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35 People Share How They Succeeded In Spiting Someone Who Didn’t Believe In Them
Interview With Author
Being told that we aren’t able to accomplish something can light a fire in our bellies and push us towards success. The desire to prove someone wrong while continuing to aim for your dreams is something that a lot of people can relate to. It’s a very human (and Panda!) thing.
LA-based TV and comic book writer Amanda Deibert started up an interesting thread on Twitter that quickly went viral. She asked people to open up about the times that someone told them that they couldn’t do something and they succeeded out of pure spite. And open up they did.
Scroll down for the most interesting success stories and for Bored Panda's interview with the author of the thread, Amanda.
Oh, and it’s important to remember that spite isn’t the only driving force for success—that’s exactly what Amanda stressed in a follow-up tweet. When you’re done reading this list, we’d love to hear about your greatest success, dear Pandas, whether out of spite or inner drive.
More info: Twitter | AmandaDeibert.com
This post may include affiliate links.
Amanda stressed to us that spite usually isn't the only thing behind your marathon towards success. "Well, spite can only get you so far, there has to be an actual desire to do something for yourself or for someone you care about (which hopefully also includes yourself)," she told us.
"I know I am personally motivated to do things that will in some way help or support my loved ones, especially my little girl," the writer pointed out that love can be a very powerful motivating force.
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Bored Panda was interested to get Amanda's take on whether people should have very realistic, grounded goals or if they should shoot for the stars. She told us that she believes a layered approach is best.
"Shoot for the stars, but in a way that keeps your needs met in the meantime. It's okay to make sacrifices and take risks, but calculated risks are the most likely to pay off," she said. In her view, preparation and planning are vital components of success.
"Make sure you have prepared yourself for your journey into the stars. Astronauts spend years training and preparing for their mission. So you need to train and prepare and keep a roof over your head and nutritious food on your plate and care for your body so that when it comes time to make the leap it is worth it."
The journey to success is a very individual thing. According to Amanda, it's best to focus on an approach that motivates you best as a person. She also believes that habits are the way to reach your goals. "It's the Malcolm Gladwell 10,000 hours thing. You are much more likely to reach your goals eventually if you are constantly working toward them and building your skills and life in a way that supports you reaching your goals."
This isn’t the first time that Bored Panda has featured Amanda’s tweets. We’ve previously covered her viral posts about useful life advice, as well as an incredibly creepy house listing full of mannequins.
#8
María Hermida 3 years ago
Unlike other situations in this thread, I don't think the doctor said that in bad faith. The brain is incredibly complex, and doctors don't want to be too optimistic. Fortunately, there are many cases where "miracles" seem to happen. I'm so happy she recovered!
During a previous interview, Amanda told Bored Panda that Twitter users can give some great advice, and they’re full of wisdom.
According to Amanda, it’s always easier to give advice than to listen to it because it’s far easier to see someone else’s situation clearly than it is to see our own.
"When it is our own life, we also have to deal with our own emotions and attachments and habits. I can easily see something with detachment when it isn't my own issue. I think it is actually incredibly difficult to detach and really look at your own life," she told us.
"I think change is difficult and scary and most good advice revolves around change,” she said that even not making a decision is actually a decision. One that’s very easy to make. “Good things are difficult and take work, but sitting back and allowing life to just happen is a choice."
The fact is that success is possible for anyone and at any age. There’s a misconception going around that success is supposedly only the domain of the young and beautiful. And that’s just plain wrong. With the right drive, an active body and mind, we can reach our goals whatever the challenges.
#13
Ellie Vanille 3 years ago
"You write so well for a deaf person"... ?! SMH. How can you even say something like that ? It's like saying "You sing so well for someone wearing a red sweater !"
Writer and award-winning editor Doug Murano from South Dakota previously spoke to Bored Panda about his extremely viral and inspirational thread about over-40’s success stories.
"I was raised to value grit over grace. That might be a South Dakota thing. The women in my life—particularly my mother and maternal grandmother—have set wonderful examples for me in terms of reinvention and perseverance,” Doug told us all about the people in his life who have helped shape his values.
“My grandmother attended university classes and became a certified Master Gardener in her 80s after my grandfather died. At 97, she still tends her own garden. My mother worked some extremely difficult jobs (including one in a meat processing plant) to help fund her doctorate. I had seen (yet another) 'under 40' list the day I wrote the tweet and immediately thought of them,” Doug said.
