17 Inspirational Quotes to Help you Refocus and Renew

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Quotes | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

In life, some days feel full of sunshine and roses. In others? More shadows fall. In the latter times, quotes about refreshing your spirit can <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/15-inspiring-quotes-to-help-you-find-joy/">inspire you to find joy</a> again. They can include ones that focus on seasons—for example, when blades of green shoot up from the once-slumbering soil, and daffodils open up their blooms towards the sun. Many of these renewal quotes also focus on the beauty of the idea itself.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Whether they’re <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/30-spring-quotes/">quotes about spring</a> or about the metaphorical ideas of personal renewal and rebirth, quotes about resting and rebuilding can bring a sense of hope and new life. They can uplift and energize you, sparking laughter and happy moments. They can share positive perspectives you can embrace and use to brighten your heart. Use them for inspiration or pass them along to cherished friends and treasured family members, and share the love. To help with this resetting process, here’s a carefully curated collection of refocus and renewal quotes.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-powerful-renewal-quotes-to-help-you-refocus-and-reset-nbsp">Powerful Renewal Quotes to Help You Refocus And Reset&nbsp;</h2>



Sometimes, it’s helpful and self-nurturing to meditate on refocus quotes that allow your heart to center your thoughts and truly feel grateful. Reset quotes can help you transform your life and renew your enthusiasm for life’s blessings.&nbsp;







<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>“Perhaps the earth could teach us/everything would seems dead/and then be alive.” —Pablo Neruda, “Keeping Still”</li>



<li>“There are some things one can only achieve by a deliberate leap in the opposite direction.”—Franz Kafka, Conversations with Kafka</li>



<li>“We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” —Joseph Campbell, Reflections on the Art of Living</li>



<li>“Doing those deeply unfashionable things—slowing down, letting your spare time expand, getting enough sleep, resting—is a radical act now, but it is essential.” —Katherine May, Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times</li>



<li>“It is amazing how a new child can refocus one’s direction seconds after its birth. Everything falls into a feeling of ‘rightness.’” —David Bowie</li>



<li>“I love how spring is a season of renewal. I see a renewal in the foliage and feel a renewal in my soul as the winter fades away.” —Jamie Smith</li>



<li>“Starting over is never easy, but it can be the first step toward a life filled with renewed purpose and unexpected grace. Rebuilding your life is possible.” —Thom Singer  </li>
</ul>



Related: <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/95-uplifting-quotes-about-new-beginnings/">95 Uplifting Quotes About New Beginnings</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-encouraging-quotes-to-remind-you-to-rest-and-recharge-nbsp">Encouraging Quotes to Remind You to Rest And Recharge&nbsp;</h2>



A meaningful quote about rest can remind us that downtime is crucial to recharge yourself. This kind of self-care isn’t selfish. It helps you to be your best self and have the capacity to help others. As the flight attendant mantra of “put your own oxygen mask on first” reminds us, when you don’t have enough air, you can’t help those you love. Use these quotes about resting and recharging to give yourself permission to stop and relax.







<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>“If you want rest, you have to take it. You have to resist the lure of busyness, make time for rest, take it seriously, and protect it from a world that is intent on stealing it.” —Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less</li>



<li>“You rest now. Rest for longer than you are used to resting. Make a stillness around you, a field of peace. Your best work, the best time of your life will grow out of this peace.” —Peter Heller, The Painter&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>



<li>“Sleep fully, then work intensely. Focus deeply, then relax completely. Give each phase your full attention.” —James Clear</li>



<li>“If we know how to be content, we can relax our endless striving and welcome serenity.” —Haemin Sunim, The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down&nbsp;</li>



<li>“We have a choice. We can spend our whole life suffering because we can't relax with how things really are, or we can relax and embrace the open-endedness of the human situation, which is fresh, unfixated, unbiased.” —Pema Chödrön,  <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/18714455" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Living Beautifully with Uncertainty and Change</a></li>



<li>“Rest is not laziness. It is a crucial part of the cycle of life, a period of renewal that prepares us for what's ahead.” —Louise Vallace</li>
</ul>



Related: <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/13-ways-to-take-care-of-yourself-every-day/">13 Ways to Take Care of Yourself Every Day</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quotes-on-rejuvenating-and-refreshing-your-spirit">Quotes On Rejuvenating And Refreshing Your Spirit</h2>



Just as a long cool drink of fresh spring water can soothe a dry throat, these quotes about rejuvenation and refreshing your spirit can refill your innermost self.







<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>“What’s so fascinating and frustrating and great about life is that you’re constantly starting over, all the time, and I love that.” —Billy Crystal</li>



<li>“Some knowing is never pursued, only received. And for that, you need to be still.” —Mark Buchanan, The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath</li>



<li>“It’s a good idea always to do something relaxing prior to making an important decision in your life.” —Paulo Coelho, The Pilgrimage</li>



<li>“The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night’s sleep.” ―E. Joseph Cossman</li>



<li>“Unplug from people, noise, thinking and being awake. This stops all the stimulus coming at you. Then when you reconnect it’ll be like rebooting yourself emotionally.” —Danielle Bernock</li>



<li>“On my new path, I’ve embraced that I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. I’m me.” —Sophie Lemieux</li>



<li>“Know your sources of rejuvenation: the amount of solitude you need to feel fresh again, the activities that strengthen your creativity, the people who light up your spirit.” —Yung Pueblo, Clarity &amp; Connection </li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-empowering-quotes-on-rebuilding-and-resetting-your-life-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp">Empowering Quotes On Rebuilding And Resetting Your Life&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>



We’ve collected some powerful quotes about rebuilding yourself. If you feel like you’re in a stage where you are rebuilding, you’re not alone. Find comfort, solidarity and understanding in what others have to say with these quotes about resetting life.&nbsp;&nbsp;







<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>“Learning to relax and conserve your natural energies is one of the greatest gifts you can offer life.” —Iyanla Vanzant</li>



<li>“You are worthy of love and respect—first and foremost from yourself.” —Lisa Nichols</li>



<li>“You will need help to start moving in the direction of your joy. You can’t do it alone. Nobody has been able to do it alone.” —Amarvani </li>



<li>“When the mind is allowed to relax, inspiration often follows.” —Phil Jackson, Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success</li>



<li>“Today, I will relax, breathe, and go with the flow.” —Melody Beattie, The Language of Letting Go</li>



<li>“Outward circumstances may not always change in a hurry, but it IS possible to experience refreshing and hope in the midst of challenge.” —Glenda O’Neill</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reset-restart-refocus-short-sayings-to-inspire">Reset, Restart, Refocus: Short Sayings to Inspire</h2>



Sometimes, the most succinct sayings can be the most impactful—and that’s what we’ve gathered together for these reset, restart and refocus quotes: pithy, powerful sayings.&nbsp;







<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>“We must believe we are worthy of rest.” —Tricia Hersey, Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto&nbsp;</li>



<li>“Rest, let your body relax and grow.” —Arnold Schwarzenegger, Arnold: The Education of a Bodybuilder</li>



<li>“Resting is not a waste of time. It is an investment in well-being.” —Adam Grant</li>



<li>“Renewal. An infusion of new strength, sufficient for the day.” —Fran Haley</li>



<li>“When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.” —Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-embrace-these-renewal-quotes-and-the-new-life-you-re-creating">Embrace These Renewal Quotes And The New Life You’re Creating</h2>



There is beauty all around us. Sometimes, though, we need to stop to smell the roses—whether they are literal blooms or the blessings that surround us. So, whenever you need a boost, we invite you to brew a cup of tea or prepare another favorite beverage, take a few deep breaths and read these reset, restart and refocus quotes once again.

Kelly Boyer Sagert

Quotes about refreshing your spirit can inspire you to find joy and beauty in your life. Find inspirational renewal quotes to refocus and reset.

‘When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.’ | SUCCESS

31 Refocus, Renew And Reset Quotes to Inspire Your Life  

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31 Refocus, Renew And Reset Quotes to Inspire | SUCCESS

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Lydia Sweatt is a freelance writer, bookworm, and bass guitar enthusiast. When she goes outside, a bicycle goes with her.

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Lydia Sweatt

Personal Development

Personal Development Archives

Personal Development | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

Sometimes you have to look back to go forward, learning from others’ experiences and soaking up their knowledge as you go. Luckily, the decades that came before us gave rise to some of the greatest minds in history—and judging from all their accomplishments, they knew a thing or two about success.



Success isn’t limited to one specific era, and there are plenty of <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/30-inspiring-quotes-about-never-giving-up/">opportunities to be inspired</a> by the wisdom of these great minds’ great quotes. After all, we can all live victorious lives, <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/3-ways-to-discover-your-true-passion/">finding our passions</a> and discovering what success means to us.







Get inspired by these 40 famous success quotes from great minds. Their powerful words might be just what you need to get started on your own journey of growth and success. Take the insight of some of the brightest minds of all time and make it your own.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quotes-about-success-from-the-world-s-greatest-minds">Quotes About Success From The World’s Greatest Minds</h2>



Great minds have used their knowledge to achieve goals and break barriers to succeed in life. Find inspiration in these quotes about how to succeed from some of history’s greatest minds. After all, famous phrases about success can go a long way to inspire our own excellence. 







