Gurbaksh Chahal

There’s no such thing as an overnight success. You don’t just wake up one day, decide to do something extraordinary and the very next day you’re on top of the world with everyone singing your praises.

Becoming successful is not a fluke. It’s not as simple as buying a ticket and winning the lottery. Success comes from slogging away day after day. It comes from continuously putting into practice everything that you’ve learned. It comes from learning and improving—every day. It comes from having a real purpose in life.

When others have gone to bed, successful people are often still at work. When others are still sleeping you get a head start on the day. When others are playing golf you’re doing research.

When others are wishing that their dreams will come true, you’re making your dreams happen.

Success is a daily habit because it’s the things you do each and every day that lead to lifelong success. It’s a discipline. It’s a calling. It’s who you are. It’s in every fiber of your being. Day in and day out. You can’t be a part-timer and expect to be a winner. You have to be prepared to give much more than 100 percent.

Ask yourself at the end of every day: What have I accomplished today that takes me closer to achieving my dreams? What did I do that generated energy and excitement? What did I do that will motivate others to join me on my journey? What did I do that will improve the lives of others? What did I do that will bring the blessings of the universe into my life and the lives of those I love?

Success comes when you consistently continue to do the things that you know get the results you want and when you set new horizons for yourself. As they say: You’ll be successful when you want to succeed as badly as you want to breathe. Do you want success that much? Do you want success with every pore of your body?

Success comes when you set daily goals for yourself and achieve them, even when major fires blaze up and get in the way and have to be extinguished.

The most important thing every day is doing whatever needs to be done to keep you on the path to victory; to attain the ultimate prize.

Surround yourself and spend time every day with other people who want success; avoid those who are negative and may want to drag you down.

No doubt you’re familiar with the saying about not needing to work hard but work smart? In my book you need to do both. Every day. Someone once said that 80 percent of success is showing up. And, to a large extent, that’s also true. But you not only have to show up every day, you have to perform. And you have to out-perform your competitors.

No-one achieves greatness without a lot of sacrifice and a lot of hard work. Sometimes that means doing things that aren’t much fun. It means taking risks and overcoming obstacles. That’s the price that has to be paid. It also means having the character and the confidence to prove that you’re in the right. And at the end of each day my philosophy is that you need to be able to look in the mirror and know that you have conducted yourself in an honorable and ethical manner. You have to be authentic. You have to be consistent, day after day.

Having said all of that—remember that happiness is the key to genuine success. Reach into your inner core as you start each day and remind yourself of the journey you have undertaken. Just imagine how you will feel when you make success and happiness a daily habit!

You have one life to live. Live it with purpose. And, both success and happiness will find you.

You’ve heard the saying, “The sky’s the limit.” It’s meant to indicate that you can achieve anything; that humans can reach beyond the bounds of planet Earth and enjoy limitless success.

I think it’s an antiquated term. I prefer to believe that the sky is definitely NOT the limit. Why be limited by anything?

Strictly speaking, the sky is the space over the Earth where the sun, moon, stars, and clouds appear. But there’s an entire unexplored cosmic universe out there that is beckoning us—a limitless universe that sets new sights and new standards for goal-setting.

Why shoot for the sky when you can shoot for the outer reaches of the vast celestial cosmos? Be fearless! Dream big! BeLimitless! Man’s potential goes way beyond the sky.

You can achieve whatever you want to achieve. With the right character, with determined confidence, and with innovative ideas that count you can rise from nothing to the highest levels of society. If you can think it, you can do it. It’s up to you.

How does that last statement make you feel? For many, turning thoughts into deeds, and taking the germ of an idea and creating a business employing hundreds or thousands of people, are immensely challenging hurdles. The first time around it’s taking a step into the unknown. And it can be scary. But once you get beyond the fear there awaits a wondrous world of excitement, of achievement, and of satisfaction.

Marianne Williamson once put it this way: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?”

The mind of man is limitless. Look at history. Look at today’s world. The pace of innovation and invention in all aspects of our lives continues at an astonishing pace. High-tech. Medicine. Communications. Science. Some futurists even predict that we won’t experience 100 years of progress in the 21st century—it will be more like 20,000 years of progress.

Dramatic changes…amazing scientific and technological breakthroughs…they can seemingly materialize out of nowhere and disrupt the world as we know it.

So where do you fit in? The answer is…where do you want to fit in? What can you do? What can you contribute? What’s your potential? What do you want to do?

Hopefully, you have an inner voice that’s talking to you and encouraging you to recognize your true potential and shake it awake.

Don’t make excuses. That’s the easy way out. We can all find reasons why we should not do something. It’s harder to take action and do it. Just know that when you invest your heart and soul in a project it’s a magical, life-energizing, transformative experience. Go ahead and discover that for yourself.

Don’t limit your thinking. Don’t limit your do-ing. Challenge yourself to achieve greatness. Find your passion. Share it with others. Collaborate. Shake off any shackles that have been holding you down. Find individuals with whom you can work who share your passion; good people who share your values and your mission. People you can trust. Ignore the naysayers and the critics. Ignore the people who are envious. Especially ignore those who wish you ill.

Don’t be ordinary. Be extraordinary.

The sky is not the limit—unless you allow it to be.

As one great athlete said, “Limitations live only in our minds.  But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless.”

I don’t know all the answers. No-one does. But if you want to rise to the top in any organization you need to know the right questions to ask. You need to question yourself and you need to question the members of your team. Every day. Repeatedly.

When you ask questions of yourself you need to give brutally honest answers. And you should expect the same of everyone working for you. It’s the only way to innovate and the only way to overcome obstacles, fix problems and build a thriving, groundbreaking business.

Here are some of the questions great leaders ask so that they can develop great companies.

Why?

We’ve all joked about children asking “why?” over and over again. But, in all seriousness, the repeated asking of that simple three-letter question gets to the root of so many business dilemmas. You might have to ask five or more times before you elicit the response that truly solves a problem.

What can we do better?

Successful leaders never stop seeking improvement. Nothing is perfect. Everything can be tweaked and fine-tuned. Whether it’s a cost savings or quality of customer service; answering the phone faster or writing unbelievable code; finding a better supplier or coming up with a new employee training initiative—at every level of an organization something can be done better. So ask, and find out what it is. Leadership means pushing your team to attain a higher standard than they otherwise might establish for themselves.

What is everyone thinking, but reluctant to say?

