Be Inspired

Here's a story that will probably inspire many of us. Its' probably one of the best examples of how 'doing whatever it takes will get you what u want'.

At his peak, Sylvester Stallone (hollywood actor) was one of the most popular and highly paid stars in hollywood, commanding a fee of US$20 million per movie. Was he borned under a lucky star? Was he a naturally gifted and talented actor? Was he at the right place at the right time?

Hardly.

He was someone who seemed to have all the odds stacked up against him.

His family was so poor that his mother gave birth to him on the doorsteps of a school. A blotched delivery by students caused a facial nerve to be severed, leaving him paralyzed on the right side of his face.

As a result, Stallone had to live the rest of his life with slurred speech. He even had to deal with having a drooping lower lip and being made fun of because of his name 'Sylvester' (associated with the looney tunes cat). Despite all these limitations, young Stallone dreamed of becoming an actor and inspiring millions of people through his movies.

First, he enrolled in acting schools and then started going for auditions. Predictably, with his wooden acting, his dopey looks and slurred speech, Stallone was rejected for every part he applied for. But he never gave up. Doggedly, he just kept changing his strategy and taking action.

The way he landed his first part is a fine example of how he was willing to do whatever it takes.

When he was rejected after yet another audition one day, he pulled up a chair in front of the manager's office and sat down, refusing to leave unless they gave him a chance. After sitting there for hours, the directors were so moved by how much he wanted a chance that they relented and eventually gave him a part.

Although he appeared just for a couple of minutes(as an extra), it gave im that first breakthrough he was after.

Unfortunately, that experience was followed by yet another string of unsuccessful attempts at getting another acting job. At that point, his wife told him to give up his 'stupid dream' and get a real job'. His reply was, "If i get another job, I would lose the only thing I have got going for me....my hunger". "By quitting my quest and getting a job, I would be selling out on my dream."

"Stallone was once so broke and desperate to survive that he was forced to sell his dog for $50. It was his saddest moment in his life because his dog was the one friend that he had left with"

At the lowest point of his life, he watched a boxing match between then world heavyweight champion Muhammed Ali and Chuck Wepner, an underdog that everyone thought would be defeated within 3 rounds.

What no one else expected was Wepners's determination and tenacity. He lasted a total of 15 rounds with Ali, refusing to go down.

Slyvester was so inspired by what he saw that he had visions in his head about a movie that he was going to write. He started writing profuesly for 84 hours non-stop until he finished the manuscript for 'Rocky' the movie.

He was so excited by the script because in his mind he knew this was going to be the movie that would change his life and fortune.

But when he went around attempting to sell his script, everyone felt that it was too predictable and that nobody would be interested in watching a movie about boxing. But he didn't give up. He kept on going and going until one company made him an offer of US$75,000 for the script and the rights to make the movie.

This should have made Slyvester overjoyed but his dream was to be an actor, not a writer. So he told them that the condition of the sale was that he were to be cast as the main actor. They objected instantly, saying, "You're a writer, not an actor and there's no way we will let u act!".

But Slyvester stood his ground and refused to sell the script if he wasn't the lead actor. They then increased their offer to US$250,000 up to US1 million, but Slyvester kept insisting that he fitted the role of 'Rocky' and no one else. Although he was broke and hungry, he refused to sell out his dream for a 6-figure pay check. That was his level of commitment!

Eventually, they reluctantly agreed, on the condition that the movie be made on a shoe string budget of less than a million dollars and Stallone would get only US$35,000 for the writing and acting. Slyvester would however, get a percentage of the profits if the movie made money. He agreed immediately.

The first thing Slyvester did when he got the money was to go in search of the man who bought his dog to buy he back. When he finally tracked down the man, he offered to buy his dog back for US$100. The man declined his offer, saying that he was not interested. Slyvester upped his offer to US$500. Still, the man refused. He again upped his offer, this time to US$1000. The man still would not budge saying, "No amount of money will ever convince me to sell this dog".

While most of us would give up at this point, Slyvester knew that if he was committed to do whatever it takes, he would find a way. Eventually he did get his dog back. He paid the man a whopping US$15,000 and also gave him a part in the movie as part of the deal.

When 'Rocky' was launched at the box office, it grossed over US$171 million and was nominated for ten academy awards (including best actor), eventually winning an Oscar for Best Picture & Best Director. Slyvester instantly shot to fame as an action star and lucrative offers came in thick and fast for future blockbusters, which were to eventuate in First Blood, Rambo & other Rocky sequels.

His eventual success came from the fact that to him, becoming an actor was truly a MUST. Be believed that when u're committed enough, there's always a way.