Dream Job Coaching

 

A Symphony of Setbacks

by Joel Garfinkle, Dream Job Coaching

Achieving the desires of a lifetime often requires an unquenchable spirit, sweat, and energy well beyond what we think is possible or even reasonable. These prerequisites culminate in one overriding quality: undying commitment.

So how do we know when we are committed enough? Easy… whenever we achieve what we set out to do, as the individuals making up the melody for this five-part “symphony of temporary setbacks” so harmoniously demonstrate:

  • Cyrus H.K. Curtis lost over $800,000 on the Saturday Evening Post before his initial investment even returned a measly $1 profit.
  • Marathoner Joan Benoit underwent knee surgery only 17 days before the U.S. Olympic trials. Her determination enabled her to not only make the team, but also to capture the first-ever Olympic gold medal for her event.
  • The great Fran Tarkenton was told he was too small to be a quarterback, too slow on his feet, and too weak to take the punishment. However, this young man from Georgia’s diehard efforts resulted in the longest running reign for a quarterback in NFL history.
  • Michelangelo endured seven long years lying flat on his back on a scaffold to paint the Sistine Chapel.
  • In 1902, the poetry editor of the Atlantic Monthly returned the work of a 28-year old poet with the following note: “Our magazine has no room for your vigorous verse.” Robert Frost persevered.

We may never write legendary poetry, win Olympic gold, invent a new product, or start a multimillion-dollar magazine. But whatever our dreams are, the willingness to commit until we conqueror will determine if our “symphony of setbacks” ends on a high or a low note.

COACHING TIP: Exchanging Setbacks For Success

The above article shows how some world famous individuals and organizations used their setbacks to fuel lasting success by internalizing the following three principles:

  1. Achieving the desires of a lifetime requires an undying commitment well beyond what we think is possible or even reasonable.
  2. We know when we are committed enough to our dreams, whenever we finally achieve what we set out to do.
  3. Our willingness to commit until we conqueror determines if our life’s “symphony of setbacks” ends on a high or a low note.

Copyright ©2004 - 2008 Joel Garfinkle, All Rights Reserved.

Joel Garfinkle provides a step-by-step Dream Job process that has guided thousands of clients to find the perfect job and reach career fulfillment. For Career Coaching Services, visit Dream Job Coaching.

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