<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>“Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.” —Dale Carnegie</li>



<li>“Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of virtue.” —Albert Einstein</li>



<li>“I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”—Booker T. Washington</li>



<li>“Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.” —Truman Capote</li>



<li>“The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do, well.” —Henry W. Longfellow&nbsp;</li>



<li>“I don’t measure a man’s success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom.” —Gen. George S. Patton</li>



<li>“Success is a science; if you have the conditions, you get the result.” —Oscar Wilde</li>



<li>“Action is the foundational key to all success.” —Pablo Picasso</li>



<li>“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” —Thomas A. Edison</li>



<li>“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to success is more important than any other one thing.”—Abraham Lincoln</li>



<li>“The secret of success is to do the common thing uncommonly well.” —John D. Rockefeller Jr.</li>



<li>“All successful men have agreed in one thing—they were causationists. They believed that things went not by luck, but by law; that there was not a weak or a cracked link in the chain that joins the first and last of things.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson</li>
</ul>



Related: <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/15-legendary-quotes-from-successful-entrepreneurs/">Powerful Quotes From Successful Entrepreneurs</a>&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thought-provoking-quotes-about-great-minds-nbsp">Thought-Provoking Quotes About Great Minds&nbsp;</h2>



“Great minds think alike,” at least according to 17th-century playwright <a href="https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/great-minds-think-alike.html">Dabridgcourt Belchier</a>. But is it true? Here are some great minds’ quotes that may prove he was accurate—or not. 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>“The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.” —William Shakespeare</li>
</ul>







<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>"Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune, but great minds rise above them." —Washington Irving</li>



<li>“Every now and then a man’s mind is stretched by a new idea or sensation, and never shrinks back to its former dimensions.” —Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.</li>



<li>“A simple and independent mind does not toil at the bidding of any prince. Genius is not a retainer to any emperor.” —Henry David Thoreau</li>



<li>“A genius is often merely a talented person who has done all of his or her homework.” —Thomas Edison</li>



<li>“To make the common marvellous, as if it were a revelation, is the test of genius.” —James Russell Lowell</li>



<li>“The tough mind is sharp and penetrating. It breaks through the crust of legends and myths, and sifts the true from the false.” —Martin Luther King Jr.</li>



<li>“You only get one mind and one body, and it’s got to last a lifetime.” —Warren Buffett</li>
</ul>



Related: <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/10-inspiring-quotes-on-innovation/">10 Inspiring Quotes On Innovation</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-great-minds-discuss-motivational-sayings-to-expand-your-view">What Great Minds Discuss: Motivational Sayings to Expand Your View</h2>



What can you do with a great mind? How does the genius of a great mind work? Do great minds discuss ideas, people, things or events? Throughout the ages, many people have had ideas about how to motivate a great mind and why it’s important to push boundaries. Read these quotes and decide for yourself. 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>“Those who believe they can achieve the object of their definite chief aim do not recognize the word impossible.” —Napoleon Hill&nbsp;</li>



<li>“Times of general calamity and confusion, have ever been productive of&nbsp; for the greatest minds.” —Charles Caleb Colton&nbsp;</li>



<li>"If the people really set their minds on anything, it is impossible to prevent their getting what they want." —Henry Ford</li>
</ul>







<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>“Small minds discuss other people, gossip. Good minds discuss events. Great minds discuss ideas.” —Denzel Washington</li>



<li>“Dedicate yourself to the good you deserve and desire for yourself. Give yourself peace of mind. You deserve to be happy.” —Mark Victor Hansen</li>



<li>“Live the full life of the mind, exhilarated by new ideas, intoxicated by the Romance of the unusual.” —Ernest Hemingway</li>



<li>“Great thoughts speak only to the thoughtful mind, but great actions speak to all mankind.” —Emily P. Bissell</li>



<li>"A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on.” —John F. Kennedy</li>



<li>“Everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you and you can change it, you can influence it, you can build your own things that other people can use.” —Steve Jobs&nbsp;</li>



<li>“You are what you are and where you are because of what has gone into your mind. You can change what you are and where you are by changing what goes into your mind.” —Zig Ziglar</li>



<li>&nbsp;“Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas.” -—Charles Stewart</li>
</ul>



Related link: <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/17-motivational-quotes-to-help-you-achieve-your-dreams/">17 Motivational Quotes to Help You Achieve Your Dreams</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-powerful-quotes-from-some-of-the-greatest-minds-of-all-time-nbsp">Powerful Quotes From Some of The Greatest Minds Of All Time&nbsp;</h2>



A strong mindset and willingness to seek wisdom have been the ideals of some of the greatest minds in history. If we reach back in time, we can gain some powerful inspiration. Thanks to these words from some of the greatest minds, we can further our own wisdom and get motivation to grow our intellect.



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” —Aristotle</li>



<li>“A great mind becomes a great fortune.” —Seneca the Younger</li>



<li>‘“The mind is not a vessel that needs filling, but wood that needs igniting.” —Plutarch</li>



<li>“Minds are of three kinds: one is capable of thinking for itself; another is able to understand the thinking of others; and a third can neither think for itself nor understand the thinking of others. The first is of the highest excellence, the second is excellent, and the third is worthless.” —Nicolo Machiavelli</li>
</ul>







<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles." —Sun Tzu</li>



<li>“A mind without instruction can no more bear fruit than can a field, however fertile, without cultivation.” —Cicero</li>



<li>“A full belly is little worth when the mind is starved.” —Mark Twain</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-be-inspired-by-history-s-greatest-minds-nbsp">Be Inspired By History’s Greatest Minds&nbsp;</h2>



You don’t have to be famous or a philosopher to find your own inspiration from great minds. So use the ideas and thoughts to move you to think differently in your everyday life. Be motivated by some of the greatest minds of all time to live your life to its fullest. And if great minds discuss ideas with others, you can try sharing these quotes to get the conversation started.&nbsp;



Photo by Alpha Media Shutterstock/Shutterstock

Jenny Cohen

Get inspired and motivated by some of history’s greatest minds. These great minds’ quotes can give us a new perspective.

Get inspired and motivated by some of history’s greatest minds. These great minds’ quotes can give us a new perspective. | SUCCESS

Great Minds: 40+ Inspiring Quotes From History’s Greatest Thinkers

Great Minds: Inspiring Quotes From The Greatest Thinkers | SUCCESS

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Business &amp; Branding

Business &amp; Branding Archives

Stay ahead in business: strategies and insights for success

Is the American Dream attainable if you’re from a small country town? The immediate answer seems to be no, and yet, Kountry Wayne—comedian, author and entrepreneur—did not grow up in a place where dreams come true. Instead, he was raised in Millen, Georgia. It’s a town where poverty, limited resources and the “country boy” stigma can make or break you.



But on the road to success, being from the country was just one of many obstacles. At age 11, Kountry Wayne (then Wayne Colley) lost his mother. Several years later, as a high school graduate and young father, his uncle “hired him as a professional drug dealer,” according to one of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KingKountryWayne/videos/when-my-drug-dealer-uncle-hired-me-to-work-for-him/379098423082007/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">his stand-up performances</a>. That led to frequent run-ins with the police, and eventually a court hearing that could have sent him to jail for a long time.



But Kountry Wayne always had a lifeline. He used his comedic gift to charm a straight-faced judge into letting him go so he could take care of his family. He also left the street life behind, opting to throw parties and to host at his own club. Eventually, Kountry Wayne launched himself out of Millen to start a comedy career fueled by Southern wit and viral sketches.



Now he’s on a mission to share wisdom through clean, relatable comedy. He has a new book, <a href="https://amzn.to/3MTYvCL" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Help Is on the Way: Stay Up and Live Your Truth</a>, releasing April 18. He’s also filming a Netflix special in May, and millions of followers look forward to his witty videos on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@kountrywayne0/videos" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">YouTube</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KingKountryWayne/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook</a>.



In this Q&amp;A, learn how Kountry Wayne used <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/11-tips-for-letting-go-of-past-failures-and-embracing-the-future/">hard lessons from the past</a> to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/10-tips-to-create-the-future-you-deserve/">create a beautiful future</a>.



<h2 id="h-kountry-wayne-s-early-life">Kountry Wayne’s early life&nbsp;</h2>



<h3 id="h-what-was-it-like-growing-up-with-big-dreams-in-a-small-country-town">What was it like growing up with big dreams in a small country town?</h3>



KW: <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/5-tips-to-keep-an-open-mind/">If you’re open-minded</a>, you feel trapped. People try to put you in a box, and it seems like being simple is more accepted than trying to be successful. If you’re in Los Angeles and you’re trying to be successful, it’s the norm. If you’re in Atlanta and you want to be successful, that’s the norm. But trying to be successful in the country—it’s like you’re an outlaw. It’s not a supportive place unless you’re doing something that makes sense to everyone.



<h3 id="h-there-s-a-stigma-that-people-from-the-country-can-t-make-it-in-entertainment-how-did-you-break-through-that">There’s a stigma that people from the country can’t make it in entertainment. How did you break through that?</h3>



KW: <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/do-competitive-people-make-more-money/">A competitive nature</a>, and just playing sports. Growing up, my dad and my uncles were in the streets, and they all had this competitive nature. They would say, “Boy, your car is slow,” or “I made more money than you today.” So anytime someone challenged me, it triggered my competitive nature. That helped me defeat all the odds against me.



<h3 id="h-in-your-book-you-describe-millen-as-a-place-with-heavy-street-culture-that-you-got-swept-up-in-what-steps-did-you-take-to-escape-that">In your book, you describe Millen as a place with heavy street culture that you got swept up in. What steps did you take to escape that?</h3>



KW: Oh, man. Before that, I tried to go to the military. But eventually, I got a job and tried to dodge it that way.&nbsp;



One time I tried to get a job at a chicken plant, and I almost threw up when I smelled those chickens! I got right back in the car. So I took a lot of steps to try and dodge that lifestyle, but I ended up crunching the numbers. I thought, There’s no way I’ll make enough money, even if I work here 20 years.