This is a question that has to be asked, but in a progressive company shouldn’t need to be asked. Ideally, if you’re the leader of a team you’ve already fostered an atmosphere in which your rock stars speak freely. They’re not intimidated. They’re not ‘yes men.’ They’ll tell you the way things are even if it means breaking news they know you won’t want to hear. But there’s no harm in asking the question, just in case someone’s holding something back. You always want the plain, unvarnished truth.

Are we still innovating?

A company that stagnates and bathes in past successes is a company that is going to drown. The message: Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow. You have to keep asking of yourself and your employees: What are we doing new? What are we doing next? How can we become (or remain) the brand leader? What else should we develop? What markets should we enter?

Am I Inspiring?

Great leaders motivate. They know how to rally the troops. They build a company that everyone is proud to work for and excited to work for. They spawn a stimulating, creative environment in which people create and collaborate. A company is only as good as the person at the top. If that’s you, you have to constantly question if you are inspiring your employees. An inspired workforce is genius at work; a dispirited workforce is a deterrent to growth. Remember that your energy is magnetic.

Am I truly committed?

This is perhaps the most fundamental, basic question of all. If you hesitated one second before answering ‘of course’ it means that you are probably not as dedicated as you should be. And if you’re not committed, truly committed, to forging relentlessly ahead on your journey…if you’re not determined to emerge as a winner…you can’t expect anyone else to believe in your vision. Show your passion and it will ignite passion in others.

What do you need?

You’re not a mind reader, so how are you going to get a handle on what will make your employees happy and get the best work out of them if you never ask what they want? First of all, people need to be aware that you care and that you want them to be winners, too. Second, when they get what they need you can be sure you’ll be getting the best possible performance. You want them to be as committed as you are.

What are our values?

You know what your values are. You know what you stand for. You know the moral, ethical code by which you want your business to be known. Does everyone within your organization—whether you have five employees or 500 employees—know it? You can’t always be looking over every decision-maker’s shoulder, and that’s not desirable anyway. But by asking employees what they see as the company’s values will positively reinforce those critical values.

As I said at the beginning—no-one has all of the answers. No-one should. But great leaders definitely have the wisdom to ask probing questions of themselves and others so they can get to all of the answers they need. Then they must fearlessly implement what they’ve learned.

As a wise man once wrote, “Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.”

I’ve always believed in making a difference. I’ve always believed in shooting for the stars. During my 16-year entrepreneurial journey, I’ve been blessed with success that I never even imagined was possible.

Entrepreneurial success was my first ambitious goal. And I’ve accomplished that against all odds, despite skeptics and even in my darkest moments. But, I’ve always been a big believer in giving back and truly making a difference. My parents always reminded me, “to never forget where you came from.”

Today, I’ve formalized all of these non-profit efforts into, The Chahal Foundation, which I’m delighted to say has become a 501(c)3 organization. I’ve always wanted to make a meaningful impact on the lives of people in different ways. People across the globe.

Maybe you think that’s a grandiose statement. But, again, I’ve always believed in thinking big and acting big. It’s the only way to go. It’s the only way I know how to conduct myself.

I believe there’s a common dream that we all share, a universal right: and that’s the right to happiness.

As I say this in the foundation’s mission statement: “It doesn’t matter where we live or what we look like. It doesn’t matter whether we are rich or poor. It doesn’t matter what our religious beliefs are. We have the right to live without fear. We have the right to a better education. We all have the right to a better life. These are bonds that link us all.”

This is what my core believes.

The Chahal Foundation, will expand and work in these four key areas:

■ Creating awareness of social causes

■ University scholarships and mentorships

■ Supporting disaster relief efforts

■ Improving schools in third world countries

These efforts will build on my years of support for social causes and education including scholarships at New York’s Pace University and disaster relief through organizations such as the Red Cross. We will also be working with various NGOs to improve schools — starting with impoverished youth in India and Africa.

The Chahal Foundation became the natural evolution of the BeProud Foundation which I formed in August 2012, in response to the Wisconsin Sikh temple shooting when a gunman killed six people and wounded four others.

If you share this mission and would like to help, I would be delighted to have your assistance, in any form through your time, effort and ideas. These causes need us all to play a part to whatever extent we can. If you wish to help please feel free to contact us at: [email protected].

This is what life is all about, purpose. It’s about working together. It’s about making a difference. So, we can all have limitless dreams and limitless possibilities, and achieve what we all strive for – ultimate happiness.

Sincerely,

Gurbaksh Chahal

Founder, The Chahal Foundation

Follow our Journey on Facebook at: Facebook.com/ChahalFoundation

Follow our Journey on Twitter at: Twitter.com/ChahalNonProfit

Entrepreneurs aren’t born. It’s who they are. It’s in their hearts and souls. It’s in their very essence. The entire DNA of the most successful of entrepreneurs buzzes and throbs 24 hours a day with the entrepreneurial mindset and entrepreneurial attributes. There’s a switch that can’t be turned off.

Do you have what it takes? Are you a real entrepreneur or a wannabe entrepreneur? Ask yourself the following questions and determine if you have the fundamental requirements to make it as an entrepreneur.

1. Do you have passion?

Is this something you want to do more than anything else in the world? Are you filled with an urgent need, with a deep hunger, to bring your idea to market and make it superior to anything else that exists? You’re not an entrepreneur if you’re not passionate and if you’re not on a mission to make a difference—a big difference.

2. Do you have ideas?

Is your mind constantly flooded with ideas? Are your eyes always searching for niches and gaps in the marketplace? Or do you have a groundbreaking “big idea.” Entrepreneurs are always on the cutting edge. They’re innovative and they’re leaders. They can’t stop thinking about what they need to do next. Their restless mind keeps them awake at night. Is this you?

3. Do you have drive and determination?

Are you going to be able to run with your idea and actually make it happen? Are you a “can do” kind of person? Having ideas is one thing; having the ability to implement them is something else. Entrepreneurial leaders execute their vision. They “just do it.” Again and again. Each time with renewed energy and renewed enthusiasm. They turn ideas into reality. They never give up.

4. Are you willing to take chances?

Are you a risk-taker? Are you willing to push the envelope? Are you willing to experiment? Are you, in fact, willing to fail? Taking chances, seizing opportunities, overcoming obstacles, going beyond the boundaries…successful entrepreneurs do all of this. They are fearless. They know that a failure or setback is nothing more than a speed bump on the journey to success.

