Saturday 27 February 2010

JK Rowling and the fringe benefits of failure

Harry Potter author JK Rowling spoke at Harvard University recently and offered some powerful, heartening advice to dreamers and over-achievers.

She also talks about one hard-won lesson that she deems was worth more than any qualification she ever earned.

Within five years, Rowling has made $980 million and sold 400 million copies of her books. Typical woman.


Hat Tip Mark @ KitchenSlut

2 comments:

Ross Parisi said...

Thank you Michael for readily making this eloquent and articulate speech available for us to hear and hopefully take note.

In my humble opinion, I believe that it should be mandatory viewing for all politicians, corporate and community leaders.

Most of those whom claim to be community leaders are engrossed in self importance, self adulation, self aggrandisement and forget that as a human being if for nothing else, we are here on this earth to help and foster our fellow human beings, those of which are in someway or another less fortunate than ourselves.

The virtues of altruism and benevolence, are almost non existent. Distorted priorities, monetary greed and selfishness take precedence over the common good.

Inherently, all decisions by their very nature, have the potential of flow on effects.

Representatives entrusted by the community to oversee the pubic good should be guardians of the values that differentiate us from other earthly species.

KitchenSlut said...

I often disagree Ross ... and agree sometimes too .... and will continue to do so but appreciate your support on this one! It transcends stupid boundaries?!

I think its exceptional which is why I chose to share it as widely as I could and continue to draw from its inspiration!