What are your personal experiences with being told "no" but not allowing that to get in your way?

Question

I recently tried out for my college's football team as a punter/kicker and was told "no, maybe next time, blah blah" you get the point. I haven't quit working out or practicing and have not allowed that "no" to bring me down. Recently, I was told about a speach I would have to say for my communication class on "This I Believe." I thought about it, and realised, "I believe that I will not internalize "no." " So I'm asking about other personal experiences anyone has had with being told no and pressing on still after the fact.

Answer 1

My girl friend of the time said "No" but I pressed on regardless. I'll get out of jail in 20 years.

Answer 2

I honestly don't have any stories that relate to this besides when it comes to wanting material possessions, and I am sure that would not be helpful.

Answer 3

My Dad was the perfect role model for never accepting NO as a final answer.  He was a very poor student and his counselors told my Grandmother that my Dad was not college material.  He enrolled in college anyway -- and flunked out after the first year.  My Grandparents told him NO when he wanted to continue college.  Dad went on to enlist in the military for 2 years, and returned to college with his GI bill.  He graduated college with his Bachelors Degree, then over the course of 15 years he got his Masters and PhD.

My Dad was career Army, but after the Viet Nam war and 17 1/2 years of dedicated service, he was RIF'ed.  He wrote his congressmen, the military, everyone he could think of and was told NO he could not re-join.  He was trying to re-join so he could get his 20 years and retire at his full rank of Major instead of just receiving a severance lump sum.  Well, my Dad did find a way back in, he joined the National Guard, and the Reserves, paid back the severance package and starting receiving his pension after serving the remaining 2 1/2 years.

Never ever take NO as the final answer.