5. Do you have a vision?

Do you have purpose? Do you have a long-term goal? Do you have an all-consuming, single-minded vision of where you want your business to go? Can you be the architect of that vision and can you also be the builder who constructs it? Entrepreneurs know their final destination and how they are going to get there. Entrepreneurs believe in destiny.

6. Are you authentic?

Do you live what you believe? Do you have integrity? Do you believe in Karma? Do you only make promises that you can keep? You have to be true to yourself and your loved ones. You have to uphold your family principles of honesty and decency in your business experiences. Successful entrepreneurs need to consistently display a set of ethical values that win the respect of their professional peers.

7. Do you know how to lead?

Winning entrepreneurs also need to be the leader of the pack. They need to inspire and motivate. They have to be able to put together a team of rock stars and create a culture of success. They forge a bond in which everyone unites around a common purpose. Can you build a team and empower them by delegating key responsibilities to them? Can you make tough decisions when necessary?

8. Do you have a thick skin?

Are you able to ignore the naysayers? Do you have enough belief in yourself to take no notice of those who are scornful of your ideas and those who even ridicule your plans? Believe me, it happens. Entrepreneurs always encounter those who wish them ill and those who want them to fail. This is your opportunity to prove the skeptics and antagonists wrong. Entrepreneurs thrive on being vindicated and achieving victory.

9. Are you a change-maker?

Can you innovate? Can you develop products or services and market them better than anyone has ever done before? This doesn’t necessarily mean radical, game-changing solutions. Often your enterprise can be a supremely better business model or a phenomenally more effective tool.

10. Are you an optimist?

Most of all, do you have faith and confidence in yourself? Do you have utter conviction that you’re going to make it big—really big? Are you filled with positivity and can’t understand others’ negativity? True entrepreneurs never doubt that they will engineer breakthroughs that will be the envy of their peers. They are persistent to the extreme. They never quit.

Having the DNA of an entrepreneur means owning these qualities. Entrepreneurs lead but they also listen and learn.

They ignore the negatives and pursue their dream. And they win.

Ambition. Discipline. Love. They are three essential components that define success. And, they connect you with a deeper emotion, purpose. Each one of those words gives us a reason to follow through, to create the next revolution, and to make the jump.

The secret to combining all three to create success, is knowing how to jump and taking that first leap of faith. You will fail, you will be afraid at times, and you will get hurt. But, that’s what life was suppose to be about, turning our negative experiences into a cosmic energy that exudes positivity.

Once you’ve taught yourself ambition, discipline, and understand love, that’s when you become fearless. You will thrive, you will succeed, and you will cross boundaries you always lacked confidence in. The word “failure” becomes non-existent in your vocabulary. It becomes irrelevant to anything you do.

Without fear you become too focused on your journey. Nothing will steer you off your path, no obstacle will make you take a different course to get to your end destination.

The journey isn’t just about picking up the trophy at the end, it’s about defining your greater purpose in life. It’s about learning how to overcome obstacles and doing something greater than yourself. It’s where destiny and imagination finally meet.

And once you’ve found your purpose, you’ll never be bored. You’ll never need any hope, or luck. You’ll just need love, positivity, and the universe will help you connect those dots with a clear purpose.

I’m a big believer in philosophy driving success in business. Through philosophy you learn more about character, than in any business class you take as an entrepreneur. Character defines relationships. The good ones and the bad ones you encounter in your journey. The goal is to fade the bad ones out early, so they don’t become the root cause for your failure.

As Socrates once said, “He who is not content with what he has, will never be content with what he would like to have.

”Fear and failure just give you illusions of what you don’t have. However, ambition, discipline, and love give you a greater purpose on what you want to accomplish in life.

And, as another wise man said, “When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, thats when you’ll be successful.

”Jump. Take that leap of faith. Find your destiny.

Ever feel you are going to fail? Ever think about quitting? Ever think you’re just not good enough? Then don’t worry. Here’s a note you can read and recite to your future self.

Dear Disbelievers,

There’s a very good chance you don’t remember the day you made your biggest impact on me, however I do. Everyday, in fact, I think of what you said. It ignites a fire in me to come up with something no one has seen before.

Any time I hear a praise or a congratulations, I think of what you said. When people come to shake my hand acknowledging my accomplishments, what you said hits me harder. You’ve been there for me. Every time I’ve done something new, something bigger, something revolutionary, you’ve been there to ignite that fire.

Doubt

There have been many times I have explained a new product, a new idea, or a new game plan to implement. Those times you laughed and you explained there is no way I could make something like that possible.

Rather than spending time trying to figure out how to achieve it, you made me see how it wouldn’t be possible.Right there, you became the reason for me to implement that idea and thrive off it. Your shallow character showed me an example of who I don’t want to be. It told me that I need to be the absolute opposite, and thats who I am.

Judgement

It’s possible your doubt came from something you experienced earlier in the day, a rough morning. Maybe it was because of the way I looked, something you heard about me elsewhere, or the way I dressed. Despite everything, you did not know enough about me at the time, because you were able to doubt my future self.

Self Doubt

Your criticism, your negativity, and the humor you found in my ideas. They all made me question if what I was doing could really be revolutionary. It gave me alone time. I thought to myself, “Could they be right?” When I had started, you thought I was pursuing my idea to prove you wrong. I wasn’t. I pursued the idea to prove myself wrong for even thinking you may be right.

Confidence

Every praise, congratulation, and pat on the back gave me more belief I could do much more. It gave me more belief that I could prove you to be wrong. And, it gave me more belief that I could reach my dream. For this, I cannot thank you enough.

Understanding Others

Everyday I see there are people who laugh, taunt, and doubt what I will do next. You’ve taught me, from the beginning, these people will always be around. Always there to ignite that fire inside me. They only see ways for me to fail, not to prosper. I don’t hate them, I don’t understand the meaning of hate, so I just feel bad I can not understand.

Personality

You’ve always been there to show me an example of who not to become. I want to be someone to encourage the next idea. Not to scrap it down.

Right now, I am on my journey. I know, for a fact, I will do exactly what you laughed at. I may not be there this minute, but I’ve come much further than you had estimated I would.

Here’s one thing you may not understand from your perspective. You may have been the fuel and fire inside me, but I am the engine who’s gone further than you had ever imagined. Today, I am where I am because of the decisions I made. I have absolute control of my life, of my decisions, of my thought process, and of the person I wish to be.

Sincerely,

The Future You

Now, take a moment to think and pause. Think about who gives you this drive everyday. Who ignites the fire inside you to become the best. And more importantly, say thank you to your family and real friends who taught you what authenticity is really about. You find them not when you’re on top, but when the world throws you a free fall and you see them waiting to catch you.

