Take the Game Winning Shot (Part 2)
After writing the script for Rocky 1, Sylvester Stallone wanted to play the lead role in the movie. He was repeatedly turned down. Finally one producer was willing to buy the script, but only if they could hire another actor to play the part of Rocky Balboa. They did not want Stallone for the part and thought he would be a failure. Stallone refused even though he was practically broke and at times did not have enough to eat and pay his bills. The company kept raising the price and offered him $300,000 for the script if they could hire a known actor to play Rocky. Again Stallone said no, he had to be Rocky. Finally they reduced their offer to $30,000 for the script and to allow Stallone to play the lead role.
They thought the movie was likely to fail with Stallone in the role.
Stallone accepted the $30,000 offer because this was his dream and the outcome he was pursuing. He fulfilled his desired outcome and the rest is history. Rocky 1 earned $200 million dollars and Stallone went on to make six Rocky movies and millions of dollars while living out his dream. Sylvester Stallone refused to give up on his goal. Like Rocky, he kept getting back up every time he was knocked down.
Be willing to go the extra mile for what you want. Don’t give up easily without a fight. You will miss some shots, but like Jordon and Stallone you will also achieve some of your biggest dreams.
Copyright 2009. Raymond Gerson
All the best,
Raymond Gerson
