Category: Blog

As a businessman, there are many things that keep me going the same way that there are many things that make me stop for a while.

It gets quite overwhelming sometimes and I become so tired and so stressed, that I just want to sell everything and relocate, except that I don’t really have a back up plan and I might starve myself to death.
So instead of booking the next flight to Amsterdam, I divert my attention in looking into the lives of my idols – people who strives hard in order to succeed. I hope they inspire you, too. Here are 7 life lessons I learned from well renowned entrepreneurs.

Your Life is your Responsibility – a lesson from Les Brown

Les Brown is a motivational speaker in Ohio who was born very poor. Because of this poor financial condition, he was given for adoption by his single mother, Mamie Brown.

Despite this, he strived to create a career for himself and decided to join the radio as an on-air-talent. He eventually got into radio and television as well. So to cut the long story short, he was a great example of a rags-to-riches story.

The Lesson I Learned:

 
He is famous for using the catch phrase “It’s possible” during his sessions and teaches audiences that all their dreams can come true. Les Brown says “Accept responsibility for your life.

Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go, no one else”. I used to live a hand to mouth existence when I was in college because I had nothing.

All I had was a part time job and a very small room I rented. Sometimes I would blame my family for not lending me a hand. But I needed to accept the fact that only I am responsible for my future. And if I die poor, it would be my fault.
Just believe you can do it on your own! This is what I usually say to myself every time I have tons of excuses regarding what I need to do and accomplish. I tell myself that if I don’t do it, no one else will. This should be the same words you should all have in mind whenever people are trying to bring you down – only you have control over your life.

Trials in life are actually opportunities – a lesson from Pat Flynn

 
Pat Flynn is a father of 2 who makes a living online. Okay fine, so what’s so special about that you may ask?

Well, here’s the thing. He was one of those people who lost their job because of the bad economy that the world is experiencing.

He had a 9 to 5 job he enjoyed but still, he had to accept that fact that he had to go. I follow Pat to this day he is truly a good guy with a real message, Thanks for the inspiration Pat!

The Lesson I Learned:

 
This happens to a lot of us. I, myself, was laid off during the recession because they downsized the department I used to work in at Horizon Blue Cross & Blue Shield of NJ.

We are used to our routine – may this be our job or our business. But sometimes, when we reach a dead end because of some factor we cannot control, like the economy, we already feel like it’s the end of everything.

We must always remember that when one door closes another one opens. We are surrounded by a lot of opportunities and we should just try out those other opportunities and move away from our comfort zone. There is definitely something better in store for us. I told myself that there are greener pastures if only I had the strength to look for them.

 
Don’t do it for the money – a lesson from Gary Vaynerchuk

 
Gary Vaynerchuk is a popular social marketing expert. He has many books about this and is also an expert on wine criticism.

He has many investments that have helped many people around the world to enter and succeed in the world of e-commerce. One of my favorite things about Gary is he is raw uncut and unfiltered with his content. Gary is also the author of one of my favorite books, Crush it.

Gary said something in one of his videos that stuck with me and impacted me big time. He simply said, “WORK YOUR FACE OFF!” Thanks Gary!!

The Lesson I Learned:

 
When I entered my first business venture, I was so a caught up around the goal that I wanted money. I was only focusing on my cash. Though this may be true, sustainability will be very difficult. You need to love what you do, first and foremost, for you to succeed.

You need to dedicate your time every single day to developing a better approach for the benefit of your customers. When your work comes from the heart, everything else will follow and that includes money!

Never give up – a lesson from Tim Ferriss

Tim Ferris is an entrepreneur and public speaker as well. He is the famous publisher of the 4 hour workweek which became a #1 New York Times bestseller.

The 4 hour workweek began with Tim Ferris’ want to escape a workaholic lifestyle.

It was a very successful book indeed but what people didn’t know is that it was rejected by 25 publishers.

The Lesson I Learned:

When I was new to the world of entrepreneurship, all my friends had doubts about the venture I wanted to enter.

They would often say encouraging phrases such as “it wouldn’t work” or “it’s a waste of investment”. Well, I realized I was surrounded by the wrong set of people.

I cannot please everyone and I just had to look for those I could please. Whatever people threw at me, I always used it as constructive criticism just like how Tim Ferriss dealt with 25 publishers who turned down his book.

Always put high value on yourself – a lesson from Daymond John

Daymond John is a famous American Entrepreneur and television personality. He is also an established author and motivational speaker and is featured on the famous show Shark Tank.

One of the reasons why he is my idol is because he received marketing and entrepreneurial awards and started from the bottom with nothing.

He created Fubu clothing which changed his life and gave people like me jobs.

The Lesson I Learned:

He said that poor people put a low value on themselves and their efforts. If you want to be rich and if you want to succeed, you need put high value on yourself. When you do, that is when you start to have greater efforts and that is when you get better results.

When I started, I felt very inferior compared to other people who were way ahead of my game. And that was very wrong. I started to believe that I, too, was capable of running their race!

I want to be selfless with my assistance in helping others and motivate people by knowing I am no better than anyone. I am just a result of my investment in self.

Achievement comes from great sacrifice and not selfishness – a lesson from Napoleon Hill

 
Napoleon Hill published one of the earliest and most original self-help books called Think and Grow Rich.

Because of this, he became one of the most influential people in the 1930’s.

“Most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure.” Napoleon Hill

 

The Lesson I Learned:

He said that great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness. I came across a time when all I wanted was to save. And that was wrong because when you start a business, you have to give it your all – this includes money, time and efforts. And so I did.
Often times, in our want to succeed, we become selfish and think that if we are greedy, we gain more. The truth is, it is actually the other way around. In order to succeed, we must sacrifice more and give it our all.

If you want to go somewhere, it is best to find someone who has already been there – a lesson from Robert Kiyosaki

 
Robert Kiyasoki is the famous author of the Rich Dad Poor Dad series among other motivational books.

Yes, he is very popular and I so admire him! He has made a lot of good points in his book that I live by today.

“We go to school to learn to work hard for money. I write books and create products that teach people how to have money work hard for them.” Robert Kiyasoki

 
You could use this advice, too just like I did:

We all want to achieve something and go somewhere. It is best we take it from who have been there before, they know better from experience.

It is true that learning from other’s mistakes is better than learning from your own. Almost all of my marketing schemes that I apply in my business, I learned from people who have been there. It is just unpractical to do trial and error when people have done it for you in the past already. Why waste your time, right?

 
I chose these 7 people for a reason – they have been through a lot and they sure as hell know what they are talking about when it comes to business. I consider them blessings and this is my way of sharing my blessings to all of you.