Cinderella Man

I have always felt that all I ever needed was to be inspired everyday.  The rest I believed would take care of itself. The key is how do we stay inspired day in and day out? Especially in a business where we face  atychiphobia (the scientific name for fear of failure). Certainly we can seek out motivational speakers and read PMA books and these are truly great tools too take advantage of.

I have found that I can also receive great inspiration from stories about ordinary individuals that have nothing to do with sales or insurance, men and women who overcome great obstacles to achieve lofty dreams.

I recently watched the movie Cinderella Man, the true story of James J. Braddock who in the 1930′s was an impoverished ex-prizefighter. At a time when millions of Americans were suffering through the bitter hardships of the Great Depression, Jim Braddock was physically and financially broken. Unable to fight or find work, he was forced to go on government relief and was barely able to provide the basic necessities for his family. He was at one point forced to send his children to relatives because he could not afford to keep the electricity on during the bitter cold winters of New Jersey.

Through a twist of fate and what would turn out to be the luckiest break in his life, James Braddock was give a chance to fight one last fight with an up-and-coming heavyweight contender who’s opponent injured himself and was unable to fight. The fight was expected to be a “no contest” with and aging and injured Braddock not lasting a round. Braddock had other ideas, knocking out “Corn Griffin” in the third round!

Inspired by the opportunity to provide for his family and going against all odds he would win fights against the next three heavyweight contenders eventually leading to a title fight with undefeated Max Bare, a fighter who had killed one opponent in the ring. A 10 to 1 underdog in the fight, arthritic, and with injured ribs James J. Braddock would prevail in the greatest upset in boxing history defeating Bare in a 15 round unanimous decision. Braddock would pay back with interest all of the money he had received from federal relief program, adding to his folklore.

There are so many inspirational scenes in the movie that can force a tear from my eyes but the most meaningful was a scene were Braddock and his wife Mae were being interviewed prior to the Bare fight. A sports writer asks the question:

“Jimmy you couldn’t win a fight for anything five years ago. How do you explain this incredible comeback?”

Braddock answered “Now I know what I’m fighting for this time.”

The sportswriter asks ” What you’re fighting for, what are you fighting for?”

Braddock answers “The milk money.”

You see Braddock’s sole motivation was the thought of needing to feed his family. Hardship, poverty, and want are the best incentives, and the best foundation for the success of man.

Know what we are fighting for and we can overcome anything.

What are you fighting for???

Good selling,

Bob