<h2 id="h-kountry-wayne-on-making-a-change">Kountry Wayne on making a change</h2>



<h3 id="h-was-there-a-moment-you-knew-you-had-to-take-another-route">Was there a moment you knew you had to take another route?</h3>



KW: Yes. One day I was riding in the car with my kids’ grandmother, and we were talking about tax money. I told her I would pay all the bills with my tax refund, and she said, “You all should go shopping and enjoy your money.” I said, “No, I have to pay the bills from the furniture store—and it’s not like you all help me with the bills.” They were staying with me at the time.



And she told me, “Well, I could make my daughter take out child support and have you broke around here. So you’re stuck. You already have all those children with her, and you’re stuck.”



That’s when I knew I had to make more money because she was right. I was stuck financially. I would go through that forever unless I found <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-complete-guide-to-money-how-to-create-wealth/">a way to earn more</a>.



<h3 id="h-what-held-you-back-from-making-more-money">What held you back from making more money?</h3>



KW: The main challenge was the lack of opportunities in the country, plus I already had a felony on my record. So it was hard to do what I wanted to do or get permits for a business. Trying to be legit in that world was almost impossible.



<h3 id="h-how-did-you-overcome-that">How did you overcome that?</h3>



KW: I drove to Atlanta because I had connections there. I went to different clubs, saw how they were doing things and took that knowledge back to the country. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/27-books-for-success-to-add-to-your-summer-reading-list/">I started reading books</a> and getting ideas and inspiration. I read <a href="https://amzn.to/3osJ2iz" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rich Dad Poor Dad</a> by Robert Kiyosaki and <a href="https://amzn.to/41lvDYh" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Becoming a Millionaire God’s Way</a> by Thomas Anderson. I read <a href="https://amzn.to/3GUrHWk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The 48 Laws of Power</a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/40ijjXt" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Art of Seduction</a> by Robert Greene.



I used all of that information to get bank loans. I had to use ‘the art of seduction’ to make the loan officer feel comfortable with me and not my 500 credit score. I started gaining knowledge everywhere I could.



<h3 id="h-what-inspired-you-to-post-funny-videos-on-social-media">What inspired you to post funny videos on social media?</h3>



KW: I saw the comedy game take root in Atlanta. Comedians there and in Los Angeles were going viral on Vine and gaining followers doing little sketches. I was like, man, I could do that easily. I’ve always been funny.&nbsp;



So I jumped on it early and started posting skits in October of 2014. I was inspired by comedians like DC Young Fly, Phillip Hudson, Emmanuel Hudson and King Bach. Nobody was telling my stories, so I created my own lane. The skits allowed me to become a standup comedian.



<h2 id="h-kountry-wayne-s-new-book">Kountry Wayne’s new book</h2>



<h3 id="h-your-book-help-is-on-the-way-comes-out-soon-what-s-it-about">Your book, Help Is on the Way, comes out soon. What’s it about?</h3>



KW: It’s about my life story—where I’ve been, where I am now and where I could have ended up if I didn’t reach my dreams. But the central message is that help is always on the way. That inner help comes from the gifts you’re born with and the lessons you learn in life. You have all the tools you need to reach the next level, and you have to trust that.&nbsp;



So I use my life story to talk about the things I’ve been through and how I overcame them. It’s about relationships, imperfections, finances and family.



<h3 id="h-what-inspired-you-to-write-it">What inspired you to write it?</h3>



KW: I feel like people need to hear my story because most people in my hometown don’t make it out. They might make it money-wise, but they lose their sanity.



I made it here sober. I’m not broken, and I don’t have trauma. I’m thankful for wherever I am and what God has done for me. So I feel like people need to hear from someone who’s not speaking from a place of judgment or projecting their traumas. I’m trying to reach that person who’s in a dark place, and I want to share information without judging or belittling.



<h3 id="h-what-was-it-like-revisiting-your-past-to-share-meaningful-lessons-in-your-book">What was it like revisiting your past to share meaningful lessons in your book?</h3>



KW: Oh, man, it was like going back down that journey. I felt every moment. At some points, I wanted to stop. I thought, Hold up, we have to make sure the police don’t see this. How many years has it been?



It pulled at my flesh a little bit because the moments were so real. So it’s like you’re fighting at first, and then you make something amazing. Ultimately, it became this piece of painful, happy, joyful art created through my past.



<h2 id="h-kountry-wayne-talks-future-projects">Kountry Wayne talks future projects</h2>



<h3 id="h-what-can-viewers-expect-from-your-netflix-special">What can viewers expect from your Netflix special?</h3>



KW: It’s for people who come from where I’m from and that whole culture, for sure. But also, I’m speaking from the perspective of a sober person who’s definitely done some things. I have 10 kids with five different women, but I’m still here. I’m a Black man in this world, but I’m <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-i-stop-a-bad-decision-in-its-tracks/">not speaking out of anger</a>. It won’t be about politics or gender because I don’t care about any of that. I love everybody for who they are.



I’m addressing the stuff we need to talk about, like student loans. Because, hey, man, we ain’t paying them back. Everybody’s going to watch it over and over again and find something to love each time.



<h3 id="h-any-plans-for-the-future">Any plans for the future?</h3>



KW: I want to tell stories through movies and television shows and feed content to people in a creative way. I think that’s where I’m at. I’m also passionate about entrepreneurship and teaching people how to monetize on the internet realistically, hand over fist.&nbsp;



And I think a lot of people are going to come to me for spiritual advice too. I feel it already. I’m just going to be that person who shares the truth.



Photo by Amina Touray

Kountry Wayne shares how he used the hard lessons from his past to create his future—going from police run-ins to a Netflix comedy special.

Kountry Wayne shares how he used the hard lessons from his past to create his future—going from police run-ins to a Netflix comedy special. | SUCCESS

From Viral Videos to a Netflix Special: Kountry Wayne’s Journey to the Top

Kountry Wayne: From Small Town to Netflix Special | SUCCESS

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Smiling productive woman drinking coffee on her laptop

A,Cheerful,African,American,Woman,Enjoying,A,Fun,Moment,While

When I was 8 years old, I took piano lessons, singing lessons and played violin in the school’s symphony, all at the same time. Except for the symphony, I didn’t care for any of those extracurricular activities, but I especially hated learning piano.



Twice a week, always on a school night, my mom would drive me to the piano school hoping my music teacher would unlock some untapped potential deep inside of me. Or at least, expose me to something that might become a true passion.



But things didn’t work out the way she planned. My piano teacher was stern and classical, and I was young and unfocused. Every practice began with a warmup and what felt like an interrogation about whether I had actually done my homework. When she asked me to play the assigned pieces, it was clear I hadn’t touched any part of my keyboard or even glanced at the sheet music outside of her practice room. My practice book was filled with notes expressing her disappointment: Please practice! or Redo while counting! Well, it was filled until page 32. Not long after that, I quit.



Sixteen years later, I’m a full-fledged adult with bills, very little free time and just enough youthful indiscretion to blow my tax return on a MacBook. My old laptop had stopped working, and at first the MacBook was a simple upgrade. But that sleek machine soon became much more. Mostly because it came with an addictive music-production program called GarageBand.



As much as I wanted to hide from my strict piano teacher when I was little, I couldn’t deny my love for music. GarageBand sucked me into a world of quantizing drum patterns and transitions from bridges to choruses—some mesmerizing blend of art and science. I spent hours transfixed by the music I could make.



But for all of that musical inspiration, I didn’t even consider getting back into piano, even though that’s the main instrument used in most modern music production. Oddly enough, I didn’t even think of touching the keys again until I was confronted with a personal development challenge. It was a simple one: Find 30 extra minutes each day to do something productive and document it. If <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/why-focusing-on-your-personal-growth-now-is-more-important-than-ever/">finding time for personal development</a> is what truly separates achievers from the ranks of the ordinary, the thinking went, by the end of the month I would be some 15 hours ahead of those who don’t seek to push themselves.



The simplest strategy was to make the most use of my lunch break. In a busy working world, it’s always tempting to skip lunch, because that feels more productive. Skipping breaks entirely can have a lot of negative effects, though. So the idea was to not just eat lunch and rest for a few minutes or get right back to my day job, but to try something new and productive—an attempt to get the benefits of a quick pause from work while still using every minute constructively.&nbsp;



Laura Archer, author of <a href="https://amzn.to/2xiHzQd" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gone for Lunch: 52 Things to Do in Your Lunch Break</a>, attempted a similar challenge after skipping lunch took a toll on her health. Missing a break here and there didn’t seem like a big deal at first. But when she felt exhausted all of the time, even on the weekends, she knew something was off. She depended on caffeine more and more. At the office, she found herself surfing the web for vacation getaways.



She wanted a way to incentivize her own breaks, to guarantee they’d be fun and rejuvenating. On her blog, GoneForLunch.com, she shared her experiences and challenged others to explore a range of sitting, active, indoor and outdoor activities. What used to be months of endless work became a calendar full of activities Archer could reflect on with joy, like the times she learned to knit or speak a little Italian.



“The hardest bit is getting away from your desk,” she told me. “I think, for me, as soon as I was out of the building, I didn’t look back. I think it’s just that initial hurdle of being like, Yes, you are going to do this.”