Innovate! Do something new. Break new ground. The way that great companies grow and expand and become game-changing superstars is by creating something entirely different—or by building a better mousetrap.

No company can afford to stagnate. No company can become complacent. No company can be smug and self-satisfied.

Look what happened to Apple. It was on the verge of bankruptcy until Steve Jobs returned to the helm and famously declared, “The cure for Apple is not cost-cutting; the cure for Apple is to innovate its way out of its current predicament.” He went on to do just that and rightly be heralded by CNBC as the most innovative and transformative leader of the past 25 years.

Most company leaders, of course, talk about the need to foster innovation in their workforce. But how many really set the right example? How many are not only authentic personal innovators but also actively inspire innovation in their rock star team?

How many develop a corporate culture where innovation is the norm?It’s quite possible to foster innovation and out-of-the-box thinking in yourself and others. Here are six ways you can gain the confidence to become a charismatic, motivational, leader of innovators.

1. Alone Think

Does anyone ever truly take time to stop and think these days? Many people are so busy reacting to the barrage of texts and emails they receive and responding to phone calls and voicemails that having quiet time for reflection seems like an alien experience. I suggest you carve out some time every day for “alone think.” Taking the time for self-reflection allows your inner voice to be heard above the clamor of the day. It nourishes the subconscious mind and can switch on those light bulb moments. It allows the universe to speak to you alone.

2. Together Think

Most people call it brainstorming. But when a group of positive human beings get together and bounce ideas off each other…sensational things can happen. There’s a cosmic energy that surges through the gathering. It’s magical. It’s electrical. And it sparks innovation. It’s important for any organization to set specific time aside for its key people to think together. Involve people from different departments and with varied skill sets. And then see the explosion of creativity.

3. Take Risks

Go-getting innovators always push the envelope. They are willing to take chances. They are willing to fail because they know that each time they fail they learn something. And each time they fail takes them nearer to a success. They have the courage to experiment and to keep trying. And they encourage their key people to be just as fearless. They follow their heart and their intuition. They have a purpose in life. They dream big and astonish people who are scared of their own shadows. They defy the skeptics. But that’s why the innovators are the winners.

4. Be Curious

Ask questions—both of yourself and also of others. The inquiring mind explores new horizons, uncovers new truths, and finds different solutions to old and new challenges. The innovator has to have an open mind—a wide open mind. He has to be curious about everything and not settle for trite answers. He second-guesses himself and the rest of the team. He always wants to know more. He also wants diverse views from people who aren’t afraid to speak up and present contrary opinions, if necessary.

5. Encourage Controversy

Shake things up a bit. Disruptive, game-changing innovations often require stretching individuals to their limit. Be provocative.  You can’t afford to be super-polite all the time. Open people’s minds by throwing down the gauntlet to see them rise to the occasion. Constructively challenge concepts to take them to higher levels of performance. Demand the best and you will get the best.

6. Reward the Thinkers

There’s immense satisfaction in coming up with a breakthrough concept—whether by yourself or group activity. And it’s even more gratifying when the concept turns into concrete action. Everyone likes a pat on the back. So make a point of publicly acknowledging the input of employees who have spearheaded innovative business-building strategies. Present them with tangible rewards when you can and inspire them all the more.

Fostering the culture of innovation is easier said than done. But those company leaders who embrace it will always have a competitive edge. Along the way you’ll also find that the journey to innovation is a wonderful voyage of discovery that enhances the life experience of all who participate.  So, go for it.

As quoted from one of my favorite movies, “Don’t ever let somebody tell you… You can’t do something. Not even me. All right? You got a dream… You gotta protect it. People can’t do somethin’ themselves, they wanna tell you you can’t do it. If you want somethin’, go get it. Period.”

Negotiating is something we all do on a daily basis. We do it in our personal lives as well as our professional lives. Often, without even thinking about it.

But many people find it difficult when negotiating in a formal business setting. They become intimidated and tongue-tied. They give away real dollars and percentages without getting anything in return.

The good news is that the skill of negotiating is something that can be acquired. It’s not difficult to learn how to end up with a winning deal that makes a significant difference in your life; that keeps you firmly on the path to the destination called success. Whether you want to speed up your career path or turn your $100,000-a-year company into a $100 million-a-year company, knowing how to negotiate gives you a winning advantage. It’s part science, part logic, and part emotion.

Here are some of the key points that I’ve learned during my 16 years of being an entrepreneur. If you want to become a power player put them into effect.

Take Charge. You need to take charge of the negotiation. Like the captain of a ship you steer it in the direction you want it to go. Know what your final destination is (i.e. your desired outcome from the negotiations) and don’t drift off-course. Certainly don’t allow your adversaries to take the helm. Be confident. Display the strength of your convictions.

 Find Common Ground. Start the discussions by laying out the points upon which you can agree. It’s best to begin on a positive footing otherwise if things get contentious you might start sparring over items that were not really an issue at all. Open and frank communication is essential. Make sure that the other side clearly understands your viewpoint—and vice versa.

Stay Alert. Keep your eyes open for giveaway body-language clues and your ears alert for the hidden meanings in what your negotiating counterpart says—and what they don’t say. Stay focused. Be watchful. Listen carefully. Very carefully. What is it the other side is really saying? What do they really want? This is the most fundamental skill of all.

Don’t Let Ego Get in the Way. I certainly have healthy strong emotions. I’ve learned that it’s important to try and keep both in check to secure a winning long-term outcome to a negotiation. Sure, there are times when it’s impossible not to take things personally but, at the end of the day, it’s the facts that speak loudest. Keep the discussion results-oriented. And you’ll get your way.

React with Disapproval. One of the principal rules in a negotiating situation is to always flinch when you’re first made an offer. Grimace. Always pull a face to show that the terms are not to your liking. It might actually be an OK offer but you have to visibly demonstrate your “disapproval.” And, you can use this time to discuss their vulnerabilities.

React with Poker. You should almost always find someone else’s first offer outrageous. Go beyond the facial contortion and tell them that it is just not acceptable. At the same time your opening gambit is to make your own demands somewhat outrageous, so that you have room to maneuver. 

Trade-Off. Whenever anyone asks you for a concession you automatically and immediately ask for something in return. Don’t give anything away without some consideration for it, one way or another. This is the perfect opportunity to make a trade and acquire extra value.

