Among the many qualities it takes to be a truly successful leader is perseverance. To have the strength and foresight to see the light at the end of the tunnel and continue to dedicate yourself to achieving your goals. Our nation's 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, embodied all that is means to be a great leader. However, his road to success was filled with multiple failures and set backs. Here is a map depicting Lincoln's tumultuous journey to the White House.
1816 His family was forced out of their home, he was then forced to work to support them
1818 His mother died
1831 Failed in business
1832 Ran for state legislature and lost
1832 Also lost his job. Lincoln wanted to attend Law School but was not accepted into the program
1833 Borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business and by the end of the year he was bankrupt. He spent the next 17 years of
his life paying it off.
1834 Ran for state legislature again and won
1835 He was engaged to be married but his fiance was stricken with illness and passed away
1836 Lincoln had a nervous breakdown and was bedridden for six months
1838 He sought to become the speaker of the state legislature but was defeated
1840 He then sought to become an elector but was also defeated
1843 Lincoln tried his hand at running for Congress but was again defeated
1846 Again, he attempted to run for Congress and won. He had a successful stint in Washington
1848 Ran for re-election but lost
1849 He attempted to obtain a position as a land officer in his home state but was rejected
1854 He ran for Senate and lost
1856 His attempt for a Vice-Presidential nomination ended in embarassement with not only a loss but had less than 100 votes
1858 Ran for Senate again and lost again
1860 Elected President of the United States
Fame is a vapor
Popularity an accident
And riches take wing
The only thing that endures
Is your CHARACTER
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