When I started the challenge, all of the things I wanted to do were quick and practical: grocery shopping, mailing a package to my brother in Japan, flipping through various mobile apps to pay bills. I built a typical to-do list, just fragmented into these daily, 30-minute slivers of spare time around lunch.



But getting these kinds of things done wasn’t particularly exhilarating. Actually, aside from the occasional walk outside, or that one lunch break where I learned about the nuclear deadliness of a compound called red mercury via the <a href="https://www.stufftheydontwantyoutoknow.com/podcasts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stuff They Don’t Want You To Know</a> podcast, none of my new and improved lunch breaks seemed especially fulfilling.



To make matters worse, things became busier at work. I didn’t take the time to think about what I wanted to do for lunch other than eat, so the productive part of my breaks always felt rushed. I also wasn’t bringing my lunch to work, so I often had to spend some of what would have been productivity time picking up food. I didn’t have a ton of time to go exploring, so I settled for quick-hit tasks like making phone calls that were long overdue. That wasn’t much better.



Soon though, I came to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/why-your-free-time-is-so-draining/">dread these breaks</a>. When I saw the clock nearing noon, I’d sink into my chair and try to think of something new to do on my break. What started as a mission to free up my time had now become a burden. When the clock read noon, I’d still be sitting there—and the more I sat there, the better my chair began to feel. I really don’t want to go out into the world, I would think to myself. Has my chair always been this comfortable?



Most of my tasks had made me feel like I was scrambling for something to do, and now I didn’t want to do anything. It was exactly what Archer had warned me about.



“Normally with my lunch breaks before, I’d go for a walk or sit on a park bench or go shopping, and those were probably my three things I would do,” she said. “You kind of feel a bit weird sometimes. You’re like, ‘I know that I’m empowered by taking my break, but I don’t really feel that different.’”



I was starting to see where I went wrong. A lot of my lunch break decisions were made on the spot as a way to simply push me through the challenge.



In <a href="https://amzn.to/2xiMmkN" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smarter Faster Better: The Secrets of Being Productive in Life and Business</a>, Charles Duhigg writes that people fail more often when they make hasty, half-baked decisions. When you rush into something for the benefit of simply having a plan, things don’t really pan out.



Unlike cognitive closure, my lack of motivation at lunch had nothing to do with personality. Duhigg writes that scientists see motivation as a skill. That means even when you don’t feel like getting things done, you can get back on track through sheer will. But the trick is that <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-become-more-motivated/">motivation has to be practiced</a> in a specific way. To fully tap in, you have to feel like you’re calling the shots.



When I think about the moments when I feel totally in control, I think about being creative. I think about music. I think about those times when I’m in <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/if-you-want-to-be-more-productive-lose-track-of-time/">a state of flow</a>, too engaged in what I’m doing to worry about coloring inside of the lines—when I feel free to create, without hesitation.



One of the places I get to exercise this kind of control is in GarageBand or Logic Pro X, the new and improved version with a bigger sound library. You can come up with a soothing melody and then layer it with a squeaky analog sound that probably breaks all of the rules of composition. But in those moments, if it feels right, it’s right.



Suddenly it all clicked for me.



By the time noon rolled around on day 10 of my challenge, I was no longer sinking into my chair for the regular what-should-I-do-today brainstorm. Instead, I raced over to pick up some pages from the printer. The sheets were lined with tiny pianos, all of them dotted on various keys that made up the basic chords I wanted to learn.



I walked down to the office parking lot and lifted a huge keyboard from the trunk of my ca­r­—the same Casio keyboard I used as a kid before I got bored with my lessons. I set it down next to a shady tree and attempted to resume my failed piano education from a decade and a half earlier.



One by one, I pressed random keys. I could remember being told where middle C is and even the sequence of stepwise notes that snake their way from the white to black keys across the piano. But for the most part, my skill level was right where I left it. I still had no idea what I was doing, and that’s not a great feeling.



I poked around for a few minutes. Then I took one last look at my sheet of chords before folding it up and stuffing it into my pocket. One day I would learn how to play them, I decided, but not today. If I was going to do this, I’d rather know how the chords are built, and that would mean avoiding the shortcuts. Instead of trying to play three or four keys at a time, I’d have to master the individual keys first—and truly fall in love with the journey.



So the keyboard gained a permanent space in my trunk. Because I always had it with me (along with spare batteries), I could always find a way to practice. If I had to leave the office for food, I’d have a quick meal and then start practicing on the spot, which sometimes meant propping the keyboard on top of my trunk, right in the parking space. Some days I would find a vertical slab of concrete high enough to stand and play.



None of that was too embarrassing until people started to linger around me. I was learning to read sheet music during each lesson, so anyone who got close enough could hear me talking myself through it. Looking back now, standing on the side of the road playing random notes and talking to myself probably looked a little crazy.



But with consistent practice (including on weekends), it didn’t take long to break through some of the barriers I couldn’t get past as a kid. It took a ton of brainpower at first, but eventually I went from feeling mentally drained while playing with two hands to doing it without much thought. By the end of my challenge, I had learned to play some basic practice songs, like “The Woodchuck” or “Hannah from Montana.” Sometimes I was actually a little shocked at how easily my left hand answered the notes of my right.



Now when I flip open my MacBook to make a beat, it’s more than just fun. It’s structured. When I load a beat-making program, I don’t use the default audio setting that lets you use the laptop keys to make sounds. I actually prefer hooking up my keyboard. I take the time to wire it to my laptop because now I actually understand the formula behind what happens when I strike a triad chord or randomly play A minor.



I only wish my younger self could have known the joys of playing—and not just the agony of messing up during a recital.



The downside, though, of keeping busy during a designated time of rest is that you don’t always feel like squeezing some productivity out of every minute. Sometimes you just want to eat, slowly in my case, and watch a couple of videos on YouTube. Sometimes you just want to sit with your co-workers and talk about how crazy Black Mirror is. Some days you might <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-find-solitude/">want to be completely alone</a>, lost in your thoughts.



The more I strung together a list of unrelated, random things to keep me busy, the less I became interested in doing anything at all. Until I decided to home in on one thing, to truly <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-a-to-dont-list-can-help-you-achieve-your-goals/">work toward an exciting goal</a>, everything else was just something to do.



I’ve decided to keep practicing the piano during my lunch breaks. I don’t think I’ll do it every day, but I keep my keyboard in the trunk of my car, just in case. When I get that urge to practice, I just chew a little faster.



This article originally appeared in the October 2017 issue of <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/magazine/">SUCCESS® magazine</a> and has been updated. Photo by JLco Julia Amaral/Shutterstock.com

This writer squeezed in 30 minutes of extra productivity for 30 days. Along the way, she picked up an old hobby and learned about finding time.

The simplest strategy was to make the most use of my lunch break. In a busy working world, it’s always tempting to skip lunch, because that feels more productive. | SUCCESS

What 30 Days of Productivity Taught Me About Finding Time

What 30 Days of Productivity Taught Me About Finding Time | SUCCESS

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Success | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

Everyone wants to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/13-best-productivity-apps/">be more productive</a>, but the typical advice for focusing and getting things done isn’t realistic. For example, a common tip people cling to is, “Put your phone down most of the day, even while having dinner and right before bed.” But it’s not that simple in this era of TikTokers, digital nomads and LinkedIn influencers. A smartphone, no matter how addictive, equals opportunity. People use them to make content, get brand deals, find a job and more.



With or without technology, there will always be distractions. The trick is knowing how to coexist with it all and still reach your goals.



Nir Eyal, author of <a href="https://amzn.to/48ahiAq" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indistractable</a>, says it all comes down to intent. Watching your favorite TV show or scrolling through Instagram is OK if those activities don’t disrupt your day.



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/mastering-attention-with-nir-eyal/embed?style=artwork" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Mastering Attention with Nir Eyal"></iframe>



“You can turn distraction into traction by making time for it,” Eyal says. “So if you have time for those things in your day, plan for [them] ahead of time. It’s traction. Enjoy it without guilt.”



In this episode of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/bs/podcast/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/id1562886870" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brilliant Thoughts</a>, Eyal shares three misconceptions about productivity with SUCCESS People Editor Tristan Ahumada. They redefine what it means to be <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/8-ways-to-avoid-distractions-and-get-things-done/">distracted</a> and how to overcome that annoying state.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-despite-what-many-people-think-distractions-aren-t-easy-to-spot">1. Despite what many people think, distractions aren’t easy to spot.</h2>



Years ago, Eyal came to work with a clear goal in mind. He wanted to knock out the biggest tasks on his to-to list, especially those with immediate deadlines. So he sat down, skimmed the list and told himself to do the big tasks first.



What happened was the opposite. Somehow his mind tricked him into checking emails and scrolling a bunch of Slack channels. He thought, I’ll knock out the easy things so I <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/nothing-will-work-unless-you-do/">feel like I’m working hard</a>.



“What I didn’t realize by doing that, is that I was allowing distraction to trick me,” Eyal says. “I was doing the urgent and the easy work as opposed to the hard and important work that I had to do to move my life and career forward.”



These are covert distractions: activities that feel good but don’t make a real difference in the long run.



To get back on track, ask yourself which tasks make you feel accomplished at 5 p.m. Spoiler: Responding to 20 emails probably won’t make the cut. Most likely, you’ll feel grateful that a big, stressful project is in your rearview.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-we-mislabel-the-root-cause-of-distraction">2. We mislabel the root cause of distraction.</h2>



Most people blame outside events for their daily cycle of distraction, Eyal says. It was a phone call from mom that derailed the day. It was an email with the subject line: URGENT. It was a&nbsp; coworker traipsing through the office to socialize or take a break.