Playing the Game. There are times during the negotiation process when you will need to adopt a position that you don’t really believe in. For instance, you might represent yourself to be a reluctant buyer or a reluctant seller. You might raise issues that aren’t really important to you, even though you seem to be passionate about them. They’re red herrings. They’re decoys. They are points you can happily concede. You impersonate.

Getting Something Extra. After you’ve reached agreement on the main issues you can probably extract some extra concessions from the other side. After you’ve shaken hands on the deal, then is the time to say, “Oh, yes, and by the way, I do get to XYZ, don’t I?” Making others assume what’s natural is the tactic here.

So these are some of the key elements of negotiating. Put them into effect and you’ll improve your chances of reaching successful outcomes any time you have to negotiate anything. Learn these skills with determination and purpose.

One final and extremely important point: The ultimate aim of a negotiation is to reach agreement. Obviously, you want to win. But it’s often necessary for your counterpart to feel that their needs have also been met. Sure, a win-win agreement makes sense. And you always want the other side to walk away believing they achieved their objectives. But don’t ever let the other party “win” by caving.

And, always remember one thing. Negotiate from a position of strength. Everyone wants what they can’t have.

Gravity4 is my fourth major business launch. After three successful endeavors I appreciate that some people might question why I’m doing it all over again. Why don’t I slow down? Why don’t I just “enjoy” coasting or be jetting around the globe? Why don’t I sit back and make the most of this so-called “good life”?

My answer is simple: that’s not in my DNA. I do it for the love of the game. Business is my sport. The good life for me is being an entrepreneur. I love creating and building businesses. I love breaking new ground and making a difference. I’m passionate about this magic. Because, magic is something you can create faster than anyone else. And, to me magic is about creating something out of nothing and solving problems that others can’t. I’m passionate about creating jobs and livelihoods. I’m passionate about building an all-star team who start each new day with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

To me business is like your favorite sport. It’s action-packed. It’s thrilling. It’s a no-holds-barred, head-to-head contest. It’s a contact sport not for the weak or the fearful. It’s about winning and never giving up.

If football’s your game you’ll appreciate the analogy of being the quarterback. You call the plays. You inspire. You motivate. Sure, there will be times when you get tackled. Tackled hard and knocked to the ground—no matter how much some of your teammates try to protect you.

You can score touchdown after touchdown, but still lose a game. You can make it to the super bowl and see victory snatched away in the dying seconds of the game. Sometimes, some of your fans become disappointed and disillusioned. And, that is the real-world looking down at you.

But next season you start all over again. You refocus. You persevere. You come up with a new strategy. New players are recruited to join the squad. There’s fresh energy and innovation at work.

For me, business is that game. Every minute excites and energizes me. Yes, business success brings considerable financial rewards. But it should never be about the money.

For me, achieving financial freedom was never the goal. I’m not motivated by the money, never was and never will be. I’ve seen too many people go down the wrong path in life out of envy and greed. I’m motivated by the journey. And sometimes that journey takes unexpected and amazing turns.

Just a few months ago I hadn’t anticipated that I would start my 4th journey this soon.  But once it became obvious that Gravity4 was my path forward, it became my destiny, I had no option other than to throw myself into it 1,000 percent. I forgot what sleep or eating was. I was focused on this sport. This launch, the team, the product, the vision, and focused on delivering something that disrupts an entire market.

I believe in honesty and integrity and in keeping promises. I believe in being authentic. I believe that business is a team sport and all your rock star teammates should understand the definition of commitment and loyalty. I believe in winning. I believe in coming first and refusing to accept second best. I’m a diehard serial entrepreneur who fervently believes in dreaming big and hustling harder, so that I can achieve any goal that I set my eye on. And I put my trust in God’s karma. That’s what being limitless is about.

And, if I can do this. You surely, can as well.

Make your magic.

If you are going to be successful, you will have to get attention and when you get the right amount of attention, you will have to learn how to handle the naysayers.

With the prevalence of social media, there is no shortage of people who will anonymously sling their hate, opinions and advice your way. Remember this rule: “Money and success follow attention and the right amount of attention comes with haters and naysayers.”

If you want success, you better learn how to attract attention and love your haters because without them, you won’t make it.

Here are five things to remember about critics, naysayers and haters:

1. All naysayers are quitters.

2. Critics and naysayers are spectators.

3. Never get emotional.

4. Never fear the hater; fear those who listen.

5. Never waste a hater.

And, always remember this. Memorize it. Engrain it part of your DNA.

“Success. It’s got enemies. You can be successful and have enemies or you can be unsuccessful and have friends.

”It’s lonely on top for a reason. Enjoy the silence.

1. Call someone instead of texting them.

In the text-crazed world we’re living in, picking up the phone to make a call is about the last thing you want to do when you need to get in touch with someone – but bite the bullet and do it anyway.

Conversation with someone you love and don’t get to see very often is food for the soul and your relationship. You’ll pick up on things you wouldn’t get in a five-word text message, and you’ll figure out that maybe you both aren’t as “fine” as you insist on being.

2. Wake up early and go for a run/jog/walk.

Yes, waking up at the crack of dawn is the enemy, and it’s hard to get moving an hour before your alarm is even set to go off, but guess what? Drag yourself out of bed and outside even if you don’t want to. The light, sounds of the city, free sunshine and endorphins you release just by moving will make you happier and might even change your perspective on a few things.

3. Volunteer for a work assignment you’re not totally sure you can do.

Your boss needs someone to take the lead on a project, and no one else is stepping up to the plate. The only question you need to ask yourself is: how do you know you won’t succeed at something like this if you’re too scared to try? 

Volunteer. It’ll be hard work and extra stress added to your day, but it’s worth it.

4. Take a class at the gym by yourself.

Love doing things in numbers? Here’s your chance to be surrounded by people yet doing something that is personal and intimate. You’ll pull support from the people who’re challenging themselves just as hard as you are, but you’ll find strength from within.

5. Ask for help when you need it.

Do it, I double dare you. Ask for help. Ask because you’re not sure. Ask because you’re terrified you’ll get it wrong. Ask because you don’t know what else to do. Ask because you don’t know where to begin.

You’d be surprised how easy it is to ask.

6. Get lunch with a colleague you don’t know.

There are plenty of people in your office you don’t really know yet. Take the plunge and ask someone that you want to be friendly with – maybe you both wear Converse every Friday – or someone who’s your complete opposite – to lunch. It might be awkward while you wait for your salads to come, but you’ll make it.

