Fred Smith wrote a
term paper based on an idea for reliable overnight delivery. His professor gave
him a C because the idea wasn't feasible. Years later, many potential investors agreed with the
professor, refusing to send capital Smith's way. The funds he did raise in 1971
and '72 were gone by '74, along with his investors. One catchy slogan and
several million dollars of hard-won capital later, Federal Express was on its
way to long-term success. .
Steve Jobs wanted to give everyone a computer at a time when nobody realized computers were necessary to have. He founded Apple to create home computers, experienced some early success, faltered in the consumer market with the expensive Macintosh, was ousted from the company he founded, dabbled in computer animated movies-Pixar ring a bell?-and was eventually asked to return to his first love, where he turned around Apple at a time when it was in trouble."
You may be down on capitalism and frozen food, even Apple and Lucille Ball, but the point I wish to make is that when we make up our minds and stick to our beliefs, things start happening that we never thought possible. Tomes have been written on this topic, but here is a poem that I think cuts to the heart of the matter:
Couldn't Be Done
by Edgar Al be rt Guest
Somebody said that it couldn't be done,
But, he with a chuckle replied
That "may be it couldn't," but he would be one
Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done,
and he did it.
Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you'll never do that ;
At least no one has done it";
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
And the first thing we knew he'd be gun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done,
and he did it.
There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle it in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
That "couldn't be done,"
and you'll do it.
And a video that I believe does justice to the poem:
http://www.yesmagazine.org/for-teachers/curriculum/words-that-inspire-it-couldnt-be-done
For those who prefer quotes:
The great pleasure in life is doing what people
say you cannot do. Walter Bagehot
I have learned to use the word
"impossible" with the greatest caution. Wernher von Braun
All things are possible until they are proved
impossible -- and even the impossible may only be so, as of now. Pearl S. Buck, A Bridge for Passing (1937)
If someone says "can't," that shows you
what to do. Advice from John Cage's father
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