#16
Kaz 3 years ago
Well done you. But 80 hours a week? Nobody should have to work that much to live.
GPZ 3 years ago
Yeah. Tell me you work in the US without saying you work in the US
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Iifa A. 3 years ago
Well done! But 80 hours a week if it's by choice and passion for work. You're doing amazing job! (I had one of those jobs, loved it, pay is good, hours are tough but it's the atmosphere and in my case the feeling of accomplishment at the end of day.) But if it's an 80+ hours a week just to support yourself. Then please consider upgrading your position. Nobody should work 80+ hours at work. When do you eat your favourite meals, spend time with family, love life, hobbies, take care of your Health and Head. One thing you cannot buy back is your health, there's no amount of money that can buy time with closed ones, and when you pass nobody will clap for you job well done. I hope you worked hard 19/20yrs old, and now have time to empower and support other people to be as successful as you despite circumstances.
Kelzbelz79 3 years ago
Well done you, wondering though if your mum was aware of what he was saying and if so why she allowed it.
Daniel Ikelman 3 years ago
Supporting herself? Wouldn't it be myself? Bot written stories are so inspiring
"Conventional standards of beauty are king in the media. Young people typically fit that mold more readily than the middle-aged or elderly and attract eyeballs more readily. I think that's probably why I gravitated toward the image of hands that had seen life and work. Again, I think of my grandmother's hands, which are like driftwood now. To me, that's more beautiful than anything," Doug explained that the media often chooses to focus on the success stories that are most presentable.
#20
3 years ago
Congratulations on that huge success! A baby AND top of class! You are my fricking roll model <3
"Modern American life tells us we need to spend 40 years breaking ourselves in the pursuit of certain markers of success and then tells us we're irrelevant after we've done exactly that," Doug mused.
"It doesn't make any sense to me and it runs counter to what healthy cultures do, which is to revere and celebrate their elders.”
Meanwhile, Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, told Bored Panda how to maintain a sharp mind as we age. It’s an important factor when we consider our goals and ambitions in life.
"Our own studies have shown important connections between positive mental wellbeing and keeping active, and having better thinking skills in later life. This is good news because our sense of mental wellbeing is something we can take steps to improve," she went into detail.
"In the same way that avoiding things like smoking, excess alcohol or a poor diet can help to reduce the risk of developing some forms of dementia and cognitive decline, so can looking after our emotional wellbeing by managing stress, establishing meaningful connections with people, doing new activities or getting a good night’s sleep,” Caroline said.
#28
#29
Robin Roper 3 years ago
So glad the OP achieved his goal, but seriously, there is nothing wrong with a trade as a profession. In fact, the mechanic may earn as much as the doctor.
#30
"Staying active isn't just about working up a sweat or running marathons, it can also be moving more each day at our own pace and in whatever way works. Being even modestly active helps give your wellbeing a boost and maintains bone strength, muscle strength, and coordination.”
#34
Pheebs 3 years ago
Contrary: I had a bf who told me I was only passing my CompSci classes because of him (because he quizzed me before a test?). Fast forward a semester, I had a Linux prof who knew my (ex at that point) bf, who told me not to listen as I was doing great. He also went on to tell me that the guy didn’t know half of what claimed, and was so miserable in class to another female that she was failing the until the prof moved her to another desk. She basically went from an F to an A in a week. Now I’m a senior programmer, and my ex can suck it. I really like that prof. He, and all the other profs in the CompSci program were awesome teachers who did not discriminate based on gender. Especially when it more rare for females to be in the classes. (Seriously, I was the only one in some.)
#35
Laura Mende (Human) 3 years ago
When my mother was pregnant with me, she and my dad went to a doctor to examine the womb water (this was to find out if the baby has Down-Syndrom, especially when the mother is older. Mine was 39yrs old) when the doctor came with a big syringe to poke through the skin in the womb, mom opt out. She said she hadn't to know if I was disabled, she would love her kid nontheless. The doc got angry and told her she should abort me, there are somehow enough idiots on this planet and there is no need for more. DOC WAS SUCH A NAZI!!! I was born "normal" and some 2-3yrs later it came out that this doctor had aborted children way too late, and had raped his patiens. What an a*****e...
#37
#41
Yettichild 3 years ago (edited)
It's strange how brains work sometimes. Give me a practical word problem and I can solve it. Give me the same problem as an equation and I will mystify people on how I even came up with that wrong of an answer.
