Work

People might not get all they work for in this world, but they must certainly work for all they get.

(Frederick Douglass, Former Slave, Author and American Abolitionist)

Things are not given to people on a silver platter who want to become successful. There are many things that have to actively be accomplished before success is ultimately achieved.

Try Again

Do the one thing you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time. The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire. This is your moment. Own it.

(Oprah Winfrey, talk show host and businesswoman)

There is no such thing as failure if you continue to be persistant. A never say never attitude can work wonders in everything.

Ability

I never doubted my ability, but when you hear all your life you're inferior, it makes you wonder if the other guys have something you've never seen before. If they do, I'm still looking for it.

(Hank Aaron, Hall of Fame baseball player and businessman)

Always keep a positive attitude because positive thoughts are one hundred times more powerful then negative ones. Positive thoughts and actions will always lead to success.

Make Good

After all these years of struggle, it's coming into the wholeness of life, the wholeness of yourself again. And you realize that you had nothing to learn -- that you had it all from the very beginning. Once you make good in one thing, all else will follow.

(Mine Okubo, Japanese American artist)

The only way to make good in life is through action and doing what so many others just think about. Action is what separates those who impact society and those who watch and wait.

Action

The chief condition on which, life, health and vigor depend on, is action. It is by action that an organism develops its faculties, increases its energy, and attains the fulfillment of its destiny.

(Colin Powell, retired military officer and politician)

Action or application is what drives companies forward. Action applies to all aspects of life.

Sales and Marketing

It's very important to develop sales and marketing skills when becoming an entrepreneur. There are stories of many successful entrepreneurs who because they were skilled in sales or of marketing themselves became highly successful in their endeavors. Without these needed skills a want-to-be entrepreneur will be mediocre at best.

Give Thanks

During this time of year it would do well to remember and give thanks. We need to give thanks for the obstacles God has placed in our way because they are lessons to be learned and tests to be passed that help build our characters. We need to give thanks for all of the successes and triumphs that God has blessed us to enjoy. Most of all we have to give thanks for God who has given us his only son, Jesus Christ.

A Hit

Hitting is an art, but not an exact science.

(Rod Carew, Hall of Fame Baseball player from Panama)

An entrepreneur can miss time and time again but with persistence will eventually get a hit. Baseball and business are alike in that hard work will eventually lead to the major leagues.

Already Know It

You already have every characteristic necessary for success if you recognize, claim, develop and use them . Zig Ziglar

Most people feel they never have to use application after they learn something. They keep on learning and reading until they are completely confused. Take what you know today and move forward.

Model For Others

Each person must live their life as a model for others.

(Rosa Parks, activist for the civil rights movement)

Everyone winds up being a model for others, be it positive or negative. However, it's those individuals who provide a positive impact to those surrounding them that others should model themselves after.

Difference Between

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will. Vince Lombardi

Success knows no boundaries nor does it discriminate. It is up to each and every person to dig deep with in ourselves and think outside the box. Learn the lessons from our mistakes and never quit.

An Honor

It was an honor and privilege to arrive to this country 16 years ago with almost no money in my pocket. A lot has happened since then.
(Antonio Banderas, actor)

This same spirit and faith that Mr. Banderas displayed that made him into a movie star is displayed by entrepreneurs throughout American history. You can be successful despite your financial situation.

Laugh

Everybody really needs to laugh…If you don’t laugh; you’re not going to live long.
(Paul Rodriguez, Comedian)

Its okay to let your hair down every once in a while and laugh at yourself because of some of the actions that were taken by you in adverse situations. Remember that laughter really is food for the soul.

Your Vision

Our land is everything to us…I will tell you one of the things we remember on our land. We remember that our grandfathers paid for it – with their lives.

(John Wooden Legs, Cheyenne Native American)

In life if you strongly believe in your vision, then you should be willing to struggle for it and fight to see it become reality no matter what happens to be in your path.

Happiness

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. Albert Schweitzer

A good way to measure success is not through simply looking at a bank account statement. It is when you can reflect on the day with your inner self smiling and a feeling of accomplishment overcomes you, this is success! There will always be challenging times but that is how we grow and achieve success.

'do, re, mi'

We all do ‘do, re, mi,’ but you have to find the other notes yourself.