“But it turns out, studies find that that’s only 10% of when we get distracted,” Eyal says.



The other 90% come from internal triggers, such as:



<ul>
<li>Loneliness</li>



<li>Fatigue</li>



<li>Stress</li>



<li>Anxiety</li>



<li>Boredom</li>
</ul>



When you feel uneasy, you’ll do anything to escape that emotion. Addressing those <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/23-questions-to-ask-yourself-when-youre-stressed-out/">internal triggers</a>, such as why you feel stressed or bored, helps you avoid a mindless distraction. Instead of playing Candy Crush, maybe you just need to take a walk or request a work project that’s more stimulating.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-you-don-t-make-time-for-traction-so-distraction-takes-over">3. You don’t make time for traction, so distraction takes over.</h2>



If you feel distracted most days, check your calendar to see what's written there. What are you getting distracted from? If the answer is “nothing” (because you forgot to write some tasks for the day), it’s time to fill those empty spaces.



“If you don’t <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/12-time-management-techniques-to-make-the-most-of-your-24-hours/">plan your time</a>, somebody is going to plan it for you,” Eyal says. “There are too many interests out there between the commercial interests of the media or your boss or your kids. Somebody is going to take that time if you don’t decide for yourself how you’re going to spend it.”



But that doesn’t mean you should write a long to-do list. You need something that creates a natural boundary for your time–something that stops you from writing down any and every thing.



Eyal recommends a timebox calendar. It lets you assign one task to a fixed amount of time so you never overbook yourself.



“By making a timebox calendar, you are forcing yourself to make a trade-off,” Eyal says. “Do I want to spend time with my kids, or do I want to spend time on Facebook? Do I want to spend time working, or do I want to watch a game on TV?”



Distractions are irritating, but they aren’t inescapable events that trap us forever. Sometimes they’re a sign of something deeper, and we need more insight to discover what (or who) is disrupting the day.



Brilliant Thoughts with Tristan Ahumada is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.

“You can turn distraction into traction by making time for it,” Nir Eyal says. “So if you have time for those things in your day, plan for ahead of time. It’s traction. Enjoy it without guilt.”

“You can turn distraction into traction by making time for it,” Nir Eyal says. “So if you have time for those things in your day, plan for ahead of time. It’s traction. Enjoy it without guilt.” | SUCCESS

Why You’re Always Distracted from the Task at Hand

Why You’re Always Distracted from the Task at Hand | SUCCESS

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We envision a life with minimal stress when we <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/what-is-happiness-and-why-is-it-important/">think of happiness</a>. In this fantasy world, working around the clock is no longer a priority. There’s enough money to pay our bills and splurge on fun things, like vacations and hobbies.



The ironic part is that happiness looks like paradise while functioning as a daily grind. It takes a lot of effort, performed month after month, to build a joyful life. And before that happens, you have to choose the whole thing—the trying, the failing, the dusting yourself off.&nbsp;



In this episode of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/bs/podcast/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/id1562886870">Brilliant Thoughts</a>, David Meltzer, co-founder of Sports 1 Marketing, explains why happiness comes from purposeful doing. Meltzer’s book, <a href="https://amzn.to/3Itlmj8">Game Time Decision-Making: High-Scoring Business Strategies from the Biggest Names in Sports</a>, is a playbook for business success that highlights good decision-making. It also mirrors his perspective on happiness, which he describes as the result of discipline and strategy.



“Nobody wants to get started,” Meltzer says. “They don’t want to get back up. How many workouts have [you approached] and said, I don’t want to do this? And then you get started, and the first five minutes suck, and an hour later when you’re done, you’re so grateful and happy?”



In a conversation with SUCCESS People Editor Tristan Ahumada, Meltzer shares a unique perspective on becoming happy.



<iframe title="A Simple Vision for a Happy Life with David Meltzer" src="https://omny.fm/shows/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/a-simple-vision-for-a-happy-life-with-david-meltze/embed" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0"></iframe>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-desire-is-the-best-catalyst-for-happiness">Desire is the best catalyst for happiness.</h2>



Wanting something—anything—is the starting point of all happiness. Expecting a rosy outcome from life is what adds meaning and direction to everything you do.



But the happiest people don’t just want things. They desire them. They have a hunger for success that trumps their current reality, and they’ll stop at nothing to merge the two.



“When you have the desire that you must be what you can be, <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/what-is-my-purpose-in-life/">your purpose</a> will always outweigh the pain: setbacks, failures, or mistakes,” Meltzer says.



So that’s the first thing to master on the happiness journey: unbridled desire. Don’t choose a lukewarm goal you’re not passionate about. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/5-ways-to-pursue-the-job-you-want/">Pick a pursuit</a> that motivates you to create your happiest life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-happiness-happens-one-day-at-a-time">Happiness happens one day at a time.</h2>



Most people plan their happiness for the distant future, Meltzer says. They think, I’ll feel better when I launch my business. Or they grumble, I wish I could skip to the good part of life where I have everything I want. But that doesn’t leave much hope for the present. It’s better to cultivate today’s joy while building long-term happiness for the future.



“I believe we should only have daily resolutions based on our <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/new-years-resolutions-by-enneagram-type/">New Year’s resolutions</a> and our immediate and long-term objectives,” Meltzer says. “That will help us know what we want to do today.”



Prioritizing your life one day at a time <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/4-ways-to-take-charge-of-your-workplace-productivity/">keeps procrastination at bay</a>. It also frees you up to explore your purpose and embrace true happiness.&nbsp;



Here are three steps to get better at prioritizing:



<ol>
<li>Focus on today. What do you want to experience, receive, give and produce in tandem with your goals?</li>



<li>Find a community that gets you. These are people willing to help you and also accept your help in an ecosystem of like-minded people.</li>



<li>Use practical tools like discipline, strategy and awareness to reach your goals.</li>
</ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-don-t-underestimate-the-power-of-sleep">Don’t underestimate the power of sleep.</h2>



What does happiness have to do with sleep? More than we think. No one says it aloud, but chronic exhaustion—even the kind spawned by entrepreneurship—is a happiness blocker. You don’t feel your best, and because you have no energy, you don’t tackle your priorities the way you planned.&nbsp;



Meltzer says entrepreneurs should focus on <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/11-steps-to-build-an-evening-routine-and-why-you-should/">having better evenings</a>, not routine-heavy mornings. After all, what good is a morning routine if you’re too tired to function?



“You’ve heard this [before]: All great people have a morning routine,” Meltzer says, impersonating past interviewers. “What’s your routine, Mr. Meltzer? No. All great people have an unwinding routine. They start their tomorrow today. They put themselves in a [position] for recovery and access.”



Unwinding at night is about <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/why-mindfulness-is-the-ultimate-habit-for-success/">being mindful</a>. It’s understanding that drinking coffee and watching TV in bed will disrupt your sleep. It’s realizing that serious talks are best had in the morning when you’re most energetic.



Happiness is many things, but it’s not effortless. It involves some labor, but it’s a labor of love you get to choose each day. The more you choose that journey, the easier it becomes to marry your desires with the habits that make dreams unfold.



Brilliant Thoughts with Tristan Ahumada is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.

A simple vision for a happy life with David Meltzer.

A simple vision for a happy life with David Meltzer. | SUCCESS

Why Happiness Comes from Purposeful Actions

Why Happiness Comes from Purposeful Actions | SUCCESS

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Whether you’re a small business owner, content creator, or marketer, having a clear social media strategy is key to standing out online. The right approach can help you boost your brand’s visibility, connect with your audience, and get real results like more engagement, website visits, and sales.



For example, <a href="https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/social-media-marketing-industry-report-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Social Media Examiner</a> found that 83% of marketers increased brand exposure and 73% saw higher website traffic by using smart social media strategies. <a href="https://www.deloittedigital.com/us/en/insights/research/state-of-social-research-2025.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Deloitte Digital</a> also reported that brands with strong social media plans saw a 10.2% rise in revenue and were eight times more likely to exceed revenue goals by 25% or more.



As you can see, growing your social media presence isn’t about luck. Instead, it’s all about following a consistent, data-driven plan.



In this article, you’ll learn six proven social media marketing tips that are easy to follow and designed to help you grow quickly and sustainably. From understanding your audience to building valuable partnerships, these tips will help you cut through the noise and grow with purpose.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-know-your-audience-how-to-leverage-social-media-for-business-growth">1. Know Your Audience: How to Leverage Social Media for Business Growth</h2>



If you don’t know who you’re talking to, you’re simply broadcasting into the void. One of the most effective social media growth strategies is developing a deep understanding of your target audience. Tools like <a href="https://sparktoro.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SparkToro</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/business/insights/tools/audience-insights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Meta Audience Insights</a> and even direct engagement through polls and Q&amp;As can give you valuable data about your followers’ behaviors, content preferences and daily routines.



