Have you ever been told “you can’t do it”? Maybe someone said “you’re not good enough” and to find something else. How did it make you feel? It hurts doesn’t it? After all, who wants to fail because life is about being successful, right? Failure can be debilitating, it can lead to self-image issues, depression along with a host of other things. When you were told you couldn’t do something or that you were not good enough, what did you do? Did you believe them and move on?
Let me tell you the story of a young girl born in California to a humble and financially limited family. Her family loved classical music. As she grew up she realized her desire to play violin. The problem was her family couldn’t afford to pay for full lessons, instead asking for ½ lessons. This equates to 15/min a week of violin lesson. She heard “I’m sorry, but a child isn’t going to learn how to play . . . in 15 minutes a week.” Thankfully though, she finally found someone who would work with her. She was 5 years old at the time.
Fast forward many years, at 16, she joined a band with friends and starting writing songs to play on her violin. She won awards in Junior Miss and started to find success as a solo violist. As she continued to pursue her passion, she was invited on America’s Got Talent where she was told by Piers Morgan as “You’re not untalented, but you’re not good enough to get away with flying through the air and trying to play the violin at the same time.” Sharon Osbourne stated “You need to be in a group. ... What you're doing is not enough to fill a theater in Vegas.” Stirlings response? “I was devastated at the results ... It was painful, and a bit humiliating; however, I had to relearn where it was that I drew my strength." She was voted off America’s Got Talent (AGT).
Instead of backing down, giving up, and living in self-pity, she tried even harder. In 2012, she said “A lot of people have told me along the way that my style and the music I do ... is unmarketable. But the only reason I'm successful is because I have stayed true to myself.” After AGT, she shot a YouTube video which went viral. She began making more YouTube video’s. To date, she has over 5 million subscribers and has received over 750 million views. She has received Billboard awards as well as many other rewards. You see, she has received success from her failure. Had she not put herself in a vulnerable place to receive such criticism, she may not be where she is today. Failure leads to success, don't be afraid of it, Lindsey wasn't.
Four years later, Lindsey Stirling was asked to come back to AGT to perform. (Link) . This happened because she didn’t let the opinions of others get in the way of what she wanted to do. As Les Brown once said, “Others opinions of you are none of your business!”
Remember, the only person that can keep you from being ALL of what you WANT to be is YOU! If you want it, BAD ENOUGH, you will find a way! I have faith in you! Write your own story, it is waiting on you!
See Lindsey playing violin beside John Legend…