#44
Brenda 3 years ago
My mom didn't finish HS. At 29, w/ 3 kids (12. 9, & 6), working full time, she not only graduated HS, she finished a 2yr degree, associate of science, in 3 semesters. So even if you had gotten married & had kids, why would he think you'd quit? Mom said we were her inspiration to succeed.
#46
Rick Seiden 3 years ago
I watch the NHL, and I've seen so many women get involved in broadcasting lately. I think people realize that women who can play the came can call the game. (I remember one Rangers' game where the woman calling the game from between the benches was the granddaughter (or great-granddaughter) of one of the player's who's number was hanging from the rafters. She was calling a game involving the same team that her grandfather played for. And she was wearing his hall of fame ring. I thought that was just so great!)
#48
Bored Turtle Princess 3 years ago
Who the hell says that while trying to seduce someone‽‽ Some people are just....
#50
ChimeraBubbles 3 years ago
Ableism. I was told I could "only be a receptionist" because I have spina bifida. I hated school so did badly in it, yet I am by no means unintelligent. Literally fighting for your life medically, going through domestic abuse, and having the 'professional' people around you have low expectations of you is soul destroying. I'm doing much better as an adult. I have a uni education and my own business now. I've used those formative experiences to become a counsellor to help others. Don't let any person tell you you can't do something.
#51
#52
#56
Spikey boi 3 years ago (edited)
Why would someone say that to a high schooler? Especially the assistant headmaster?
#57
Kim Kermes 3 years ago
A very large football player named Rosie Grier did needlepoint. I think he'd like to see someone object to you embroidering.
#58
#60
Cold Contagious 3 years ago
So many of these stories are only affirming the fact that we should follow our dreams regardless of the advice of our parents, teachers, colleagues, counselors, etc. Keep moving forward.
#61
Cold Contagious 3 years ago
Sounds very interesting. Have heard that the heart synchronizes to the music that you're listening to. So, it makes sense that it could be used as a tool for medical purposes.
#62
Cold Contagious 3 years ago
I hope he was proud and congratulatory. She deserved a pat on the back for a job well done.
#67
Kelley Baltierra 3 years ago (edited)
Honestly though, it is rare for that to happen to anyone, that's why I think it's good advice. I'm sure that wasn't meant spitefully.
#76
Cold Contagious 3 years ago
It's fabulous to achieve and do what you love for a living, and if you're also helping others, it's icing on the cake.
#77
Cold Contagious 3 years ago
It's fantastic when people show "them" that their pregnancy is not a school ending, career ending, disease or disability that some people treat it to be.
#82
#85
Jo Johannsen 3 years ago
I'm sure privacy is why no details, which I respect, but my curiosity is going bananas.
#90
Kim Kermes 3 years ago
It takes a great doctor to get someone to want to live. Or a mediocre one...
#91
#93
#98
#99
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What do you think ?
similarly 3 years ago
As an educator, it makes me furious to see teachers, professors and educational advisors telling students these kinds of things. Half the job of getting something done is believing that you can. Just remembering a student's name and showing confidence in them can have SUCH a big impact on their whole life. Taking time to walk them through the tough bits early on, believing in them. It's so important. These people stomping down the students with their arrogant little "You're not good enough" remarks ought to be fired.
Karen Lyon 3 years ago
I've been an educator for 34 years, similarly, I'm right there with you!!
Load More Replies...
Chinmayee Kalghatgi 3 years ago
Depression told me that I was a loner and loser who would be dead by June. Now it’s been exactly one year and I am alive and have a huge social circle with good and trustworthy people
Lilla Ontherun 3 years ago
The sad thing about these stories that is there are more stories, who could not make it, so many more people who got stomped, and become what the envious people expected from them.
Tiny Dancer 3 years ago
Our doctor was worried my 3-year-old son wasn't hitting any of his verbal goals (no talking at all, not even "Mama" or "Dada"). He had just been diagnosed as having autistic tendencies a few months before. After checking his hearing (no prob there), we were sent to the hospital for a day of testing. Hours later and the doc pulled me aside to tell me he'd never talk, never make eye contact, never show affection, in fact it would be best if "someone more qualified" were to raise him. You mean an institution, doc? He hummed and hawed, they're not what you think, much better these days, but yeah, that's what he meant. I thanked him for his time, told him I had much more faith in my son than he did, and marched out the door. My son will be 35 this year. Won an award for Most Improved Student at school, a bowling champ, loves video games, Star Wars, Disney, drawing, makes jokes all the time, and has generally made everyone in his life into better humans for just knowing him. Take that, doc!
oktopus 3 years ago
One thing I realised from raising my son is that while neither I or my wife are qualified child experts, we are the world's leading experts on that particular child, and though he quite often doesn't fit into whatever charts the actual child experts are using, it doesn't really matter if he's not doing X by the age of Y, as long as he is making progress. Which he does, just at his own pace. And once he starts doing something, it's fine.
