I strongly believe that the difference between a great person and an average person is how they react to setbacks.
To me personally, I’ve had my fair (or should I say unfair) share of bad luck in my life. Really big setbacks that someone of my age shouldn’t of had to deal with.
But I got through them by thinking to myself, that right, if it was somebody else in my shoes, they would probably give up. The fact that I am still standing strong and I will get through it, makes me better than these ‘people’. To me, it gives me a great sense of power and pride, knowing that I have just overcome something that most others couldn’t.
However, a while ago, I came across this article, outlining some setbacks overcame by Abraham Lincoln on his way to becoming president. It is truly inspiring.
1816 His family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support them.
1818 His mother died.
1831 Failed in business.
1832 Ran for state legislature – lost.
l832 Also lost his job – wanted to go to law school but couldn’t get in.
1833 Borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business and by the end of the year he was bankrupt. He spent the next 17 years of his life paying off this debt.
1834 Ran for state legislature again – won.
1835 Was engaged to be married, sweetheart died and his heart was broken.
1836 Had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months.
1838 Sought to become speaker of the state legislature – defeated.
1840 Sought to become elector – defeated.
1843 Ran for Congress – lost.
1846 Ran for Congress again – this time he won – went to Washington and did a good job.
1848 Ran for re-election to Congress – lost.
1849 Sought the job of land officer in his home state – rejected.
1854 Ran for Senate of the United States – lost.
1856 Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party’s national convention – get less than 100 votes.
1858 Ran for U.S. Senate again – again he lost.
1860 Elected president of the United States.
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[...] of you who follow this blog would know that I have just recently made a post about Abraham Lincoln and his setbacks. I am so impressed and inspired by this great man, that I will make another post, showcasing of his [...]
Nice post Will. Short and Sweet.
This is very inspirational looking at his setbacks how he persists. Lincoln is an incredible man. I agree. He is also very adept at dealing with people.
Abraham Lincoln is a very very inspiring man
. Great post, William 
.
Thanks Shirley for the Comment, yes he is indeed very inspiring! Kinda puts our own little setbacks into perspective!
He also lost 2 of his boys at the ages of 3 & 11 during his lifetime. I can tell you from personal experience that losing a child is HUGE!
Hey Pat,
Thanks for your feedback, I am really sorry that you had personal experience of this! That’s really terrible. How are you doing now? Nice to meet you!
Will
nice and inspiring story.no man would withstand such a long period of defeat!!! this is surely boosting me up to fight my own setbacks
Stories like this should serve as inspiration to all of those that fail and need motivation to get back at it again. There arent too many people that succeed the first time they try and do something. It takes perseverance and determination to make it in life. If you fall, get back up and try again. Learn something from yuour failures but don’t let them defeat you…
That was an amazing article. I’m always looking for something positive. It’s important to me as an aspiring musician living with negative people. I liked when you said “If someone else were in this situation, they’d probably give up”. I will remember that when something comes up. Thank you!