6 Super-Successful People Who Should Have Never Made It

Everyone loves a good story, and these six are no exception.

We call them underdogs and dreamers. Garth Brooks says they “stand outside the fire,” and they're the ones who go down in the history books as people to be admired and studied.

Who are they?

These successful people are the ones who stopped listening to the advice of others, followed their hearts and pursued a dream worth fighting for. If you've ever been told to sit down, shut up, fall in line, keep your head down, or blend in, this post is for you.

If anyone has ever told you, “that'll never work,” keep reading…

6 Super-Successful People Who Should Have Never Made It

The Beatles – Bad sound

We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out

– Decca Recording Company, 1962

Just two years after they started, Ringo, Paul, George, and John were declined for a record deal and told they made bad music. But, they continued to play in bars around Liverpool, England. They're now one of the bestselling bands of all time and hold the record for most #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Like Meryl, The Beatles didn't give up and were awarded a lifetime achievement award in 2014.

They're now one of the bestselling bands of all time and hold the record for most #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Like Meryl, The Beatles didn't give up and were awarded a lifetime achievement award in 2014.

You can read more about The Beatles on their Wikipedia page.

Meryl Streep – Too ugly

Early in her career, Streep was turned down for the 1976 version of Dino De Laurentiis' King Kong for not being attractive enough. Had she taken the hint, she wouldn't have gone on to become one of the most successful (and most awarded) actors of all time.

Streep has been nominated more than any other actor, male or female, in history, has received 29 Golden Globes, and earned a lifetime achievement award from the American Film Institute.

You can read more about Meryl Streep on her Wikipedia page.

Vince Flynn – Illiterate writer

One of my favorite authors of all time, Vince Flynn, was diagnosed with dyslexia in grade school and struggled with reading his entire life. I can't find it documented, but I'd bet he was called “stupid” at least once while growing up.

After quitting his job to pursue his dream of writing, he was rejected over 60 times before he decided to self-publish his novel Term Limits and sell it out of the trunk of his car. Almost all of his novels have reached “bestseller” status, many of them taking the #1 slot.

You can read more about Vince Flynn on his Wikipedia page.

Ronald Reagan – Not Presidential

Seventeen years before serving as the 40th President of the United States, a United Artist executive said Reagan “doesn't have that presidential look” and was turned down to play the role of President in The Best Man. I'm sure Reagan grew up a lot between 1964 and 1980, but I know that stinging rebuke was running through his mind during his campaign.

During his Presidency, Reagan reduced inflation, increased the GDP and won re-election in 1984 by the largest margin in history. Reagan was awarded The Presidential Medal of Freedom and Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, the highest honors possible from the United States and British governments respectively. How do ya like me now Mr. UA exec!

You can read more about Ronald Reagan on his Wikipedia page.

Walt Disney – No imagination

In 1919, Walt Disney was fired from the Kansas City Star because he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.” After that, Disney started several other businesses, all of which failed. He filed for bankruptcy with the precursor to The Walt Disney Company, Laugh-O-Gram Studio.

After that, Disney started several other businesses, all of which failed. He filed for bankruptcy with the precursor to The Walt Disney Company, Laugh-O-Gram Studio.

Now Walt Disney Studios is one of the most successful and well-recognized companies in the world with almost $50 Billion in annual revenue.

So much for “no good ideas.”

You can read more about Walt Disney on his Wikipedia page.

Arnold Schwarzenegger – Too Awkward

Arnold grew up in a village in extreme poverty where his peers teased him for wanting to pursue bodybuilding. His friends harassed him, and his father tried to get him to quit, calling him an “embarrassment.” In the military, when his fellow soldiers went to bed, Arnold went to the gym. Even though he was the only person who could visualize the goal and how to achieve it, he didn't give up.

When he moved to the United States and decided to pursue a career in acting, people told him he'd never make it. His accent was extreme, his body was too big, and his name was too long. He was told to be “realistic.”

At 18, Schwarzenegger won his first competition though he had no coach or formal training. He never took “no” for an answer and used that philosophy as a blueprint for the rest of his life. Arnold won the Mr. Olympia competition seven times, became one of the biggest action stars in movie history, and served as governor of California for eight years.

You can read more about Arnold Schwarzenegger on his Wikipedia page.

I hope you've found the stories of these successful people as inspiring as I do. Just because an “expert” tells you to sit down, shut up, or go home doesn't mean you should listen.

Image Credits:

• Photo credit: marycesyl, via Foter.com / CC BY-NC
• Photo credit: Zero Emission Resource Organisation viaFoter.com / CC BY