Load More Replies...
Katie Lutesinger 3 years ago
Not my story but I love it: a young aspiring musician was told by his horrible stepmother that he'd end up a school janitor "playing for the rats in the basement!". He wrote a "screw you" song about her called "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong" and it was a massive hit. It even includes the line "I hope you heard this song and it pissed you off". That's what you get for being a jerk to an artist, fool.
KombatBunni 3 years ago
My daughter’s dad (thankfully he’s an ex) once told me I’d never do better than a job at McDonald’s..guess who now has a job paying more than his does and their own side business? Yeah this gal, and I take every opportunity to rub his dumbass face in it
Bex 3 years ago
I was over 350 lbs in my early 30's and went to get weight loss surgery. I didn't want any cutting to my stomach or intestines so I chose the lap-band. My surgeon told me I should have the bypass, as I was too fat for the lap-band and I'd never lose more than 20-25 lbs. I looked him dead in the eye and guaranteed I'd lose at least 100. Lost 115. Made sure to remind him what he said when I hit that # on the scale, lol
Vishy 3 years ago
I got married and after a week got a strange call saying that my wife had Schizophrenia and it would be better to file for a divorce. Took her to the best doctors to get her treated. Now she's the best wife I could have. It set me back really bad but it was worth every penny.
Carol Emory 3 years ago
When my mother met my future husband, she told me and my sister that she gave it a year before we split up. Not only am I still married to that wonderful man, my marriage outlasted hers.
Natalie Kirman 3 years ago
The headteacher of my primary school judged me for being adopted, kept calling me "a problem child", told my adoptive parents they would be disappointed in me and I would never do anything, I'm now a qualified Podiatrist.
Emmett O'Brian 3 years ago
Schools are weird. In the early grades, spelling is nearly everything. I am bad at spelling. Very bad. I have two disabilities. I also had bad eyesight which no one believed me. I wear glasses now. I was told for years that I'm lazy. In high school a student asked if he could cheat off my test. I had no idea why he would want to do that. "Because you're smart." Was his baffling reply. I never even noticed that I ran circles around most kids in science and history. I've written ten books in my free time, been married for nearly thirty years, own my house and have two great kids. I'm not friggin lazy.
DramaDoc 3 years ago
My 7th grade English teacher told my parents she didn't understand my interest in theatre, that I was too "flighty" do the necessary work, and that my design work was confusing and rudimentary (I was *12*). I now have 3 MAs and a PhD (and am contemplating an MFA in scenic design) all theatre-related and am extremely happy with my career. Nearly every week the thought "F*ck you Mrs Fl**n" wafts through my head...
Seedy Vine 3 years ago (edited)
An editor I worked for once told me I "couldn't pull off" a certain type of writing style. I've written two books since then. I think he smoked himself into an early grave, wihout writing any books himself.
Tamra Stiffler 3 years ago
I was told by several different doctors and specialists that I'd never be able to have a child. Had three miscarriages, several surgeries, procedures, biopsies, injections, etc. We were given no hope, and the evidence presented to us confirmed it. My son will be eighteen in a few months. He was worth the wait. I love that kid so much.
similarly 3 years ago
As an educator, it makes me furious to see teachers, professors and educational advisors telling students these kinds of things. Half the job of getting something done is believing that you can. Just remembering a student's name and showing confidence in them can have SUCH a big impact on their whole life. Taking time to walk them through the tough bits early on, believing in them. It's so important. These people stomping down the students with their arrogant little "You're not good enough" remarks ought to be fired.
Karen Lyon 3 years ago
I've been an educator for 34 years, similarly, I'm right there with you!!
Load More Replies... Chinmayee Kalghatgi 3 years ago
Depression told me that I was a loner and loser who would be dead by June. Now it’s been exactly one year and I am alive and have a huge social circle with good and trustworthy people
Lilla Ontherun 3 years ago
The sad thing about these stories that is there are more stories, who could not make it, so many more people who got stomped, and become what the envious people expected from them.
