You may know him as Rambo, Rocky or one of the many other heroic names and characters he portrays in his block busting movies since the 70’s. What most people don’t know is how Sylvester Stallone started. What beginnings he came from and what personal and professional pain he suffered to crack the code into the big time. The Sylvester Stallone Success Story is another Rags to Riches success story most people are unfamiliar with and I wish to share with you today.
Why is this relevant to you? Because the lessons in his story are generic to success. Success is a recipe and if you follow it, you to must therefore become successful just like Sly. Here is some insight into Sylvester Stallone’s recipe for success:
Failure
He was repeatedly rejected and told he had “the face for radio” and “the voice for the deaf”, in many different words. When he was hired, he was hired as a “goon” and was led to believe there is no room in Hollywood for his face, voice and looks.
Personal Pain
Not only was Sly a starving artist, his first wife eventually tired of supporting his dream and left him. Alone with just his dog in a “heat-less” apartment through winter, with no electricity as he could not pay for his utilities and rental and was soon to be evicted. He reached the point where he had to choose who eats…him or the dog? He was forced to sell his dear and loyal friend Bhaktus to a man known as “Little Jimmy” who he met at a local liquor store for just $50.
Inspiration
Broke, alone but with huge inspiration, upon watching a massive boxing heavy weight title fight, Sly Stallone wrote like a mad man. The idea of Rocky, the characters, the scenes and script unfolded. He wrote incessantly for 24 hours and took to market his script with the leading producers and directors of that time. Success does not just pay dividends because you are inspired. It also requires perseverance.
Perseverance
Stallone went from offer to offer with the proposal being scooped up by the film producers and directors but with one condition. They would hire a star name to play the lead character. There was no room for Sly in his own movie. The offers to buy the script increased from $100 000.00 to $400 000.00 but without Sly in it. Stallone would not relent. This was his script, his role and his big break. They finally agreed on a fee of $25 000.00 upfront and shared risk and reward. They would not pay him the big bucks in fear. What if the movie failed?
Success
With $25 000.00 in his pocket Sly subsequently bought back his dog Bhaktus for a whopping $3 000.00. That’s a great return on investment, ask any financial advisor. Little Jimmy and Bhaktus were both cast in the blockbuster movie, Rocky. The movie went on to win the Academy Award, for best picture in 1976.
The rest as they would say is history, along with the multiple block busting sequels that followed. It also launched Sly Stallone’s career as an action figure hero, starred in many other titles; Rambo, Game Over, The Expendables etc.
Not only has he made it, he was no one hit wonder. He has immense staying power. Through the decades, you, your parents and kids have experienced the Stallone brand and have voted with your feet at cinema’s, T.V, movie rentals and DVD purchases. The latest Stallone offering being Expendables 3 which is currently showing at a cinema near you.
Here is a lesser known fact: As a leading actor in 34 films, Sly has raked in $3,346,408,505 in worldwide aggregate box office takings. Not too shabby for a 30+ year career for a guy who was not categorized as a potential star or block buster quality.
Here are some take aways for your Monday dinner:
1. Do not let anyone else determine your value. Only you know your worth. Only you can demonstrate it.
2. Failure is just natures way of saying try again but use another way. Keep trying, no defeat, no depression. Keep trying.
3. Who said there wont be pain? Success is not always an easy ride. There will be challenges and obstacles along the way. Prepare for it.
4. How to overcome the pain? Stay inspired. There is inspiration on every corner, in every picture, in every note, in every word, in every relationship. Just harvest the inspiration and more pours forth.
5. Persevere. Don’t get weepy eyed. Get involved…more. Every great man and woman of our times across business, religion, philosophy and across all disciplines persevered with pride. They were not going to quit…ever. Think Gandhi, Martin Luther King (Jnr), Mother Theresa, Thomas Edison, The Wright brothers, Steve Jobs and countless others…persevered.
6. Success begets success. Hit one home run and you learn possibility. Hit a hundred home runs you reap a new habit. Stallone has made a habit of success.
Don’t try to be Sylvester Stallone, just be YOU. Pursue your dreams and goals. Make them happen, now. Not some obscure day in the future that may never come. Start today!!!
If you wish to Sponsor this and related inspirational and motivational talks, training and coaching on Sales, Customer Excellence, Leadership and Personal & Professional Mastery then contact me.
Wishing you constant and never ending inspiration and motivation!!!
I’m your coach and partner in success…
Vinesh Maharaj
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Mobile: 084 990 1539
Fax: 086 402 0477
Email: vineshmaharaj@no-excuses.co.za
Contact Vinesh Maharaj today to get tangible results for your organization!!!
Mobile: 084 990 1539
Fax: 086 402 0477
Email: vineshmaharaj@no-excuses.co.za
Contact Vinesh Maharaj today to get tangible results for your organization!!!
Perhaps you will brush it aside as being too simple and keep on with your current performance. Those who have taken this advice and apply it daily, update me regularly on how they are increasing their sales.
Vinesh Maharaj: Your coach and partner in success 