Virtues

Our virtues and our failings are inseparable, like force and matter. When they separate, man is no more.

(Nikola Tesla, Inventor)

The same way that human beings are comprised of virtues and failings, success is comprised of obstacles and sacrifice. Success is never given to people, it is earned through the sweat on ones brow and the time invested in one's dream to ultimately achieve what is envisioned.

Accident

I never did anything by accident, nor did any of my inventions come by accident; they came by work.

(Thomas A. Edison, Inventor and Founder of General Electric)

Nothing ever comes by chance. Those who ultimately become successful are the ones who work for it. People don't ever stumble upon success they strive towards it. This is a simple formula that many people have not solved which is "No work, No success" however, only a very small percentage of society have ever learned how to master this equation.

Shoot

If you shoot for the stars and hit the moon, it's OK. But you've got to shoot for something. A lot of people don't even shoot.

(Confucius, Chinese Philosopher)

To shoot or to step out and try is extremely rewarding because you begin to gather a set of experiences that other people are too scared to even act out on. I say shoot for the stars for when that is attempted a whole new exciting environment of experiences are opened up to those who try.

Life

Life at best is bittersweet.

(Jack Kirby, Comic Book Creator and Artist)

Life can be bittersweet. Life can be exciting. Life can be boring. Life can be scary and dangerous but it all depends on what you decide you want your life to be, everyone has the same decisions to face in their lives and only the very select few make a difference in this world.

Different

When you play against different people from all walks of life you can't do the same thing against every player defensively or offensively. You have to change up the way you go at a player.

(Oscar Robertson, Hall of Fame Basketball Player)

People are different and everyone does not see things the same way. Great leaders are those who can persuade a large group of people from various backgrounds to share in a common goal. It is the differences in people that provide the ingredients or X factor in a successful team.

Natural

It was a natural process, because when we go to the ring we are human beings, but once you feel the punches and the competition that's when the beast comes out and takes hold of us.

(Alexis Arguello, Retired Hall of Fame Boxer)

The worst situation to be in is to be backed into a corner. When this happens your natural tendency is to lash out. If at all possible during these situations make sure that you are not alone and that those who are with you are truly loyal. By surrounding yourself with truly loyal partners you never have to worry about hard or adverse times because you'll be reassured that you won't be facing them alone.

Perceptions

They made me use an accent, which I wasn't thrilled about because a lot of us, obviously, don't have them.

(Rita Moreno, Hispanic Actress)

Perceptions can be misleading, which is another way of saying "don't judge a book by its cover" when making judgements by one's perceptions the whole story is not being accounted for. The best decisions are made dispassionately after acquiring all of the facts in combination with the perceptions.

Endurance

The men who learn endurance, are they who call the whole world, brother.
(Charles Dickens)

Enduring and overcoming hard times is what makes a person a better human being.

Anything

I made a commitment to completely cut out drinking and anything that might hamper me from getting my mind and body together. And the floodgates of goodness have opened upon me - spiritually and financially.

(Denzel Washington, Academy Award Winning Actor)

In order to accomplish something in life anything that can become a distraction must be discontinued. There can be no crutches kept that can hinder you towards your accomplishments. Keeping bad habits will stop a person from being totally focused on the objective.

Enthusiasm

Success is going from failure to failure without a loss of enthusiasm.

(Winston Churchill, Former British Prime Minister during WWII)

It's this enthusiasm that separates success from failure. By staying enthusiastic problems are not as earth shattering and and productivity continues. Standing still does not solve problems however action does. Those who never stop pressing forward are the ones who continue to make a difference in society.

Predestination

I knew at an early age I wanted to act. Acting was always easy for me. I don't believe in predestination, but I do believe that once you get where ever it is you are going, that is where you were going to be.

(Morgan Freeman, Actor)

There is no such thing as predestination in life. There are choices an individual must make during his or her lifetime. One choice is whether to act or not to do anything. The decision to act is what separates those who impact society, either positively or negatively, to those who are just coming along for the ride.

American

I am an American citizen and feel I am entitled to the same rights as any other citizen.

(Nat King Cole, Singer, Entertainer and the first African American to have his own television show)


People take for granted what it means to be an American. We as Americans have so much more freedom than citizens of other countries. We should be thankful for being able to speak our minds without the fear of reprisals that people encounter in other countries.

Criticism

In order to excel, you must be completely dedicated to your chosen sport. You must also be prepared to work hard and be willing to accept constructive criticism. Without one-hundred percent dedication, you won't be able to do this.

(Willie Mays, Hall of Fame Baseball Player)

When you are dedicated to a project decisions will be made that won't be popular. Consequently, criticism will be directed towards you. However, by remaining dedicated everything will fall in place and the outcome will be positive.

Free

Yes, you must have the courage of being free.

(Jose Carreras, Leukemia survivor, Operatic singer and one of The Three Tenors)


Being free is not easy, if it was than everyone would be working for themselves and be entrepreneurs. However, through perseverance your freedom will reap untold dividends in your life. There are only one percent of the total population that are actually free. Can you become a part of that one percent?

Overcome

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.

(Nelson Mandela, Anti-Apartheid Activist, Former President of South Africa and Nobel Peace Prize Winner)

One of the first things an individual has to do when he/she leaves the job to become an entrepreneur is to overcome and manage fear. The second thing that has to be done is to manage and control ones emotions. Remember, everyone's not the same and will react differently during adverse situations.

Prejudice

The show doesn't drive home a lesson, but it can open up people's minds enough for them to see how stupid every kind of prejudice can be.

(Redd Fox, Comedian, Actor)

Prejudice has no place in business. As I have mentioned before you cannot discount anyone that you encounter in life. Because you will never know who you meet that will be the X factor to your next success.

Succeed

I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.

(Michael Jordan, Retired basketball player, voted one of the hundred best basketball players of all time)

Success is never achieved without overcoming obstacles along the way. This is a fundamental truth that God himself has created for those who want to achieve success.

Ability

I want to be remembered as a ballplayer who gave all I had to give.

(Roberto Clemente, Humanitarian and first Hispanic Hall of Fame Baseball player)

Doing things to the best of your ability will always bring positive outcomes. Individuals have to combine their actions with patience to be able to enjoy and experience the fruits of their labors.

Development

Ever since I was a child I have had this instinctive urge for expansion and growth. To me, the function and duty of a quality human being is the sincere and honest development of one's potential.

(Bruce Lee, martial arts expert and actor)

The only way to develop potential is by application. You cannot develop wisdom by just thinking about it, it's the act of doing that makes all of the difference in the world. Your character cannot ever become fully developed without the action of application.

Improve

Don't you think it astonishing that, at 58, I am still working at improving my career?

(Placido Domingo, operatic singer, tenor)

There is always room to improve and learning is a continual process. Those who claim they don't need to learn anymore or say they know everything are people who more than likely are afraid to learn something new.

Easy

Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. (John F. Kennedy, President)

When you take the easy path you don't fully reap the benefits of sacrifice, diligence and fortitude. Character enhancement is one of the major benefits of being an entrepreneur in the corporate landscape.