Tiny Dancer 3 years ago
Our doctor was worried my 3-year-old son wasn't hitting any of his verbal goals (no talking at all, not even "Mama" or "Dada"). He had just been diagnosed as having autistic tendencies a few months before. After checking his hearing (no prob there), we were sent to the hospital for a day of testing. Hours later and the doc pulled me aside to tell me he'd never talk, never make eye contact, never show affection, in fact it would be best if "someone more qualified" were to raise him. You mean an institution, doc? He hummed and hawed, they're not what you think, much better these days, but yeah, that's what he meant. I thanked him for his time, told him I had much more faith in my son than he did, and marched out the door. My son will be 35 this year. Won an award for Most Improved Student at school, a bowling champ, loves video games, Star Wars, Disney, drawing, makes jokes all the time, and has generally made everyone in his life into better humans for just knowing him. Take that, doc!
oktopus 3 years ago
One thing I realised from raising my son is that while neither I or my wife are qualified child experts, we are the world's leading experts on that particular child, and though he quite often doesn't fit into whatever charts the actual child experts are using, it doesn't really matter if he's not doing X by the age of Y, as long as he is making progress. Which he does, just at his own pace. And once he starts doing something, it's fine.
Load More Replies... Katie Lutesinger 3 years ago
Not my story but I love it: a young aspiring musician was told by his horrible stepmother that he'd end up a school janitor "playing for the rats in the basement!". He wrote a "screw you" song about her called "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong" and it was a massive hit. It even includes the line "I hope you heard this song and it pissed you off". That's what you get for being a jerk to an artist, fool.
KombatBunni 3 years ago
My daughter’s dad (thankfully he’s an ex) once told me I’d never do better than a job at McDonald’s..guess who now has a job paying more than his does and their own side business? Yeah this gal, and I take every opportunity to rub his dumbass face in it
Bex 3 years ago
I was over 350 lbs in my early 30's and went to get weight loss surgery. I didn't want any cutting to my stomach or intestines so I chose the lap-band. My surgeon told me I should have the bypass, as I was too fat for the lap-band and I'd never lose more than 20-25 lbs. I looked him dead in the eye and guaranteed I'd lose at least 100. Lost 115. Made sure to remind him what he said when I hit that # on the scale, lol
Vishy 3 years ago
I got married and after a week got a strange call saying that my wife had Schizophrenia and it would be better to file for a divorce. Took her to the best doctors to get her treated. Now she's the best wife I could have. It set me back really bad but it was worth every penny.
Carol Emory 3 years ago
When my mother met my future husband, she told me and my sister that she gave it a year before we split up. Not only am I still married to that wonderful man, my marriage outlasted hers.
Natalie Kirman 3 years ago
The headteacher of my primary school judged me for being adopted, kept calling me "a problem child", told my adoptive parents they would be disappointed in me and I would never do anything, I'm now a qualified Podiatrist.
Emmett O'Brian 3 years ago
Schools are weird. In the early grades, spelling is nearly everything. I am bad at spelling. Very bad. I have two disabilities. I also had bad eyesight which no one believed me. I wear glasses now. I was told for years that I'm lazy. In high school a student asked if he could cheat off my test. I had no idea why he would want to do that. "Because you're smart." Was his baffling reply. I never even noticed that I ran circles around most kids in science and history. I've written ten books in my free time, been married for nearly thirty years, own my house and have two great kids. I'm not friggin lazy.
DramaDoc 3 years ago
My 7th grade English teacher told my parents she didn't understand my interest in theatre, that I was too "flighty" do the necessary work, and that my design work was confusing and rudimentary (I was *12*). I now have 3 MAs and a PhD (and am contemplating an MFA in scenic design) all theatre-related and am extremely happy with my career. Nearly every week the thought "F*ck you Mrs Fl**n" wafts through my head...
Seedy Vine 3 years ago (edited)
An editor I worked for once told me I "couldn't pull off" a certain type of writing style. I've written two books since then. I think he smoked himself into an early grave, wihout writing any books himself.
Tamra Stiffler 3 years ago
I was told by several different doctors and specialists that I'd never be able to have a child. Had three miscarriages, several surgeries, procedures, biopsies, injections, etc. We were given no hope, and the evidence presented to us confirmed it. My son will be eighteen in a few months. He was worth the wait. I love that kid so much.
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