Most of you reading this have mostly likely heard of Sylvester Stallone, also known as, “Rocky Balboa”. You are probably familiar with his acting career and his success, but are you familiar with what he went through to get where he is today?
The Sylvester Stallone Story
After college, Sylvester Stallone moved to New York to pursue a career in acting. He auditioned for almost every casting agent in town, with no luck. He figured he would give writing a try and wrote a few screenplays while he waited for his acting career to take off.
He eventually got a break and landed a role in the movie, “The Lords of Flatbush”.
Despite this small break he wasn’t quite able to build a full on acting career just yet. He kept auditioning, receiving one rejection after the next. He continued to write screenplays.
A regular job was out of the question because Stallone knew his outcome, he wanted to be an actor and he was not going to comprise his dream. After he ran out of money, he had to resort to selling his wife’s jewelry to support his family.
One day, Stallone watched a fight between Weppner and Ali; Weppner was brutally getting beat up, but kept pushing himself and continued to fight. This underdog was fighting for victory even though his chances at winning were slim to none.Stallone was inspired by the fight and worked feverishly on a script for over 24 hours straight. He finally finished, and called titled the script, “Rocky”.
He pitched his screenplay to several producers and received many rejections. This went on for several months.
He was in such bad shape financially that by this time he had to do something that emotionally devastated him. He went to a nearby liquor store and sold his best friend, his dog. Someone bought the dog for around $50. Stallone said that this was one of the lowest points in his life.
He kept trying to sell the screenplay and he eventually started receiving some positive feedback. Some people wanted to buy the script for $100,000 but they would not agree to have Stallone play the part of Rocky. Remember, at this point, Stallone was dead broke, but he refused the offer, as he was hell-bent on becoming an actor, not just a writer.
A couple of weeks later these same people contacted Stallone with an offer of $250,000. Stallone still insisted that he play Rocky and they said no.
The offer kept rising, but without Stallone playing the lead role. The price eventually got to around $400,000 and still, Stallone declined. He was going to play the lead role, he would not compromise.
Eventually they offered Stallone $25,000, a percentage of royalties, and the lead role in the film. They figured that the movie wouldn’t make much and just in case it flopped, they wouldn’t have to take a huge loss. Stallone enthusiastically accepted.
So what did Stallone do after he received his check? Well, he went back to the liquor store where he sold his dog to buy him back. He waited for a few days for the guy to come by and finally there he was with his dog. He offered the guy $150 to buy back the dog, the man declined. The offer went to $1,000, then $5,000, then $10,000. It ended up costing him $15,000 and a part in the movie to buy back his dog. The guy and the dog are actually in the movie “Rocky.”
“Rocky” was a major success and won the Academy Award for best picture in 1976. At the awards ceremony Stallone read out loud many of the rejection slips he received, which basically related that the script was too “sappy,” predictable and a film that no one would want to watch.
Talk about a story of triumph…
True persistence pays off. Persistence will fight off failure faster than skill or luck ever can.
As a powerful Real Estate Agent, are you being as persistent as you can be? How are demonstrating your persistence? If you call FSBOS and Expired and they hang up on you, do continue your calls? If someone says they want to sleep on it or wait before they sign the contract, how do you react? How committed are you to your goals?
How would your life change if you were as committed and persistent as Stallone?
You know why we love stories like “ROCKY?” Because HE GOT BACK UP AFTER THE BEATING! The story sucks if you don't get up!
WE all have setbacks…the only difference between Stallone and a million “failures” is one thing…HE KEPT GETTING BACK UP…HE JUST DIDN'T QUIT! What a great story….NEVER, NEVER, NEVER QUIT!
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Neil Schwartz Reply:
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:11 PM
Thanks for that Kevin. Persistence is a trait that can take far and beyond almost anything else. Never take a no when “yes” is still possible.
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When we learn and grow from our failures they become tools in our journey to success!!!
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Neil Schwartz Reply:
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Our failures are able to teach us information that's above and beyond what we're use to.
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What an amazing story! Persistence is the key to success and it took me probably a year to realize. Thanks Neil, I've read all your articles and they're amazing!
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Neil Schwartz Reply:
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:13 PM
I'm glad to hear that Jarred. Well at least you were finally able to realize the importance of what it can do to your career.
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Neil, this story is awesome 😀 I love Rocky, it was such a great movie. I never knew this about Sylvester. I am really committed to my goals. I can't say that I'm like Sylvester, but I'm well on my way. I have a hard time with Expireds and what to say with the objections they give me over the phone. Any advice?
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Neil Schwartz Reply:
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:15 PM
That's great to hear Alison. Go ahead and give me a call Alison, and I'll happily help you out in that sector (909) 595-6697
Neil
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Reality or having your Goals and Dreams in mind and never giving up always moving towards what you want thats better for your self your family and your life. never take whats offered yet offer what you want them to take
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Neil Schwartz Reply:
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:14 PM
Right, if you want something, you need to simply just go out there and get it, no matter what. Sylvester Stallone was able to show that through his passion and persistence to make it happen.
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Thanks for that Kevin. Persistence is a trait that can take far and beyond almost anything else. Never take a no when “yes” is still possible.
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Our failures are able to teach us information that's above and beyond what we're use to.
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I'm glad to hear that Jarred. Well at least you were finally able to realize the importance of what it can do to your career.
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Right, if you want something, you need to simply just go out there and get it, no matter what. Sylvester Stallone was able to show that through his passion and persistence to make it happen.
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That's great to hear Alison. Go ahead and give me a call Alison, and I'll happily help you out in that sector (909) 595-6697
Neil
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@Marco I know what your mean. In todays economy its tough to find a company to work for that pays good enough to live on and is stable . I have found that if you just work hard and are consistent you can succeed. Look at the writer of this article, they are oviously hard working and have just been consistent over time and are now enjoying at least what would appear as somewhat of a success. I would encourage everyone to just keep hustling and moving forward.
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