Success Is Not About Talent As Much As It Is A State Of Mind

Have you ever noticed how some people who are extremely intelligent and talented struggle through life while others that pale in comparison to them become extremely successful?  The myth that the smarter and more talented you are, the more success will come into your life is simply not true.  But why?  Well, there are many answers, so lets examine a few of them.

I have found that success is a result of expectation:   Without question, the people I have seen become successful almost always expected to become successful.  It was only a function of time until their success lined up with what they thought would happen.  They made a decision to succeed, and once that decision is absolute in their mind, it happened.
Smarts are not all it takes to succeed.   In fact, I believe it is only a very small part of it.  I have found many smart people to take too much time thinking about things and they never get around to doing anything.  Smart people like trying to find shortcuts and be creative instead of simply putting in the time and making the sacrifices it takes to succeed
People who have struggled in their life many times have created a subconscious expectation of failure, and although they may be very intelligent and talented, they will subconsciously sabotage something that would ultimately create their success.  I work with a gentlemen in my business that has incredible talent, charisma, and intelligence at such a level that it is scary.  I expected him to set records in the business after the first conversation I had with him.  However, any significant success has not come his way yet.  The reason simply put is that every time he gets going and success is on the horizon, obstacles and distraction find their way into his life and a monkey wrench appears which haults progress because he allows it to take him away from the project at hand.  The truth is he has every tool in the book to succeed but lacks the one thing that will take him to the top; the mindset of success.  The State of mind that expects and actually demands success.  Rather he subconsciously expects to struggle so when things are going good, his mind finds something to change the pattern.  Basically it is a self sabotage.  It is the exact reason a large majority of people who win a lottery are broke within a short period of time.  Their mindset is as a person who is broke, and their mind doesn’t know how to deal with having money so it self sabotages by gambling, wasteful spending, and the like.  Same with many athletes who have made Millions and are now completely broke.
So, Here is my formula for success.

Set expectations of your life to be successful and focus on them daily.  Michael Jordan said “Your expectations of yourself shape your life”  So expect to become successful.  Think big!  Never say “you can’t” do anything.    Spend time with people who encourage you and are positive influences.  I was blessed to parents that never told me “I couldn’t do something”.  I was always told I could do whatever I put my mind to my whole life.  And although I have had my fair share of challenges in business, I have always ended up succeeding because it was an expectation.  Create a dream board with all of your lifes dreams and goals depicted in the collage of your creating and lose yourself in it for just 5 minutes a day.  Imagine what it is going to feel like when you achieve those goals.  Picture it. And tell yourself everyday that you deserve it because you are willing to make the sacrifices necessary and the commitment necessary to do what it takes to make it happen. Write out your goals as if they already happened.  Finally, become a competitor.  Challenge yourself to be the absolute best at what you do.   I will never settle for being second best and that is a driving force for me.  Make it a driving force for you too.

I leave you with this thought Your mind is like a garden, you grow what you plant. Think, feel and visualize your dreams and they will come your way.


Debbie Hancock

The Athlete – Entrepreneur connection : 
Why Athletes Often Become Incredible Business People

      When I began my entrepreneurial journey, I always had an inner fire that was driving me.  There was nothing in the world that could stop me and I have made a nice mark thus far in my endeavors as a result.  Prior to my introduction into the business world, I was a successful athlete. In fact, as far back as I remember, I was always in athletics and was very successful in every sport I ever participated and won many championships.  Ever to this day, I participate on occasion in a sport and have a drive to win.  I became a competitor in sports over my life, and that competitiveness has stayed with me into the business world.


                                                                                                                                                                                               




Being in the position to now recruit and train other entrepreneurs into
business with me, I consistently gather information to decide who my best candidates could be.  Although there is no rule or test to measure the heart of a person (which is the ultimate key to success) I did notice a great correlation between successful athletes and successful entrepreneurs over the years.   Here are 6 reasons I love working with former or current  athletes as partners in the business world.

They are Competitive-  Athletes, especially those who are or were successful have a common denominator that they all share.  THEY ARE COMPETITORS.  Athletes love a challenge, and they are driven to accomplish the goals that are set before them.  Success in the business world is very similar.  In fact, in my 16+ years as an entrepreneur, I have seen a strong competitive nature in the successful entrepreneurs I have met and worked with.  Most often, this competitiveness came from an experience in sports at an earlier time in life.

