I struggled for a while, but when I was cast in an Off Broadway show called 'Once Upon a Mattress,' that kind of put me on the map.
Interpretation
Struggles can lead to significant breakthroughs in one's career.
This quote by Carol Burnett reflects the journey of overcoming challenges and how pivotal moments, such as landing a role in a play, can tremendously influence one's career trajectory. It emphasizes that initial hardships may precede success, highlighting the importance of persistence and the eventual pay-off that can come from hard work and perseverance.
In practice
In a speech about resilience, I could use this quote to illustrate how perseverance is crucial for achieving one's dreams.
My grandmother and I followed my mother here, to a house a block north of Hollywood Boulevard but a million miles away from Hollywood, if you know what I mean. We would hang out behind the ropes and look at the movie stars arriving at the premieres.
You have to have faith that there is a reason you go through certain things. I can't say I'm glad to go through pain, but in a way one must, in order to gain courage and really feel joy.
It's also selfish because it makes you feel good when you help others. I've been helped by acts of kindness from strangers. That's why we're here, after all, to help others.
I've always been optimistic. And I have a feeling that it happened because of going to all those movies with my grandmother in the '40s because there was no cynicism.
Edgy is fine - I'm not a prude by any stretch of the imagination - but what's wrong with a good ol' belly laugh? I miss that.
My favourite comedian, of course, is Tim Conway. He has a way about him - being that belly-laugh kind of funny, and he has the improvisational skills, too. I've never seen anybody better.
I feel basically good about my career because it's remained constant. What I do has never been especially in vogue or gotten high on the charts. At the same time, I haven't had to stop performing any of my music because it aged in style.
I think many start-ups make mistakes because they are focusing on things that are farther ahead, and they haven't done the work that has built the foundation to support it.
A man to carry on a successful business must have imagination. He must see things as in a vision, a dream of the whole thing.
The great ones have the ability to focus and tune everything else out and see more than the others. Average quarterbacks have tunnel vision. They see what's in front of them. The better you get, the more that tunnel expands, and the more guys on the field you see.
Brilliance is one part talent, two parts wisdom and three parts passion.
I have walked into the palaces of kings and queens and into the houses of presidents. And much more.
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