“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win” – Mahatma Ghandi (See source)
The above quote offers a recipe for success that is tried and tested. In this article, I use real life stories of great achievers to illustrate its validity. And in so doing I recommend you adopt it, as I have, to guide you in your quest for success.
1. First they ignore you
Anyone who knows how Facebook started will appreciate the above quote. This relationship (between the quote and Facebook’s coming into reckoning as an online “search” force) was stated on a website I recently visited. Sadly, despite my efforts I am unable to recall that website’s URL.
Mark Zuckerberg and his team were largely ignored by the established online companies they courted while starting up. One anecdote has it that they approached the owners of Yahoo!, and basically got told to “hurry along”, and not bother the big boys with their “school project”.
Well, Forrester Research recently reported that about one third of internet users in the US (where traditional search engines have always been favoured) indicate that they now prefer Facebook and Twitter for use in discovering new websites.
That number jumped from 18% less than 3 years ago. I got these stats from a newsletter broadcast sent out by Greg Pitstick just today. Greg wrote “Google still rules – but not for long”. I agree with him!
Those who threw the Facebook baby out with the bath water are now being forced to eat humble pie. Maybe they should have paid more attention to them when it was still a school project!
2. Then they laugh at you
Today in America, there is a Robert Goddard Space Center. It’s named after a man who pioneered research into rocket science and space technology at a time when people basically considered it a joke. (5 years ago I wrote an article on it, titled “Why You May Want To Rejoice When Others Mock You!”).
So far ahead of his time was Goddard, that even established organisations- like the New York Times – mocked him for his preoccupation with that (seemingly) unprofitable vocation. Their reporters tracked his every move, and gleefully reported every failure of the rocket launches he tried.
It got so bad, that at a point he resorted to continuing his work in secrecy. Signs that he was on to something later emerged, when German scientists who had periodically contacted him eventually developed V-2 rockets, which were used to cause considerable damage to London.
Ironically, 24 years AFTER his death, when the US’ Apollo 11 rocket (built based on Goddard’s work) took off for the moon, the New York Times published a retrospective editorial acknowledging his visionary contribution. They ended it by saying: “The Times regrets the error.”
3. Then they fight you
Ghandi’s life story offers an instructive example here. His challenge to the colonialists in his country was initially largely ignored. Until they discovered he had amassed a large following among the people, that was growing rapidly.
At a point, they could not longer ignore or regard him with amusement. He had become a significant threat to the unfair status quo they sought to preserve.
The government used all forms of violent tactics against them. Yet, in line with Ghandi’s instructions they refused to retaliate, and still refused to back down.
4. Then you win
Eventually, international pressure mounted, while the people stood firm. The colonial government had to give in. And Ghandi’s India got independence.
Ghandi led millions of Indians, to overwhelm a dictatorial colonial government, without violence. It was an unprecedented accomplishment.
Another example worthy of mention happened in South Africa.
The whole world is currently united in prayer for Nelson Mandela’s recovery from illness. He’s a living legend, revered worldwide.
Mandela paid a big price, spending 27 long years in prison for a vision he conceived and acted on, to free his people.
No doubt, some well meaning friends and relatives must have advised him against the futility of his actions back then.
The probably said: “Look it’s always been that way. Don’t try to change it, or you’ll regret it“.
And when Mandela and his supporters got beaten down, they may have been laughed for being so silly as to imagine they could have their way!.
When he eventually got locked up, the same people must have nodded knowingly wisely, saying “We warned him, but he was too pig headed to listen”.
And they would have had all of 27 years he spent in prison to walk around feeling “they were right”.
But Mandela would not give in or back down – even in jail. And eventually, the apartheid government had to bow.
The indomitable will of a man who courageously sacrificed himself for a cause he believed in, inspired millions to demand equal rights, justice and freedom. And they got it all!
Final Words
This 4-step process applies to any area of endeavour. Even sportsmen – like Roger Bannister –experienced it.
Bannister was so badly burned in a fire as a child that doctors told his mother he would die.
After he survived, they said he would never walk again. But he threw himself into daily therapy and recovered his ability to walk.
And then he went on to become the first human to run the 4 minute mile!
Anyone who wishes to achieve greatness in life must be prepared to pass through those four phases. Doing will make your success inevitable.