Beyond demographics, also pay attention to what motivates your audience, what addresses their pain points and which tone resonates best with them. For example, are you trying to reach Gen Z with fast, playful content on TikTok, or are you trying to connect with C-suite professionals who prefer thought leadership on LinkedIn?&nbsp;



Building audience personas allows you to tailor your messaging, visuals and tone to match exactly who you’re trying to reach. This is how to leverage <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/social-media-for-professional-growth/">social media for professional growth</a>: understand your audience so deeply that every post feels like it was made just for them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-stay-consistent-tips-for-posting-at-the-right-time">2. Stay Consistent: Tips for Posting at the Right Time</h2>



Consistency builds visibility and trust. Posting only when you feel inspired leads to sporadic performance and low reach. Social media algorithms reward consistent output, and audiences often develop expectations based on your rhythm.&nbsp;



Consider tools like <a href="https://buffer.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buffer</a>, <a href="https://sproutsocial.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sprout Social</a> or <a href="https://www.hootsuite.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hootsuite</a> to schedule posts and stick to a publishing calendar. Aim to post three to five times a week on platforms like Instagram, and experiment with different formats and themes to see what sticks. Mixing up content types like videos, carousels and stories can help maintain audience interest and favorability with algorithms.



Timing can also play a role. White it’s difficult to give an overarching answer on best times to post, there are some trends and timeframes for specific platforms to consider. For example, Instagram posts tend to perform best between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays. LinkedIn engagement tends to peak at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays. While TikTok trends vary, its analytics tool can help pinpoint the best timeframes and days of the week (e.g. Monday at 6 a.m., 10 a.m. or 10 p.m.). Use tools and surveys to your advantage to identify posting windows for specific platforms.







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nbsp-3-create-value-drive-your-growth-through-quality-content">&nbsp;3. Create Value: Drive Your Growth Through Quality Content</h2>



If your posts don’t help someone solve a problem, learn a new skill or feel inspired, they’ll likely keep scrolling. To create content that truly drives growth, focus on these pillars:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Educate your audience: Share tutorials, how-to guides and quick tips to help your followers solve problems or learn something new. Educational content positions your brand as a trusted resource. It can encourage followers to return and share your posts.</li>



<li>Inspire with stories: Showcase customer success stories, founder journeys or your brand’s mission to connect emotionally with your audience. Inspiration motivates action and builds a deeper connection that can turn followers into loyal advocates.</li>



<li>Entertain and engage: Use humor, trending audio or relatable scenarios to make your content more shareable. People seek entertainment on social media, so infusing your brand voice with personality and cultural relevance helps you stand out from the crowd.</li>



<li>Encourage interaction: Use polls, quizzes and open-ended questions to invite participation. Interactive content boosts engagement rates and helps you learn more about your audience’s preferences and pain points.</li>



<li>Be transparent: Show the people and processes behind your brand through behind-the-scenes posts. Transparency fosters trust, making your followers feel like insiders and strengthening your brand community.</li>
</ul>



Quick tip: Consider user-generated content and employee-generated content to help drive engagement and build trust too.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-engage-often-tips-for-increasing-traction-on-social-media">4. Engage Often: Tips for Increasing Traction on Social Media</h2>



Being responsive and reachable helps build digital trust and is essential for growth. Responding to comments, DMs and mentions is important. It signals that your brand is accessible, responsible and human. Make it a priority to reply to comments within the first hour of posting when possible, as early interaction is considered a quality indicator. It can also boost engagement and visibility. Don’t wait for people to engage with you either. Initiate conversations, ask questions and tag followers when you can.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-measure-and-optimize-tracking-social-media-performance-nbsp">5. Measure and Optimize: Tracking Social Media Performance&nbsp;</h2>



Guessing will only get you so far. To achieve real growth that turns into <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-4-step-formula-to-making-money-through-social-media/">profit</a>, you need to track performance closely. Look at metrics like reach, engagement rate, click-throughs, follower growth and conversions. Most platforms offer built-in analytics, but you can take it further with tools like <a href="https://developers.google.com/analytics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Google Analytics</a>, <a href="https://www.hubspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HubSpot</a> or Sprout Social to link your social performance to your business goals.



Pay special attention to tracking what works and figuring out why it works. Was it the visual? The format? The time of day? Laying qualitative feedback, like direct audience comments or sentiment analysis, alongside quantitative data can reveal deeper insights.&nbsp;



Reviewing your KPIs weekly and setting benchmarks monthly creates a feedback loop that continuously sharpens your strategy. It can ensure you invest your time in what truly moves the needle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-collaborate-strategically-try-social-media-partnerships">6. Collaborate Strategically: Try Social Media Partnerships</h2>



Want to grow faster? Collaborate smarter. Partnering with influencers, niche creators or like-minded brands can introduce you to new, highly engaged audiences. Consider micro-influencers, especially those with smaller but loyal followings.&nbsp;



These collaborations don’t need to be expensive or complex. Start simple by co-hosting a live session, exchanging shoutouts or running a joint giveaway. Cross-promotion keeps your content fresh and offers mutual benefits. Whether your goal is awareness or conversions, strategic partnerships are one of the most efficient ways to expand your reach without adding to your content workload.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-social-media-marketing-tips-can-fuel-growth-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp">Practical Social Media Marketing Tips Can Fuel Growth&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>



Ready to accelerate your business’s social media journey? Use these actionable social media marketing tips to get started and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/build-your-personal-brand-gary-vaynerchuk/">grow your brand</a>. Keep in mind that consistency and strategy matter more than volume. Brands that succeed know their audience, post with intention and create relevant content. They engage with authenticity and use data to refine their efforts. Strong collaborations can amplify that impact.&nbsp;



Start small, stay focused and build momentum over time. Real growth comes from deliberate, thoughtful action. Start today, and see how your efforts can fuel social media growth and drive business success.&nbsp;



Photo courtesy of LookerStudio/Shutterstock

Brett Hanley

Discover impactful strategies to build your brand, increase engagement and leverage social media for professional growth in 2025.

Social Media Marketing Tips for Growth | SUCCESS

6 Social Media Marketing Tips for Rapid Growth

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Changing the Narrative: How to Silence Your Inner Critic in the New Year

How loud is your inner critic these days? It’s a good question to ask yourself in 2022 to take stock of the beliefs you held in 2021. After all, you don’t want those old narratives holding you back in the new year. Instead, you’ll want to tame the doubtful voice in your head and the stories it tells.



“If we’re not careful, these stories can lead us to a place we don’t want to be, and if we’re intentional, they can lead us to some really great places,” Kindra Hall says.



In this episode of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/bs/podcast/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/id1562886870" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brilliant Thoughts</a>, Hall talks to SUCCESS People Editor Tristan Ahumada about controlling your personal narrative. As a storytelling expert, Hall knows a thing or two about false narratives, success stories and the gap between the two. Her new book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Choose-Your-Story-Change-Life/dp/1400228409/ref=asc_df_1400228409/?tag=hyprod-20&amp;linkCode=df0&amp;hvadid=507975958237&amp;hvpos=&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvrand=5928657892744580523&amp;hvpone=&amp;hvptwo=&amp;hvqmt=&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvdvcmdl=&amp;hvlocint=&amp;hvlocphy=9026931&amp;hvtargid=pla-1311440672094&amp;psc=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Choose Your Story, Change Your Life: Silence Your Inner Critic and Rewrite Your Life from the Inside Out</a>, is a manual for crafting your best life.



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/tell-the-right-story-with-kindra-hall/embed?style=artwork" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Tell The Right Story with Kindra Hall"></iframe>



Ready to reclaim your story? Here’s how to choose your personal narrative.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-catch-the-bad-story-as-soon-as-it-begins">1. Catch the bad story as soon as it begins.</h2>



We don’t have much control over the bad stories in our heads. They stick to our psyche, and removing them is difficult because they’ve been there forever. The mistakes you made 10 years ago and even grade school failures are deep, emotional stories—and they’re convincing. If you make the mistake of believing them, they’ll hold you back from success.



When a bad story is about to replay in your mind, recognize it for what it is: the past. That sticky fable doesn’t have to be today’s reality.



“Mentally stop and say, ‘What am I telling myself right now?’ Find time in your day to stop and ask yourself what limiting beliefs you have,” Hall says.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-confront-the-story-is-it-true-or-false-nbsp">2. Confront the story. Is it true or false?&nbsp;</h2>



The emotions that come with a bad story are horrible, but that doesn’t mean they’re factual, Hall says. A self-limiting thought is just that: a thought. It’s not based on data, so you control what happens next.



For many people, the beginning of the pandemic was an exercise in overcoming bad stories. Even Hall had demons to slay. In addition to a challenging year, she felt disconnected from her fitness journey.



She thought, What’s the point of exercising if SoulCycle is closed? I can’t do the exact workout I want at home. Well, there’s no time to work out, anyway. I need to take care of the kids.



“These stories weren’t necessarily negative, but they were certainly supporting my stagnation,” she says.



Eventually, she shattered the false narrative. She told herself the truth by thinking, I can exercise in the next room, right near my kids. They can spend an hour on their iPads while I do a 500-calorie workout.



As soon as Hall acted on those positive thoughts, she felt better because she was finally exercising again. The first step was acknowledging the story in her head, and the second was asking, “Is this true or false?”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-choose-a-better-story-to-replace-the-old-one">3. Choose a better story to replace the old one.</h2>



Have you ever tried to rewrite a story from your past? It’s an impossible task. While it almost seems feasible, you can’t recast old characters from your life’s story. And you can’t delete the scenes that influenced your personality or molded your perspective. All you can do is choose a better story that eclipses the old one.



When Hall searched for motivation to work out, she clung to one indestructible story. No matter what, she could always return to that memory as a source of inspiration and truth.



“I told myself the story of a wedding I went to when I had been active and keeping the promises to myself,” she says. “I felt great. I felt beautiful. A woman came up to me at that wedding and said, ‘Wow, you look radiant.’ And it wasn’t the kind of, ‘You look so pretty [compliment].’ It was that I felt radiant. It was the kind of thing that comes from inside of you.”



