Steven Spielberg
Spielberg was rejected from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinema Arts twice, but went on to become one of the most successful filmmakers of all time, directing blockbusters like Jaws, E.T., and Jurassic Park.
J.K. Rowling
Before becoming a bestselling author with the Harry Potter series, Rowling was severely depressed, recently divorced, and nearly penniless as a single mother on welfare. She persisted and her first Harry Potter book was a huge success.
Michael Jordan
Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team, but used that as motivation to become one of the greatest basketball players ever, winning 6 NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls.
Thomas Edison
Despite being told by teachers that he was “too stupid to learn anything”, Edison went on to hold over 1,000 patents and invent groundbreaking technologies like the phonograph and practical electric lamp.
Oprah Winfrey
Winfrey was fired from her first TV job as a news anchor for being “unfit for television”, but she persevered and built a massively successful media empire.These examples show that failure and rejection early on did not stop these individuals from ultimately achieving great success in their respective fields. Overcoming initial setbacks and learning from failures can be key to eventual triumph.