stress of pursuing one’s dream but never give up.
The alternative is a normal mediocre life that you will soon regret. Some
people are built for the mandate 9 to 5 corporate life. While other people
loath such an idea. One must search deep in their hearts to find out who they
are. Are you different? Do you have dreams of having your own and being your
own boss? If your dream is to be independent than keep trying!
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Great article
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