Sustaining Motivation and Persevering
Social Emotional Learning covers a wide variety of topics. Similarly to how history is broad and can entail ancient history, modern history, nation specific history, SEL is also quite a subject that covers a wide variety of subtopics.
One such topic is the concept of motivation. How can motivation be harnessed. What creates and decays motivation. At Resilience, we understand the importance of motivation as it pertains to an individual’s overall mental and emotional strength and Resilience.
A quick tip to boost one’s motivation is to realize that many highly successful individuals have endured setbacks.
The path towards is success is often much longer than anticipated, and can be more difficult than expected. For a dose of motivation, read a few of the stories below of success stories that involved set backs. We don’t consider them failures, because these people never stopped trying.
The stories of Colonel Harland Sanders, Abraham Lincoln, and Mark Zuckerberg are profound illustrations of how setbacks and failures can shape individuals and ultimately lead to remarkable success.
Colonel Sanders, the iconic founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), faced a series of setbacks throughout his life. At the age of 65, he found himself with a meager social security check and a recipe for fried chicken, embarking on a journey to bring his culinary creation to the world. Prior to this, Sanders had experienced a string of unsuccessful ventures and personal challenges. He endured multiple job losses, financial struggles, and even business failures. Despite these setbacks, Sanders remained undeterred, driven by an unwavering belief in his product and a relentless determination to succeed. His resilience in the face of adversity eventually led to the founding of KFC, a global fast-food empire that revolutionized the industry and cemented his place in history as a pioneer of fried chicken.
Similarly, Abraham Lincoln’s path to greatness was marked by numerous setbacks and failures. Before ascending to the presidency and leading the United States through one of its most tumultuous periods, Lincoln faced a litany of personal, professional, and political challenges. At the age of 23, he lost his job and failed in his bid for the state legislature. Tragically, three years later, he experienced the devastating loss of his beloved Ann Rutledge. Despite these hardships, Lincoln persevered, channeling his setbacks into opportunities for growth and learning. Over the years, he suffered defeats in elections, business ventures, and even his personal life. Yet, through it all, Lincoln remained steadfast in his commitment to his principles and his vision for a united and free nation. His resilience in the face of adversity ultimately propelled him to the highest office in the land and secured his place as one of the greatest leaders in American history.
Introduction to Mark Zuckerberg, the visionary behind Facebook, often feels unnecessary given the ubiquitous nature of the platform, which has become a cornerstone of modern digital connectivity, reaching a vast portion of the global population. His life has even served as inspiration for the widely acclaimed film, The Social Network.
However, Zuckerberg’s journey to fame, wealth, and popularity was far from linear. In the early days of Facebook’s inception, originally known as thefacebook.com, Zuckerberg encountered significant legal challenges when he was sued by Cameron Winklevoss, Tyler Winklevoss, and Divya Narendra. This legal battle brought forth immense frustration and stress, underscoring the turbulent nature of Zuckerberg’s entrepreneurial beginnings. Ultimately, the lawsuit was resolved with a settlement of 1.2 million Facebook shares.
Prior to the launch of thefacebook.com, Zuckerberg had experimented with Facemash, a platform allowing students to compare photos and vote on the more attractive individual. However, this endeavor faced criticism and backlash from students who objected to their photos being used without consent. Harvard University intervened, shutting down Facemash and prompting Zuckerberg to issue apologies for the site’s controversial nature, leading the student newspaper to denounce it as “completely improper.”
Despite the initial hurdles and controversies, Facebook’s ascent to success is undeniable. Zuckerberg now ranks among the wealthiest individuals globally, a testament to the platform’s unprecedented impact and reach. His journey from adversity to triumph serves as a compelling narrative of resilience, innovation, and the transformative power of entrepreneurship.
The stories of Colonel Sanders, Abraham Lincoln, and Mark Zuckerberg serve as powerful reminders of the transformative power of resilience and perseverance. Despite facing seemingly insurmountable odds and enduring countless setbacks, all three individuals remained steadfast in their pursuit of their goals. Their journeys inspire us to embrace failure as a stepping stone to success, to cultivate resilience in the face of adversity, and to never lose sight of our dreams, no matter how daunting the challenges may seem.