Are there any stories of people notable/talented/successful in their field who started out being completely crap? [more inside]
posted by divabat on Oct 5, 2009 - 32 answers

Has anyone made a significant financial comeback after 40? [more inside]
posted by FazioGazebo on Jun 13, 2009 - 19 answers

"How can you say I am not a success? I have not been eaten and I have not failed to eat" (or words to that effect). Trying to find the source of this quote. I was thinking maybe Jonathan Swift, but my google-fu is failing me.
posted by telstar on Jun 1, 2009 - 5 answers

How do you bounce back after taking a high risk opportunity that flops? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 1, 2009 - 20 answers

How much would you give up starting your own business? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 26, 2009 - 7 answers

I'm looking for really terrible creative works made by well-regarded artists. For example, Picasso's secret crappy drawings, or John Coltrane playing out of tune. I welcome examples from all creative pursuits from all eras: literature, music, art, dance, theatre, film, architecture, graphic design, etc. [more inside]
posted by desjardins on Mar 4, 2008 - 41 answers

Who in history (or in your life) has flunked/failed in school or university, but has gone on to great success? [more inside]
posted by divabat on Nov 15, 2007 - 46 answers

Recently, quite out of the blue, I've become uncharacteristically obsessed with success. What's going on and how can I make it stop? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 29, 2007 - 10 answers

Overcoming fear of success. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 5, 2007 - 13 answers

What are some of the ways I can use to fight my enormous fear of failure? [more inside]
posted by hadjiboy on Mar 22, 2007 - 34 answers