(Louis Armstrong, Hall of Fame Jazz Musician)

Another analogy that relates to this is you cannot learn how to ride a bike by allowing someone else to ride your bicycle. You have to ride your bicycle yourself in order to acquire that experience. This also applies to corporate ownership and the experiences you acquire when you are dealing in the business environment.

Three L's

Happy Birthday to me!

Live, love, laugh and the rest will be done.

Better Place

Make your life count -- and the world will be a better place because you tried.

(Ellison Onizuka, Astronaut, Message to Konawaena High School, 1980)

By enduring, being persistent and continuing to try, you have done more than the majority of mankind.

A Difference

Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't, then you are wasting your time on Earth.

(Roberto Clemente, Hall of Fame Baseball player who died heroically on an aircraft providing humanitarian relief to the earthquake victims in Nicaragua, Central America)

By stepping out and stimulating the marketplace as a company owner, you provide the employees within your organization the means to support their families. This in itself makes a positive impact in the world today.

Endurance

Without the strength to endure the crisis, one will not see the opportunity within. It is within the process of endurance that opportunity reveals itself. (Chin-Ning Chu, Chinese Business consultant and Author)

Sacrificing and endurance will always be the intrinsic ingredients to success.

No Risk!

Why do people think of "risk" when it comes to investing. "Risk" for them is simply fear. Remove the fear from the investment and you eliminate the so called "risk" involved. What you are left with is your money working for you.

Lee Russell

The Right Signal

This signal can be operated for directing the flow of traffic.

(Garrett Morgan talking about his invention the automated traffic light)

By waiting for the right signal and investment vehicle one can direct his/her destiny and money towards positive goals.

Working Hard

There is no royal flower-strewn path to success. And if there is, I have not found it, for if I have accomplished anything in life it is because I have been willing to work hard. (Madam C.J. Walker)


By working hard and combining it with sacrifice within the first several years of a start-up company you will definitely reap the benefits in the subsequent years to come.

Inspire

"Leadership is influence."
John C. Maxwell

Lead your team by example and inspire them to reach their full potential both professionally and personally.

Going Forward

Be courageous. I have seen many depressions in business. Always America has emerged from these stronger and more prosperous. Be brave as your fathers before you. Have faith! Go forward!
(Thomas A. Edison)


By going forward on faith in oneself and in those surrounding the entrepreneur, one can overcome whatever obstacle presents itself. The person then becomes stronger in character and more resilient as time go's by.

Core Value

Integrity is the most valuable and respected quality of leadership. Always keep your word.

Jim Rohn

Integrity is one of the core values in the U.S.A.F. and my key value when doing business with somebody. One of my favorite definitions of integrity is doing what is right even when nobody is looking.

Fighting For Your Dreams

Fighting for your dreams is one of the most important things you will ever do on the face of this earth. If you are not willing to fight then expect to live knowing that you affected the world.

Without Wisdom

It is possible to fly without motors, but not without knowledge and skill. (Wilbur Wright)

Without wisdom which is garnered through application one will not have the skill to successfully run a company. There is no such thing as a once in a while entreprenuer.

What Do I Know?

When we are kids we know everything. As we go through life we start to realize that we don't know as much as we thought. It is only when we reach maturity that we accept the fact that we don't know and will always need to learn to grow.

"One of the greatest things I learned in college is the undeniable fact of how much I don't know."

Lee Russell

General Rule

A man, as a general rule, owes very little to what he is born with - a man is what he makes of himself. (Alexander Graham Bell)

A person can either create a positive influence that will be of genuine assistance to everyone around him/her or create chaos which is of no use to anybody. Everyone has the same options in life.

Playing and Working

If you aren't playing well, the game isn't as much fun. When that happens I tell myself just to go out and play as I did when I was a kid. (Thomas J. Watson)


This applies to working as well. When working together it’s not good to have the attitude of “It’s my ball I’m just taking it and going home” rather it’s good to share in everything because everyone will get wealthy together when greed does not get in the way.

Impression

Remind people that profit is the difference between revenue and expense. This makes you look smart. (Scott Adams)


Always create a positive, knowledgeable impression because no one wants to be associated with someone who does not know what he is doing.

Something To Think About

" The first step to leadership is servanthood."
John Maxwell

Business owners must understand the role they play as leaders. If you are in business to serve the people your business will grow and you will succeed. Many businesses that start out today have the main objective to make money. This might be the reason why 90% of all businesses fail within the first five years.