7. Be honest with someone close to you.

Honesty is sometimes the hardest thing to deliver. But, it can avoid a life long of future problems. Especially, when there are doubts about a person you know that is closed to your loved ones.

8. Get comfortable with your own silence.

It’s easy to let the noise and constant go-go-go just become the new norm, but do yourself a favor and tune out. The silence will put you back in touch with your inner- and outer-self. You’ll be able to dissect the highs of your day, what you want to work on, and what’s eating away at you.

9. Do something kind for someone you don’t know.

Like buying the $1 chocolate bar from the kid who’s selling them on the subway, or even donating a dollar to a complete stranger in need. They don’t know your name, where you’re from or where you’re going, but your kindness matters to them – and they don’t forget it. Pay it forward.

10. Apologize.

For something that matters. Even if it means sucking up your pride and saying “sorry” for something that caused. A simple apology can make a world of difference.

11. Make a to-do list for your future self.

Skip the day-to-day stuff, like buying a gallon of milk and picking up extra paper towels and aim bigger. Think about where you want to be in three or even five years from now – and what you need to do in order to get there. Think about the type of person you want to be, where you want to call home and what you hope you’ll achieve professionally by then.

12. Do something different on your way to work.

Maybe you’ll see something new that you've never stopped to notice before. Or you’ll finally accept the fact that you hate biking or that you hate how far down town your job is when you live uptown and so far from the subway. You’ll have answers and time to organize your mind before you have to start your day off.

13. Make plans to meet your friends after work and catch up – even if you’ve been avoiding making plans for weeks.

You've been canceling plans for three weeks now because at the end of the day you just want to curl up into your perfect comfortable, perfectly safe Netflix ball and watch “Scandal” until your eyes bleed. Go see real people. They’ll sustain you way longer than a five-second clip of Olivia and Fitz doing the dirty in the Oval will.

14. Write down the things you want to change about yourself.

You know that person you desperately want to be? The one you spend all day thinking about, hoping for, planning for and shopping for? Start being that person. Today. Right now. And if you want to get there, make a list – an honest list – of everything that you want to change about yourself – and that you can change – in order to get there.

15. Let go of the anger, regret, tension and resentment that’s holding you back.

You've seen “Frozen”. You get the point. Just let all that stuff that’s holding you down and hanging off you go free. Give it up. It’s not worth your time.

Life’s too short to hold any regrets.

I’ve spent quite a bit of time recently sifting through résumés while preparing to get my latest venture Gravity4 off the ground. We’ve been blessed to have gotten over 5,000 resumes even before launch.

It’s a starting point for getting to know someone and figure out if he or she will be a good fit. It’s a way to form an initial assessment of whether or not they have the right kind of talent and attitude to join me on my journey and make Gravity4 even more successful than my previous companies.

I’ve been humbled and delighted by the response I’ve received and the quality and enthusiasm of individuals stepping forward who wish to join me on this adventure. Personally, at the end of the day, I make final hiring decisions based not only on an individual’s credentials, but also my gut feel of that person. Does he have passion and drive? Is he a rock star who can perform again and again? Will he be loyal? And a host of other characteristics.

During my current hiring process I’ve seen outstanding résumés that have an immediate impact and make me grab the phone and speak with someone. Unfortunately, there are many other résumés that bear elementary mistakes—mistakes that should not occur on a document that can chart the course of the applicants’ lives for years to come.

The first hurdle any job applicant has to leap is getting in the door for an interview. And that means a résumé that’s going to sing to me and make me want to meet that person. It means a résumé that makes it perfectly clear why that individual is best suited for the job.

So what are some of the fundamental mistakes that I see when people put their résumé together? What are the things you shouldn’t say and what’s on your résumé right now that you should delete?

Don’t Be Longwinded 

First of all, as you probably know, the very meaning of the word résumé is brief account. I don’t need to know your entire life story, the date of every conference you’ve ever attended, or that you prefer dogs to cats. Résumés should be no longer than one to two pages. Enough said. Results…Results…Results

What have you accomplished? I want to know much more than the fact that you managed a particular division in a Fortune 500 company. What were the results? Did you increase productivity by 20 percent; save the company $100,000; secure the biggest account in the company’s history? What did you specifically do to get results? Dollars, percentages and hard numbers are meaningful.

Don’t Exaggerate

Don’t make stuff up. At some point any wild exaggerations will become apparent so it’s just a waste of everyone’s time to puff up either your education or work experience credentials. Company decision makers routinely check the background of applicants and during the interview you can easily be tripped up by a few carefully chosen questions.

Don’t Make Mistakes 

Your résumé is you. It’s the first thing that a hiring manager will know about you. It’s vital, therefore, that it’s error-free. If there is just one typo it sends the wrong signal. If there is one document in your life that you need to read and re-read and have proofed by several others—this is it. Make sure there are no grammar and factual mistakes. If you make mistakes on your résumé, what does that say about you?

Be Focused

Tailor the résumé to fit the specific position for which you’re applying. You may well have all kinds of skills but focus on presenting those that are relevant. The fact that you’re proficient in Microsoft Word might not be all that interesting and impressive to me. If you make your résumé targeted for the specific job, you’re likely to stand out and I’ll be impressed by the extra effort.

Be Presentable 

Your résumé should be easy-to-read; easy on the eye. Use bullet points. Don’t be afraid to use white space. Don’t use lots of different fonts and type sizes. Don’t over-use bold, italics and capital letters. Clarity is all-important.

Learning More about You

Perhaps your resume is a stand-out. Maybe I’d immediately like to know more. You can help a prospective employer by including a link to an online portfolio highlighting your skills and accomplishments. Or add a QR code linking to your customized web pages. These are tech-savvy approaches for today’s world.

Avoid the Negatives

The purpose of the resume is to promote yourself; to tell your prospective employer all of the good stuff.  Most people have some kind of dark cloud from their past. That’s something you can explain in an interview, not raise in your opening shot.

Don’t Get Personal

It doesn’t matter to me if you’re a descendent of someone who came over on the Mayflower or if, like me, you’re part of more recent immigration to this great country. It’s not relevant if you are married or single; have 10 brothers and sisters and have lived in the same house since birth. I need to know what contribution you can make to the company and if you can work effectively with the rest of my rock star team.

Don’t Give Your Age Away 

Stating your age upfront is not always a good idea. It can color the hiring manager’s attitude. Maybe you’re too old or too young? What’s important is what you can bring to the table, not how many years you’ve existed on this planet. 

