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there is no such thing as “making it.” That no matter how much money you stack, fame you achieve, or success you taste, there are going to be more struggles in your future. More drama to deal with. More obstacles placed in your path.
The goal is not just to be successful. It’s about learning how to sustain that success, too.
Be fearless.
But one of the greatest mistakes people can make is becoming comfortable with their fears. Whatever is worrying me, I meet it head-on and engage it until the situation is resolved. My refusal to become comfortable with fear gives me an advantage in almost every situation.
Hustlin’ is a motor that’s got to be running inside of you each and every day. And its fuel is passion. If you can keep that motor running, it will take you everywhere you want to go in life.
Betrayal is never as far away as you’d like to believe.
evaluate every new venture based on its long-term potential, not on what the first check I get is going to look like.
have supreme confidence in my own value and ability.
that as long as I’m betting on myself, I’m always going to win.
One of the secrets to getting what you want in life is creating the perception that you don’t need a thing. That can be a difficult energy to project—especially when you’re struggling—but committing to that perception will make you more attractive professionally, personally, and even romantically.
Don’t be afraid to compete.
Learn from your Ls.
instead of complaining about or hiding from their losses, they actively seek to learn from them.
You’re never going to find lasting success until you take full responsibility for what happens in your life.
I live on the edge. I’m only free because I’m not afraid. Everything I was afraid of already happened to me.
Comfort, I’ve learned, is a dream killer. It saps our ambition. Blinds our vision. Promotes complacency.
what lives on the other side of fear isn’t danger, or even death, but freedom.
the only thing you can’t overcome is never taking risks in the first place.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO GET HIT
You need to bend fear into moments of action at every opportunity, because the fearless not only recognize but also often reward one of their own.
Punishment, Allah Understanding taught me, wasn’t something I had to accept. I could always do something about it.
You’re going to have to project the confidence that you belong, that you’ve got the answers, even if the people you’re talking to aren’t giving you the credit.
Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.
If you’re not hustling your absolute hardest, you’re never going to reach your full potential in life.
It’s not enough just to say you want to work hard. You have to commit to lifestyle choices that allow you to have the energy, focus, and stamina to actually do the work,
A strong passion stance is what separates the hustlers who win from the people who always seem stuck in place.
You need to set a goal for yourself. Ask yourself: What is it that I want? Be honest.
If you’ve spent your childhood worrying about past-due bills, family members in jail, or gunshots on your corner but are still out here trying to make it happen, you possess real resiliency. Acknowledge that about yourself. And then use that to your advantage.
Whenever you feel confused about a situation, it’s imperative that you find a way to turn the volume down and reconnect with what you’re truly feeling.
you have to incorporate some activity into your lifestyle that allows you to disconnect from the noise of both the past and present and reconnect with whatever you’re feeling in your gut in the moment.
the only sure thing you can always count on, 100 percent of the time, is yourself.
you must surround yourself with people who can help support, grow, and articulate your vision.
On the streets, there just isn’t enough space for both success and suckers.
DEMAND DISCIPLINE
if the blocks on the bottom aren’t solid, it’s just a matter of time before everything crashes down.
You cannot, under any circumstances, compromise when it’s your vision on the line. You have to be prepared to go against popular opinion and turn down money—even if it jeopardizes your relationships—until you’re confident you’ve found the right opportunity.
“Remember, if just one person was interested, that means your idea has value,”
It’s great to have confidence, but never let your ego blind you to an association that can take you further than you’ll go on your own.
FOCUS ON THE POTENTIAL—NOT THE PAYDAY
the first check you receive should never be your biggest concern. Always focus on the long-term potential instead.
You should always fight for your worth, but never take
offense that you have to fight in the first place.
strategy when I started talking with Starz was not to get the biggest check possible—it was to create the biggest opportunity possible.
Securing the best long-term potential is always worth making sacrifices in the moment.
JUST DO SHIT
People move based on direct interaction. Not on what a suit tells them.
Today, if you have a film idea you’re passionate about, you don’t need that studio to get it off the ground. You can literally shoot that movie with a smartphone, edit it on your laptop, and distribute it yourself on YouTube. If your work is good enough and speaks to your audience, people will watch it. It might take time, but eventually the word will spread that you’ve made something of value.
To build it from scratch. That’s actually the most important thing
By creating your movie on your own, you’ve already passed that test. You’ve shown that you can make something, that if a studio gives you a check, you’re actually going to give them something back in return. Combine that with a built-in audience and bam! Now you’ve got leverage! You’re not a dreamer with an idea hoping that someone takes a chance on you. You’re a proven asset who can sit back and wait for the best deal.
Don’t sit around hoping someone will invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in your restaurant idea. Start a food truck for a lot less and make sure what you’re serving is so delicious that the lines are around the block. If you do that, it’s only a matter of time before an investor shows up with a check.
