Ever see the 2006 Will Smith movie, “The Pursuit of Happyness” about the rage to riches story of real-life Christopher Paul Gardner? You know you’ve made it when Will Smith is portraying you in a biographical movie. Maybe one day someone will write a movie about your life.

Will & Jaden Smith in "The Pursuit of Happyness"

In and out of foster care as a child, this entrepreneur, whose net worth was estimated at $65 million in 2006, got hit by life. in the early 1980s, his wife divorced him and he was homeless on the streets of San Francisco trying to take care of his young son. As a traveling medical equipment salesman, Gardner was determined to make it as a stockbroker. He took a non-paid position as a trainee at Dean Witter Reynolds.

Will Smith & Chris Gardner

With little money, Gardner and his son slept in parks and public restrooms after Gardner worked as many hours as he could to become the top banker at his firm.

It all paid off: in 1987, Gardner started his own brokerage firm in Chicago.

Gardner worked hard for everything he got. What tenacity!

“Hard work always pays off; mere talk puts no bread on the table.” Proverbs 14:23 MSG

When you have a dream, you cannot let circumstances dictate your destiny. Work hard and work smart. Put in your time and you will see a reward. Whether you have a dream of being an actor, screenwriter, singer, teacher, entrepreneur or even a stockbroker, don’t give up just because life knocks you down. Stand strong and press on.