Trying to exercise on command was pointless without that golden memory, she says. She needed a better story, which is the theme of Hall’s new book: First, you tackle the story, and then you change your life.



“Again, the book isn’t called ‘Change Your Story, Change Your Life,’” Hall says. “We can’t change the things that happened to us. We can’t change the stories that are the pieces of our experiences—the pieces of our reality. But we can choose to set those aside in favor of stories that get us where we want to go.”



Brilliant Thoughts with Tristan Ahumada is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.

How loud is your inner critic these days? It’s a good question to ask yourself in 2022 to take stock of the beliefs you held in 2021. After all, you don’t

How loud is your inner critic these days? It’s a good question to ask yourself in 2022 to take stock of the beliefs you held in 2021. After all, you don’t | SUCCESS

Changing the Narrative: Silence Inner Critic in New Year

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How to Craft Compelling Messages Online and Win New Customers

Marketing your business online is rough stuff. Entrepreneurs—especially solopreneurs—sometimes struggle to find their ideal audience. No one is instantly great at it, which means customers are bombarded with lousy content every hour. It’s filling up their inboxes and clogging their social feeds, and it’s exhausting.



“We humans don’t have the time or the mental energy,” marketing strategist Ethan Beute says. “Five years from now, just think of all the digital noise and pollution that’s going to exist.”



To help brands win, Beute and Steve Pacinelli, BombBomb's chief marketing officer, teamed up to co-write <a href="https://amzn.to/3HvYNMh" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Human-Centered Communication: A Business Case Against Digital Pollution</a>. It’s a manual for businesses who want to craft compelling messages and humanize their marketing.



In this episode of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/bs/podcast/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/id1562886870" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brilliant Thoughts</a>, Beute and Pacinelli chat with SUCCESS People Editor Tristan Ahumada about typical communication mistakes. Most businesses have the right idea in striving to meet customers online. But a few things are stopping them from connecting, converting and growing their audiences.&nbsp;



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/the-new-thinking-in-digital-marketing-with-ethan-b/embed?style=artwork" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="The New Thinking in Digital Marketing with Ethan Beute and Steve Pacinelli"></iframe>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-put-your-audience-before-clicks-sales-and-revenue">Put your audience before clicks, sales and revenue.</h2>



Your business needs a strong presence online, but not at the expense of your audience’s sanity. People can sense when a company is fishing for quick sales or thousands of clicks.&nbsp;



“We always make the mistake of, ‘Oh, I need to generate more sales this month or this quarter or this year, and it’s getting to the end. What do I need to do? I need to ramp this up. I need 15 sales,’” Pacinelli says. “[That] starts with you and your needs and what you want.”



The solution? Work backward instead of speeding into the future. Good communication takes the spotlight off your business and onto the customer, so answer one question: What does my audience care about right now? For example, are they working adults facing holiday stress or investors ready to buy land in the metaverse? Before you send the next email or publish another post, identify those hidden desires.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-market-your-business-without-creating-digital-pollution">Market your business without creating digital pollution.</h2>



The internet is filled with unappealing content. According to Statista.com, <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/420391/spam-email-traffic-share/">45.1% of emails</a> in March were spam messages. Most people think twice before downloading a file because it may contain malware. There’s a general distrust of what’s “out there” on the web, which creates a challenge for entrepreneurs. On the one hand, you need to meet customers where they are and build trust online. On the other hand, digital pollution separates you from your audience.



“Digital pollution is the collective effect of unwelcome digital distractions—anything that stops you, slows you down, confuses you, frustrates you, perhaps even threatens you,” Beute says. “When you’re operating on digital and virtual spaces, that’s what we’re going to put in the category of digital pollution.”



The best thing to do is stop adding to the pile. Again, Beute says your audience will take the lead in determining what’s polluting their digital spaces—not you. If you see a post that’s borderline toxic and filled with negativity, but it has 180 likes, that doesn’t mean the author “polluted” Facebook, Twitter or wherever the post appeared, he says. It means the message is for a community you aren’t part of.



When you create actual pollution, people will show you by not engaging. Here’s what Pacinelli recommends to build an authentic connection:



<ul>
<li>Don’t stress over people avoiding your content. Ask yourself why they do, then create solutions to target their desires.</li>



<li>Identify the specific value behind your messaging. Does it align with what customers want to receive?</li>



<li>Measure your audience’s response to your content. Are people eager to engage with more of it?</li>
</ul>



Lastly, don’t celebrate a minor breakthrough; keep targeting more people.



“If you’re blasting all of these messages out, and you’re saying, ‘Yeah, I got some people [to engage],’ but you’re not focusing on the 97% that you’re not getting, at what detriment to your business? What’s the counter impact because now they are learning to ignore you,” Pacinelli says.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-video-is-popular-but-use-the-format-your-audience-enjoys">Video is popular, but use the format your audience enjoys.</h2>



Posting on TikTok or YouTube Shorts isn’t a shortcut to marketing success. Even with video dominating social media, you still have to consider your audience. Both Beute and Pacinelli say you should meet people where they are instead of where you are. A video platform could be the right fit, and it could also be the worst.



“If you’re a seller, and you really like doing something digitally, virtually or online, but buyers don’t prefer that, that’s probably not going to stick,” Beute says.



Focusing on human connection is more important than following trends. Still, you’re in luck if your audience likes video and you’re good at emotional storytelling. Beute says video marketing, with its audio-visual appeal, is the best way to express customer love in 2021 and beyond. 



Brilliant Thoughts with Tristan Ahumada is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.

Marketing your business online is rough stuff. Entrepreneurs—especially solopreneurs—sometimes struggle to find their ideal audience. No one is instantly

Marketing your business online is rough stuff. Entrepreneurs—especially solopreneurs—sometimes struggle to find their ideal audience. No one is instantly | SUCCESS

How to Craft Compelling Messages Online and Win New Customers | SUCCESS

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Successful entrepreneurs have five things in common that ensure their growth. How do you measure up?



Barbara Corcoran has met hundreds of entrepreneurs in her lifetime, and the best ones are always the same: They have a firm conviction about what they want to do in life. They don’t crumble when things get complicated. If a decision is impossibly tough, they force themselves to choose instead of staying stuck.



Corcoran observed these winning traits as a judge on Shark Tank, a TV show that gives entrepreneurs real business opportunities. For 12 seasons, she has listened to countless pitches and ultimately decided whether or not to invest in up-and-coming businesses.



In this episode of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/bs/podcast/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/id1562886870" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brilliant Thoughts</a>, Corcoran talks to SUCCESS People Editor Tristan Ahumada about what makes winning entrepreneurs so successful. Is it their collective mindset? Is it the habits they practice? According to Corcoran, it all stems from five key traits.



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/common-traits-of-successful-entrepreneurs-with-bar/embed?style=artwork" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Common Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs with Barbara Corcoran"></iframe>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-they-are-a-tad-arrogant-but-in-a-good-way">1. They are a tad arrogant, but in a good way.</h2>



Smart entrepreneurs have a unique internal compass. You could never tell them they’re headed in the wrong direction or to slow down and take it easy. It’s not in their DNA. The only thing that matters to a successful entrepreneur is their chosen path.



“I find that my best entrepreneurs listen to me and then do exactly what they please,” Corcoran says. “That’s how they are, and that’s a good sign. When I have a meeting with a new business I’m invested in, and they’re taking notes on what I’m saying and asking me to repeat myself, I know I’m going to lose my money. If they’re that attentive as if I have the formula, they won’t ever become successful entrepreneurs.”



Do people think you’re stubborn or arrogant when it comes to your goals? Good. As long as you’re moving the company forward instead of backward, embrace those bold traits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-they-know-success-requires-action">2. They know success requires action.</h2>



Lots of people talk about starting a business but never do. The difference between those who build something great and everyone else comes down to four critical habits:



<ol>
<li>Putting in effort</li>



<li>Taking action</li>



<li>Being dedicated</li>



<li>Staying consistent</li>
</ol>



It’s all about doing, Corcoran says. The more you do for your business, the bigger it grows.&nbsp;



But these golden habits influence more than just business outcomes; they are the key to living a happy life overall. When you apply this blueprint to everything you want—a nice house, a healthy body, strong relationships—you can really have it all.



“The difference between people who think happiness is elusive and people who are able to capture it is they take the action that’s needed—the willingness to work the 18 hours, the willingness to make a hard choice that’s going to scare the s--- out of them, the bravery to tell people what they think, the courage to leave a bad situation,” Corcoran says.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-they-can-recover-from-a-setback">3. They can recover from a setback.</h2>



When Corcoran invests in a new Shark Tank business, she’s not thinking about how the show will influence its success. She wants to know how the next six months will play out. Will the entrepreneur adjust to new challenges? Or will they fold under pressure?



“I can’t wait to see the ‘go wrong’ period. ... I just say, ‘What happened?’” Corcoran says. “I don’t say a word, and I just listen. You know what I’m listening for? I’m listening to how the entrepreneur handled it because this is my harbinger of what I bought into.”



All businesses have setbacks. You might struggle so much in the first year that it physically hurts to think about everything you lost. But no matter what, the best entrepreneurs take responsibility for those missteps and create a better plan.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-they-re-good-at-making-timely-decisions">4. They’re good at making timely decisions.</h2>



Making tough decisions is a large part of any entrepreneur’s journey. There are so many options when it comes to choosing investment strategies, hiring business partners and creating new products. Some decisions aren’t urgent and can definitely wait. But for everything else, knowing how to make fast, impactful decisions is a must.



