Move out from the tragedy

Amidst the current economic times, there are many examples of success and tragedy. If you have recently lost your job or have had a hard time getting back on the job train, don’t let this get you down. As with any tragedy, eventually there becomes a positive effect. Whether this will happen today or in a few weeks, I hope you all stay strong and keep your thoughts positive. Please share your current successes in our comments below, and help encourage and motivate someone! If you are in need to a resume writer, check out Gayle Howard.

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs is known as the “Apple guy”. For many younger people growing up in today’s high-tech world, Apple is the company that makes the iPod, iPhone, and other leading handheld computer applications. Some graphics aficionados also use the Macintosh, the company’s graphics-driven computer interface.

Jobs initially co-founded Apple in the late 1970s and created one of the first successful commercial computers. Jobs is widely credited with conceiving the mouse-driven graphical user interface. He also expressed the belief that one day, computers would be common place in homes all over the United States, and the world. Unfortunately, Jobs was not able to fully commercialize his innovative ideas after being dismissed by the Apple Board in 1985 over a difference of opinions.

Human nature might suggest that Jobs would feel vengeful and angry and perhaps dwell on his misfortune. Instead, Jobs remained convicted about his ideas and started a new computer platform company, NeXT. Ironically, NeXT was bought by Apple Computers Inc. in 1997. Jobs was reinstated as Chairman and CEO. He has persevered and helped drive the company to new heights as a major player in technology and entertainment. Jobs helped hone his entertainment prowess after becoming CEO of the 1986 Lucasfilm spin-off, Pixar Animation. Walt Disney acquired Pixar and 2006 and Jobs is the largest individual stockholder in Disney, and a member of its Board.

Steve Jobs has proven that innovative ideas and a forward-looking mind will always have a place in the forefront of companies looking to stay ahead of the competition. In industries like technology, entertainment, and business, ideas and concepts and successful commercialization of them, are what creates success. Jobs stayed the course with his ideas even when others could not picture the opportunities. He demonstrates that the best form of revenge in business is to prove your worth and to work through obstacles.

Will Smith

Will Smith has diligently built a long and successful career in multiple entertainment arenas, beginning with his early success in the late 1980s as a young rap star known as the “Fresh Prince”. The nickname is said to have generated from Smith’s high school nickname “Prince”, which his peers gave him based on his charming and sly demeanor. Smith and best friend Jeff Townes formed a rap duo that became known as DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince.

As the theme song to Smith’s TV breakthrough suggests, Smith was born in West Philadelphia. His mother was a school administrator and his father a refrigeration engineer. They separated when he was 13. The popular television show “The Fresh Prince” portrayed Smith as a high-schooler dropped off at his aunt and uncle’s ritzy Bel Air home when his mother couldn’t take care of him.

Smith had bigger goals. The Fresh Prince had come at a good time for Smith, in 1990. After some trouble with back taxes with the IRS, the NBC show was a success and helped him get back on his fight. However, his next ambitious goal, as he states, was to become “the biggest movie star in the world”. Smith’s movie career jump started in the 1995 hit Bad Boys, a cop show in which Smith starred with Martin Lawrence. The film marked his third successful entertainment profession (music, TV, film).

Smith overcame the mistakes of his youth through ambition, specific goals, and intelligence (he was admitted into pre-engineering at MIT, though never attended college). If not the “biggest” movie star, Smith is certainly near the top. Remarkably, he managed to make the transition from his persona as the sly, hip-hopper known as the Fresh Prince, to a serious actor. His roles include many powerful films, such as: Independence Day (1996), Men in Black I & II, Bad Boys II, I Robot, and more recently, The Pursuit of Happyness and Seven Pounds.

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise is one of the most well-known American actors and film producers. The 3-time Academy Award nominee and 3-time Golden Globe winner made his feature film debut in the 1983 movie Risky Business. Another popular movie from 1986, Top Gun, helped make Cruise a household name in the acting business. Cruise has since gone on to play some great roles and has starred in such prominent films as the Mission Impossible (MI) series, Jerry McGuire, The Color of Money, Cocktail, A Few Good Men, Rain Man, Days of Thunder, The Firm, Interview with the Vampire and more.

Cruise is not only a celebrated actor but he is also a well-established film producer and is recognized by leading Hollywood types as one of the most powerful names in the movie-making business. His name alone can help make a movie money. In 2006, Forbes ranked Cruise as the most powerful celebrity.

Life did not always come so easy to Cruise. He moved 15 times in 12 years as a kid. His parents divorced after years of discontent. Cruise maintains that he suffered from child abuse as a child and merciless ridicule from his father. Still, he learned the value of work ethic as he worked a newspaper delivery route to help is mom put food on the table. Acting became a part of his life when an injury left him unable to play sports in high school, so he turned to school plays.

Cruise’s relentless dedication to his craft as an actor helped net him several $20 million-plus acting gigs. His prowess as a producer and his determination to help make great pictures shows his business savvy and understanding of his industry. The drive to always learn more and to continue to grow is what has made Cruise a big target, not only as an actor, but by other big name actors who want to be a part of Tom Cruise film productions.