For the same reason you should avoid listing professional experience that is more than 15 years old or stating an exact number of years in the workforce or every job you’ve ever held. The part-time position in a supermarket that you had straight out of school is almost certainly not relevant.

A Few More Don’ts

Don’t provide a history of your salary history unless it’s required. Don’t give references. They can be supplied in a separate document. Don’t include your Social Security number. Don’t use clichés like “excellent people skills,” or “team player.” Don’t add a picture to your resume.

So, bear these tips in mind if you want your résumé to lead to a call for an interview and not dismissed with a split-second click of the delete button. The résumé is a precious document that showcases your abilities and talents. Make sure that it presents you in the best possible light, because it’s unlikely you’ll get a second chance to shine.

Especially, when you have 5,000 resumes for only 50 positions open.

Many companies are successful. Many companies are extremely profitable. Many companies become national brands. Some companies expand across the globe. And then there are those companies that are in a league of their own—the game-changing companies.

They don’t follow the rules; they break them and change them. Iconoclastic companies such as Apple, Amazon, Starbucks and Virgin. Companies that developed and created products and services that had never been done before. What can we learn from such game-changing companies?

Charismatic Leadership

These companies don’t just happen. They derive from the passion, the drive, the determination and the inspirational leadership of the company founder. Obviously, in the examples I have quoted, that means Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, Howard Schultz and Richard Branson. One driven leader can create a corporate culture that settles for nothing but excellence and is constantly breaking new ground.

Uncompromising Toughness

Remember that saying: When the going gets tough, the tough get going? Game-changing go-getters who run game-changing companies often get knocked down, and even ridiculed, or scorned. But they learn from their experiences and have the resilience to bounce back and take their businesses to strata of achievement no-one thought was possible. The corporate leader showed their true mettle and never compromised.

Disruptive Force

Game-changing companies are disruptive. They create products or services that sometimes make their forerunners redundant or, at minimum, less desirable. Look what the arrival of Netflix did to Blockbuster. Look what Amazon did to national bookstores like B. Dalton. You have to disrupt the game.

Building it Big

You can only be a transformational company if what you do is scalable. Not only do you need to make your great idea a reality, you also need to be sure that it is something for which there is such a huge need that you can build it into a massive global business. As I said in a previous post…thinking big is the only way to go. You have to think anyway, so why think small?

Pride and Purpose

At game-changing companies there’s great pride, that permeates from the top, in being the best and the greatest. There’s a crystal-clear clarity of purpose. All of the members of the team, at every level of the organization, feel that they are part of something special; that they are making a positive contribution to a superior experience for their customers. They know and appreciate that peak performance is the path to staying ahead of the competition.

Talented Team

Game-changing companies source the best talent. They have a rock star executive team, which, in turn, recruits other outstanding, star performers. They also provide an environment which keeps that talent on board. They foster that all-important collective sense of purpose and empower their team to grow in an exciting “can-do” atmosphere.

Promise Keepers

Companies that make a difference, companies that count, are also companies that keep their promises. They deliver what they say they’re going to deliver. They build a solid reputation. Their customers believe in them and trust them because the corporate leadership listens to what their customers say and constantly deliver quality.

Enthusiastic Environment

Game-changing companies generate enthusiasm within their organizations and also among their customer base. There is an authentic rapport. It’s more than a product. It’s more than a service. It’s much more than a business relationship. It’s a real connection. There is spirit. There is energy. They stand apart from the mundane.

Top-Notch Communication

Companies that are revolutionary know how to get their message across. At the end of the day you could have the best product or service in the world but there’s no point if people don’t know about it. Effective communication within the organization itself so that everybody is on the same page and communication to the world at large are essential. If your company is great and a game-changer—shout it from the rooftops!

Final note. If you are fortunate enough to become a game-changer, please bear this in mind: The game is always changing. There’s always competition knocking on your door. So be prepared to change the game again—before someone else does.

Today is a new beginning.

They say that the two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.

I was born 32 years ago today. And today, I know why. Because today not only do I celebrate my birthday, but I also celebrate the birth of a phenomenal new business called Gravity4.

After 16 high-intensity years in the Internet advertising world I’m launching my fourth and most exciting enterprise. Each of my three previous businesses became more and more successful than its predecessor. And Gravity4 is all set to be even better. That’s just the way I am. I’m driven to surpass prior accomplishments. Money has never been the object of desire, my desires have always driven by ambition.

In fact, from my earliest formative years I knew with great conviction that I was destined to pursue and achieve something greater than myself; something that was immeasurable; something that defined purpose.

I never expected it to be easy. I came from humble beginnings—an  immigrant family whose brave, daring parents arrived in America with just $25 in their pockets.

Over the years I have faced and overcome numerous challenges. But nothing like those I have experienced this past year.  Even in my darkest moments, however, I never had any doubt that it was all part of my journey. There was a purpose behind the ordeal—and that was to lead me to the creation of Gravity4.

This is life. Life in the real world where no-one can expect a smooth, heavenly existence. It’s a world where you get knocked down and get right back up. It’s a world where you prove that anyone who thinks you’re not good enough couldn’t be more wrong. It’s a world where you reject rejection; where you erase doubt and where you refuse to be fearful.

Instead you keep chasing your dreams, no matter what. You have no option other than to keep advancing. To a die-hard entrepreneur, boundaries exist only so that they can be crossed; the only reason that limits exist are so that they can be broken. After all, when you come from nothing everything is limitless.

You measure success not by numbers, or anything superficial. You measure success by the courage you display, by staying the course, by going the distance. You measure success by not being a quitter. You measure success by proving your ability to an even greater extent than ever before.

You enjoy the presence of your success but you should never get too comfortable. The “inner me” knows no way to exist other than to continue the pursuit; to continue to raise the bar; to never stop running. It’s always just the beginning. And it’s always right to be fearless.

Just like gravity your energy attracts everything. Your energy is the cosmic force that generates powerful events and happenings; that provides new opportunities and makes a meaningful contribution to the world.

Gravity4 is going to be a force to be reckoned with.

I’ve been fortunate to know a few things about successful startups. I’m blessed to have created three major endeavors that have struck gold, and I’m getting ready to launch  my fourth in 36 hours. This has given me the opportunity to reflect on some of the essential attributes and components of entrepreneurs seeking to win the big prize.