They have a Will to Win-  Athletes and Entrepreneurs both have a strong will to win.  In fact, losing to successful athletes and entrepreneurs is for many of them, unacceptable.  This becomes one of the best assets of a person that drives them to become a creative problem solver.  Simply put, they don’t accept anything other than a victory.  That doesn’t mean they never lose.  It simply means they never quit because of a loss, but they work harder, and strive to put themselves in a position to not lose from the same type of defeat again.

They have Dedication-  Successful athletes very seldom win by accident.  It came from consistent preparation, practice, and studying their sport to do whatever it takes to get better and better.  They are dedicated.  To be a successful entrepreneur, one must be dedicated to their mission as well.

They Persevere-   Question: What is the price of success for an athlete?  Answer: Blood, Sweat and Tears!  Through the early morning practices, the injuries, and the coaches pushing you to uncomfortable limits, successful athletes persevere through it all.  In fact, those who do not persevere do not succeed in sports.  Entrepreneurs must persevere as well.  More times than not, your project, product, or service will be rejected by a potential buyer or investor.  It may not pass regulatory requirements.  It may take years to even bring it to market from unforeseen issues.  Entrepreneurs must continue on and stay focused and excited about their mission regardless of these encounters, no matter how numerous or often they might show their ugly face.

They play a role -   Athletes play certain roles depending on their strengths especially in team sports.  For example, in baseball, hockey, football, basketball and other sports, athletes play particular positions based upon their strengths.  They also learn how to work with others as a team to leverage each others skills to make the team the strongest possible.  Although many entrepreneurs are self employed or own their company, they also must know how to play a role and surround themselves with others who have skills beyond theirs in certain categories.   Although the term “self made” is throw around a lot in books and magazines, the truth is that business is truly a team sport and seldom is their ever purely a “self made” success in business.

They are leaders-  This is, to me, what really separates a great athlete as well as a great entrepreneur from the rest of the pack.  Leadership, which simply put is the ability to influence others and inspire them to perform, is the most important attribute of an athlete I would want on my team or a partner to work with in business.  Leaders take responsibility for  losses, and they do not blame anyone else for them.  However, when they win, although they may big the biggest contributor to the victory, the give credit to their team members and remain humble.  They strive to better not only themselves, but those around them.  The lead by example and only request of others what they are willing to do themselves.  Many times, they do not say what should be done, they simply show people what should be done by just doing it.

So I commend the athletes of yesterday to become the business leaders of tomorrow.  The strengths they will bring to the table in the business world will be hard to find anywhere else.

By: Don Martin

DMJ International

Great Quotes to Inspire Success

 Whether it’s personal or professional  we are all looking for some inspiration from time to time. I wanted to share some of my favorites.

“If you don’t build your dream, someone else will hire you to help them build theirs.”

Dhirubhai Ambani

I came across these and felt inclined to share them.  The first one is one i will use as affirmation daily!  Have a great day!

“The number of times I succeed is in direct proportion to the number of times I can fail and keep on trying.”

Tom Hopkins

“You have everything you need to build something far bigger than yourself.”
Seth Godin

“You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.”
Zig Ziglar

“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.”
Jim Rohn

“Freedom, privileges, options, must constantly be exercised, even at the risk of inconvenience.”
Jack Vance

A mediocre person tells. A good person explains. A superior person demonstrates. A great person inspires others to see for themselves.”
Harvey Mackay

“If you can’t control your anger, you are as helpless as a city without walls waiting to be attacked.”
The Book of Proverbs

“A real decision is measured by the fact that you’ve taken a new action. If there’s no action, you haven’t truly decided.”
Tony Robbins

“Obstacles are necessary for success because in selling, as in all careers of importance, victory comes only after many struggles and countless defeats.”
Og Mandino

“Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.”
Dale Carnegie

“Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.”
Napoleon Hill

“The key to success is to focus our conscious mind on things we desire not things we fear.”
Brian Tracy

Debbie Hancock