Overcoming Incredible Odds

I've just started reading a book called Mentored By a Millionaire by Steven K. Scott. And while I haven't finished it (so I'm not fully recommending it!!), the beginning of the book shares stories of some of the challenges successful people have had to overcome to reach their goals. Here a couple of examples from the book, along with a couple of my own.

After graduating number 299 out of 301 students, this man went on to flunk out of college after getting a track scholarship. Challenged by his mom's several suicide attempts, many had written him off as someone who wouldn't amount to much. Yet, this man went on to become one of the most successful actor, writer, and director in the history of television. Who is it? Michael Landon.

After dropping out of school in the 8th grade, he never got to read the school physic books that said it was impossible to make a radio small enough to fit into a car. He went on to invent the first car radio, the autopilot system, the 8-track recording cartridge, and proved the experts wrong when they said it was no market for small corporate jets - and he made a lot of money proving them wrong. Ever hear of Lear Jets? That would all be due to the man who did all of this: Bill Lear.

What about the boy who followed in his father's professional footsteps? After graduating with honors from Princeton University and the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he received his MD, he returned home to the University of Colorado for his residency in Internal Medicine. Then, in a move that shocked patients and parents alike, he quit his job as a doctor and moved out to Hollywood to pursue stand up comedy. He has never looked back. After lots of success on the comedy circuit, he's now the "Go To Guy" as a host on the #1 show on the Style Network - Clean House. He also hosts a spin-off show called Clean House Comes Clean that is the #2 show on the network. Who is it? Matt Iseman.

A young woman was born to drug addicted parents who were both HIV positive. When her mother died when she was 16, her father moved to a homeless shelter, leaving her alone and homeless. Starting high school later than most students, she remained without a stable home while supporting herself and her sister. Overcoming incredible odds, she received a scholarship from the New York Times to Harvard University. She is now a successful speaker and workshop leader and has been featured on ABC News 20/20, Good Morning America, the Today Show, CNN, and written up in The New York Times, People magazine as well as numerous other media outlets. She has authored advice columns in the New York Times Upfront Magazine. Who is she? Liz Murray

So what about you? What incredible odds do you need to overcome to make your goals and dreams a reality? Have people written you off ? Are you in a career that's not your true calling? Have you had to deal with financial troubles, lack of education, a career change, toxic relationships, bad marriage, abusive parents, or fear? Whatever the obstacle, why not find a way around it, over it, or through it - dealing with it once and for all?

Because just the like the people above, you CAN overcome incredible odds.