Here are seven of them:

1. Dream Big – Follow Your Passion

Start with the attitude: This will be the start of something big. Shoot for the stars. Dream big. It helps, of course, if you have come up with the idea for an epic product or service that really excites you—something that is going to be in hot demand whatever industry you’re in. Start with the goal of becoming a category leader. Big goals are good. Small goals get you nowhere. A successful startup needs your passion. You wake up at night with ideas percolating in your head. You have difficulty falling asleep because your mind is alive with the possibilities. Be passionate. Be obsessive.

2. Build a Team

Find your rock stars. Put together a group of people who will share your vision and work collaboratively with single-minded determination to make your company the best in its field. It is people who turn great ideas into even greater products. This means you need to hire the best. Assuming your goal is to be the best you’re not going to get there if you recruit a mediocre team. You can never do everything yourself so identify key executives to whom you can delegate important tasks. You want to surround yourself with people who have integrity, drive and determination, who fully support your mission. Find people, though, who aren’t afraid to disagree with you. Listen to them while retaining the right to make the final decision. You don’t want ‘yes men’ and you certainly don’t want anyone who might stab you in the back.

3. Plan Ahead

A successful startup looks beyond tomorrow. This is not a sprint to the finish; it’s more of a marathon. While it’s tempting to barnstorm ahead (and there’s nothing wrong with fast action, believe me) you should, at the same time, have an eye on the future. Imagine your company two, three, five years from now and what you’ll need to have in place to make it function like a smooth-running machine. Appreciate that you may have to learn the art of patience. Building a business always takes much longer, costs much more and is a lot harder than most people realize.

4. Be Lean, Not Mean

When you’re launching a startup spend every penny like it’s your last. Every penny counts. Run a lean operation (even if you’ve somehow raised a million bucks). You don’t need a suite of fancy offices or expensive furniture. Who are you trying to impress? What difference will that make to your bottom line? When I first started I worked out of my bedroom. When I had to have office space I made sure I could afford it and even then bought budget furniture. Where you can’t afford to be tight-fisted is when it comes to hiring the best talent. Then it’s important to financially acknowledge the brainpower of your rock stars.

5. Test and Roll

Face it right now. You are not going to launch the perfect product on day one, no matter how much you might think you are. You don’t have time to waste. You’re not a startup until you get started. So get out there with your Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and test it. Then refine and improve and roll it out big when you’ve got some feedback and experience under your belt. Fail fast and learn even faster. Make your mistakes. Correct them. And stride onwards.

6. Be an Authentic Leader

Be genuine and inspirational. Give credit where credit is due. You’ve hired the best so let them get on with it. You’ve hired people who, in their respective roles, should be smarter than you. So, don’t micro-manage. Your job is to lead and establish the corporate culture that others will follow. Communicate at all levels and make sure that everyone is on the same page. Follow your lead.

7. Don’t Over-Extend Yourself

OK. This is easier said than done. Every excited entrepreneur ends up burning the midnight oil, sleeping on the office couch (or the floor) and generally performing like a whirling dervish. It comes with the job description. Been there, done that. But I’m going to say it anyway: Be careful not to burn out. Take care of yourself. Get a good night’s rest. Get some kind of exercise. Eat healthy.  You have to take good care of yourself so you can take good care of your company. Especially if you want a long-term success.

One last point: Never, ever give up. Be resilient. Be determined. Understand that there will inevitably be setbacks and failures as you make your journey. Overcome them and show the world your true character.

The human mind is a wonderful thing. It’s a perpetual thinking organism. It’s hard to prevent our brains from thinking every minute we’re awake. Maybe when we’re asleep, too.  So, if we have to think, why not think big? Is there any reason to not have big dreams?

If you want to be successful in any venture isn’t it better to shoot for the stars and go way beyond the moon? Why waste your time daydreaming when your thoughts could be applied in making a difference in the world? We all have 24 hours a day of life. We’re all capable of thinking about anything we choose. So think big.

I can’t imagine any successful business where the company owner opened her doors and said, “I’m going to think small. I’m going to set my sights real low. I don’t want to be too successful. Maybe if I could just make a little profit that would be fine.”

Darwin wanted to do more than write a travelogue. The Wright Brothers didn’t want to just fly across a field. And Einstein wasn’t satisfied reviewing the work of others when he worked in the Swiss Patent Office. They all had bigger dreams. Today, mankind has stretched beyond the bonds of Earth and not only landed men on the Moon but sent exploratory missions to Mars and beyond.

Humanity’s interest in the heavens has been universal and enduring. Humans are driven to explore the unknown, discover new worlds, push the boundaries of our scientific and technical limits, and then push further. The intangible desire to explore and challenge the boundaries of what we know and where we have been has provided benefits to our society for centuries.

Back on Earth entrepreneurs have the same kind of “push forward” spirit and the same kind of vision. We don’t want to develop a product; we want to develop the best product. We don’t want to take a small share of a market niche; we want to own it. We don’t want to be second; we want to be first. In the business world cup we want to be THE winner. We want to hold the trophy.

Some people, of course, never think big. They’re programmed by culture or tradition to go to school, get a good degree, and then settle into a steady job where they don’t have to think too much. They seek comfort and security. Maybe they crawl up the managerial ladder. Or maybe it’s just to get to the end of a shift and go home to watch TV.

Others have big dreams. But they remain dreams and are not acted upon. They think too much about the obstacles and the difficulties. They over-analyze. They’re good at coming up with excuses for not executing their plans. They let their fears smother their ambitions.

So, thinking big is a great starting point but you not only need to think big—you need to act big. Thinking big opens your mind to a universe of opportunities. Thinking big brings the immense force of cosmic energy into your life. Thinking big empowers you to overcome conventional wisdom and puts your brain into overdrive. Anything becomes possible.

I’m reminded of a powerful advertising slogan that the creative team at Adidas developed: “Impossible is nothing.” In many ways that’s the real wonder of thinking big: it makes the impossible possible.

Big thinkers aren’t satisfied with the status quo. Good is not good enough—they need excellence. Mediocrity is not in their vocabulary.

Every person who consciously decides to think on a grander scale can make a meaningful contribution to the world, whatever their field of endeavor. Break barriers. Break records. Invent something that makes life better, easier, more enjoyable. Motivate others to begin an inspiring, life-transforming journey. Show them how they can become rock stars in their own professions. Take humankind to soaring new heights of achievement.

As one famous writer put it: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.  Live the life you have imagined.”

That means acting on your vision. Stepping away from the humdrum. Becoming a leader. Why settle for anything less? The choice is all yours. And you do have a choice. You can think big or think small. But, as far as I’m concerned, thinking big is the only way to go.