IS IT REALLY A FAILURE? Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm. Winston Churchill

The Beatles

“We don’t like their sound” The Beatles is, undoubtedly, one of the greatest (some people even claim “the greatest”) band in world music history. They started performing in 1960 and they gained popularity in 1962. However, before they started their career in music, lots of recording companies had already rejected them. Actually one of them claimed: “We don’t like their sound and guitar music is on the way out. I’m sorry, but The Beatles will never be successful in show business”. The Beatles gained a global popularity. Some members of the band are still making music.

Marilyn Monroe

"Unattractive and cannot act” Marilyn Monroe is, according to many people, “the most beautiful woman ever.” In 1947, although they still had one year to finish, 20th Century Fox decided to cancel their contract with Monroe and they explained: “We have had difficulties in working with her. She has been showing an extremely poor performance. We also think that she is unattractive and she can’t act.” Marilyn didn’t give up. She was working while her friends were enjoying themselves. Finally, she managed to become a famous actress and pop icon.

Thomas Edison

"Too stupid to learn anything” Thomas Edison developed many devices which greatly influenced life in the 20th century. Scientist have agreed that he is one of the most valuable scientists ever. Edison still holds 1,093 patents to his name. When he was a little boy, his teacher told that him he was too stupid to learn anything. He had tried more than 9,000 experiments before he created the first successful light bulb. In 1910, he stated: “I’ve been working for a long time. I’m working at the moment and I will be working when I die.”

Ludwig van Beethoven

"As a composer, he is hopeless” This is what his music teacher told to Beethoven. German composer of classical music has been one of the most inspiring figures in the history of classical music. He has inspired lots of great musicians and there are millions of people who are still listening to his songs. Before he started his career, his music teacher said: “As a composer, he is hopeless. I know that he will be trying but he isn’t going to succeed.” During his career, he lost his ability of hearing and still managed to produce great music although he was deaf.

Michael Jordan

"He lacks skill, he can’t be in the school team” If you ask anyone “Who is the greatest basketball player ever?”, you will probably receive the same answer from most of them: “Michael Jordan, of course!”. Unfortunately, his coach in the high school team didn’t think the same. He said to Jordan one day: “You lack skill boy. I’m sorry, but this is the truth. Don’t lose time playing basketball. I’m sure you will succeed in other fields”. There was no other field for Jordan. He went home, locked himself in his room and cried. That was actually the day that changed his life forever.