Persistence and Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln has inspired me in a lot of ways so I wanted to share a brief summary of his career: 

1816 His family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support them. 

1818 His mother died. 

1831 Failed in business. 

1832 Ran for state legislature – lost. 

1832 Also lost his job – wanted to go to law school but couldn’t get in. 

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 off this debt. 

1834 Ran for state legislature again – won. 

1835 Was engaged to be married, sweetheart died and his heart was broken. 

1836 Had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months. 

1838 Sought to become speaker of the state legislature – defeated. 

1840 Sought to become elector – defeated. 

1843 Ran for Congress – lost. 

1846 Ran for Congress again – this time he won – went to Washington and did a good job. 

1848 Ran for re-election to Congress – lost. 

1849 Sought the job of land officer in his home state – rejected. 

1854 Ran for Senate of the United States – lost. 

1856 Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party’s national convention – get less than 100 votes. 

1858 Ran for U.S. Senate again – again he lost. 

1860 Elected president of the United States.