“Now, if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain’t you. You’re better than that!”–Sylvester Stallone, Rocky
Due to an injury at birth, Sylvester Stallone has had a droopy lip and slurred speech throughout his life. He spent time in foster care after his parent’s relationship ended in divorce. At fifteen, his classmates voted him “most likely to end up in the electric chair.”
After stumbling from one job to another for several years, Stallone stumbled upon acting. He was paid $200 for his first film role. He slept three weeks in the bus station prior to seeing a casting notice for the film. He slept there because he had been evicted from his apartment and was homeless. In the actor’s words, “it was either do that movie or rob someone, because I was at the end – the very end – of my rope.”
If you’re anything like me, you know what it’s like to be the underdog.
You know what it’s like to be the long shot.
You know deep down who you are and there is no question in your mind…that eventually you’re going to blow everyone’s mind.
If you’ve read my e-book, you know that I have a scrappy background.
It’s a great place to start, because necessity is indeed the mother of invention. Things don’t happen in a person’s life until and unless they are required.
You see, for all the talk about someone having more of an advantage over others, I believe that being an underdog can actually be more important to achieving success. Here’s why: for something significant to occur, there needs to be a sense of desperation, which I associate with lack, not abundance.
In other words, disadvantage can create disgust and disgust is a powerful motivator. Disgust creates the demand for something else, something different…something better.
I’ve found that the best part of being an underdog is the fact that the underdog will do whatever is necessary for success. This is indeed the underdog’s advantage.
Other people won’t do the work necessary for success because there’s no incentive for them to change.
The underdog understands and appreciates the value of hard work and the necessity to carry on, even when they want to stop.
Other people will wait for permission and passively accept their lot in life.
The underdog will be resourceful and win with guts and grit and resolve.
Other people will look for excuses.
Underdogs don’t believe in limitations or obstacles. If they did, they would have lost before they started.
So be glad that you’re an underdog.
You have what it takes to win.
The odds are in your favor.
You have the advantage.
Now, use that advantage and show everyone what you can do.
Go out and get what you are worth.