From Rejection to Magic: Her Rise from Obscurity to Literary Stardom

From Rejection to Magic: Her Rise from Obscurity to Literary Stardom

JK, the Underdog

The series of books about magic and fantasy have quite an underdog story of determination and triumph behind it. Before the success of "Harry Potter," J.K. Rowling faced numerous hardships. She was 25 when her chronically ill mother passed away. To start fresh, she moved away to Portugal, got married, and had a daughter named Jessica, which was a blessing after an initial miscarriage. After getting a divorce after just 13 months of marriage, she was in a tough position as a single mother, living on state benefits in Edinburgh, Scotland, struggling to make ends meet. She fell into a deep depression and even considered suicide. Rowland continued to write some of her early drafts of the first "Harry Potter" book in local cafés, often with her infant daughter by her side.

After completing the manuscript, she faced rejection from multiple publishers. She got 12 rejections… however, Rowling's persistence paid off when Bloomsbury Publishing accepted the book, although they advised her to get a day job, as they were unsure it would make much money.

The "Harry Potter" series, of course, became a phenomenal success, transforming Rowling's life and making her one of the world's best-selling and wealthiest authors. Her journey from a struggling single mother to a literary sensation has become a symbol of resilience and a source of inspiration for aspiring writers around the world.

The Value of Stubborn Persistence

Understanding the importance of our work is crucial as we start the journey that may have many obstacles, including people who may not understand what we are working towards.

There are so many rejections that we start to doubt ourselves...

We don't feel productive because we measure our days in new offers or opportunities.

We ask ourselves if is this worth it and think about easier pathways to survive and thrive.

I've experienced every example above and maybe it's the discomfort and doubt we all hear about. But when it happens to us it feels heavier. It feels more serious...

Maybe we are measuring the number of rejections but not the amount we are learning, not the small adjustments as we approach new partners, maybe we are learning how resilient we can be, or maybe we are learning that nothing great... is easy.

We have heard these things before but bringing some awareness to this when it's happening to us can be a first step to being stubbornly persistent.

Some of the greatest leaders spend their mornings on themselves to build a solid foundation and confidence to start their day:

1. Wake Up Early: An early start allows for uninterrupted time to focus and plan.

2. Exercise: Physical activity boosts energy levels and mood. (it can be 15-30 minutes.)

3. Practice Mindfulness: A few minutes of calm reflection can center the mind. ("What am I grateful for" can be a start of reflection.)

4. Review To-Do Lists: Understanding daily objectives keeps focus sharp.

5. Avoid Technology Distractions: Keeping email and social media at bay helps maintain concentration on the day's priorities.

6. Read or Listen to Inspiring Content: Engaging with motivational material can create a positive mindset.

If you don't do any of these today or just do a few, try to add one for tomorrow and keep it short and intentional. Our healthy habits form over time but ensuring we are taking small steps will help us on the pathway to success.

For more ways to invest in ourselves and work on our mindset to keep moving forward, check out my book Physician Underdog.