“I find that people who can’t make decisions are put down, and they never get ahead,” Corcoran says. “I’d rather make three bad decisions. At least I can get up and say, ‘I tried it and I feel good about myself.’ It’s not going to kill you, a bad decision.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-they-have-solid-networks">5. They have solid networks.</h2>



Take a good look at your social circle. Do the people in your life fill you with joy and positivity, or do they drain your energy? If your relationships aren’t serving you anymore, it’s OK to let go and connect with the right people.



Cocoran’s ideal person is humorous before anything else. They are easygoing, can withstand challenges and make work a fun experience for everyone.



“I want a happy life, and I don’t want energy suckers around me, and I don’t want negative people who are going to see the dark in everything, because I don’t believe in coming back for a second life,” she says. “I really want my shot at being happy.”



Brilliant Thoughts with Tristan Ahumada is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.

Successful entrepreneurs have five things in common that ensure their growth. How do you measure up? Barbara Corcoran has met hundreds of entrepreneurs in

Successful entrepreneurs have five things in common that ensure their growth. How do you measure up? Barbara Corcoran has met hundreds of entrepreneurs in | SUCCESS

5 Things Successful Entrepreneurs Have in Common

5 Things Successful Entrepreneurs Have in Common | SUCCESS

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Attracting Success: How to Make the Right People Recognize Your Talent

“Your name is in rooms your feet haven’t even entered yet.” That’s a well-known quote circulating the internet, especially in communities of high achievers. It’s impossible to pinpoint who said it first. The inspirational quote is in hundreds of Instagram captions, Twitter threads and TikTok videos.



We may never find the originator, but Scott Evans is the perfect embodiment of that quote. He’s an Emmy-nominated entertainment journalist who has appeared on shows like Access Hollywood, World of Dance, OWN Tonight and America’s Big Deal. Some of his auditions were by invite, which means the right people knew Evans long before he met them.



In this episode of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/bs/podcast/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/id1562886870" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brilliant Thoughts</a>, Evans tells SUCCESS People Editor Tristan Ahumada how anyone can land rare opportunities. Although he works in entertainment, entrepreneurs looking to level up can learn something from Evans’ inspiring journey.



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/learning-lessons-from-celebrities-with-scott-evans/embed?style=artwork" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Learning Lessons from Celebrities with Scott Evans"></iframe>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-be-relentlessly-positive">Be relentlessly positive.</h2>



The stress of entrepreneurship can make even the most level-headed person want to scream, and that’s OK. Starting a business is hard. You have every right to feel those uncomfortable emotions when things aren’t working out. But if you can help it, don’t stay trapped in those feelings for too long. Negative emotions like fear and doubt sour your outlook on life.



Evans chooses positivity every time. He believes that being positive or negative is a decision like any other, and people have the power to choose.



“I’m going to be the guy who is encouraging—who, regardless of what the situation or the circumstances might be, decides that it’s going to be a good day anyway,” he says.



One way to stay positive is to find an affirmation you love and commit it to memory. Evans likes to chant the Hawaiian prayer for forgiveness and reconciliation, Ho'oponopono. Aloud, he says, “I love you. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you.” It’s a cleansing ritual that halts negative thoughts, especially when he’s about to entertain millions of people on live TV. Instead of thinking, I don’t belong here, or, No one is going to watch this show, Evans finds his confidence again.&nbsp;



Even if you never speak to millions of people, you do need confidence as an entrepreneur. It helps investors, employees and customers recognize the level of talent and value your business provides.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-be-authentically-you">Be authentically you.</h2>



At auditions, Evans used to mimic other TV personalities. He would shift his voice up or down in ways that both felt and sounded odd. It wasn’t working at all, and he quickly realized he couldn’t “sell” his talent by becoming someone else.&nbsp;



“I thought it was what you do,” he says. “You give them what they always pick, and so you just give them your version of Ryan Seacrest.”



Now he knows the truth: No one will recognize your talent or vision if they’re never allowed to see it. It’s something you have to promote shamelessly.



Whether Evans is in a boardroom, at a social gathering or hosting on live TV, he is authentically himself. That’s half the battle when it comes to selling yourself. The other hurdle is projecting the right energy so people are captivated by what you have to say.



Here are some tips from Evans to project your best self:



<ul>
<li>Be present in the moment. Put your phone away and give people your full attention.</li>



<li>Think confidently about your abilities, and that will show in your body language.</li>



<li>Be yourself and no one else when you enter a room.</li>



<li>Tilt the room. Make your presence known so everyone's attention shifts toward you. Say hello and introduce yourself to strangers.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-be-a-hard-worker">Be a hard worker.</h2>



There are few shortcuts to the top of anything—countryside hills, outer space and yes, even the pinnacle of your career. It’s a massive cliche, but you really do have to work hard before you can play hard.



Effort is relative, so it’s best to identify the type of work required for your industry. Evans knew he would have to work early, stay late and never complain to make it in entertainment, so that’s what he did.



But there’s another side of hard work we often overlook. It means almost nothing if you’re a hard worker who, for whatever reason, no one wants to work with. So once you’ve mastered the grind, spend some time learning the art of collaboration.



“What I would come to learn is that it meant being the one no one had to worry about,” Evans says. “You show up, you’re on time, people know where you are, you’ve done your research, and you are prepared. Because you are prepared and practiced and no one has to worry about you, you can also ask for what you need.”



If you’re frustrated because no one recognizes your talent, audit a few areas of your life. You may find you still have work to do before people can see how amazing you are.



Brilliant Thoughts with Tristan Ahumada is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.

“Your name is in rooms your feet haven’t even entered yet.” That’s a well-known quote circulating the internet, especially in communities of high

“Your name is in rooms your feet haven’t even entered yet.” That’s a well-known quote circulating the internet, especially in communities of high | SUCCESS

Talent Recognition: Attracting Success and the Right People

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4 Signs You’re on the Right Path to Your Dream Career

Professional Growth

Professional Growth Archives

Professional Growth | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

A corner office at a prestigious firm. A net salary of $200,000. A promotion that gives you control of a global team.



If you had to describe your dream career, would any of these items make the cut?



Mally Roncal, a makeup artist who has worked with celebrities like Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez, says that money was never the motivator for her success—it was passion. And it was her enthusiasm that catapulted her to a world where she wasn’t only serving clients, but one where she was also selling her own products through the <a href="https://mally.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mally Beauty</a> brand.



In this episode of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/bs/podcast/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/id1562886870" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brilliant Thoughts</a>, Tristan Ahumada, SUCCESS People Editor, and Roncal talk about obtaining your dream career. Generally, four key signs will be revealed if you’re heading in the right direction.



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/making-it-in-the-makeup-game-with-mally-roncal/embed?style=artwork" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Making It in the Makeup Game with Mally Roncal"></iframe>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-you-would-do-it-for-free">1. You would do it for free.</h2>



When someone is immersed in a hobby or passion project, the signs are hard to miss. It looks a lot like:



<ul>
<li>Ten-hour work sessions that never “feel” like work</li>



<li>Working on a hobby anytime, anywhere</li>



<li>Becoming so focused that you lose track of time</li>
</ul>



Sound familiar?



If your hobby is slowly becoming an obsession, pay attention to that feeling. The fact that you would do something every day without compensation means three things: You’re intrinsically motivated, highly disciplined and could turn your hobby into a career.&nbsp;



“I always joke that I was born with a mascara wand in my hand,” Roncal says of her lifelong relationship with makeup.



Before you make any big decisions, listen to your gut, she says. That will help you reach your dreams faster and ignore career paths that aren’t for you. In Roncal's case, she turned down a career in medicine—originally her parents’ idea—to pursue makeup and beauty.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-people-rave-about-your-talent">2. People rave about your talent.</h2>



When someone points out a talent you have, and then promptly encourages you to start a business for it, that’s a good sign. It means you have a skill worth exploring. If you sharpen that natural gift, you will become an expert.



That’s how Roncal landed clients like Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez. She’s the best at what she does due to years of practice.&nbsp;



But that’s not the only factor spurring her success. Roncal’s agent of 27 years knew her bubbly personality was a good match for celebrity clients. He describes her as the “warm cup of coffee” artists need to face 80,000 screaming fans.



“Jim started booking me with Celine Dion, Angelina Jolie and the Osbournes,” she says. “Then all of a sudden, Beyoncé showed up, and then J-Lo, and then Destiny’s Child.”



If no one is mentioning your unique skills, don’t be afraid to ask what they are. Go to your closest friends and colleagues and ask, “What do you love about me? What do I do better than anyone else you know?” Take those answers to heart and build a career using the best parts of your existence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-you-know-your-purpose">3. You know your purpose.</h2>



A dream job is not 100% elusive, and yet, it’s always slipping through our fingers. Why?



Looking at Roncal’s career, it seems that whatever you prioritize is what you end up receiving. If that’s pay and promotions, you’ll be fiscally set but perhaps longing for more. If you prioritize your purpose, satisfaction and money have the chance to intertwine.



So you don’t need the most impressive job on Earth—just one that allows you to live your purpose and express your beliefs.



For Roncal, being a makeup artist is about making people feel good about themselves. Money and recognition are nice perks, but human connection is what fuels her.



“If I’m going to do your foundation or your eyeshadow or your eyeliner or whatever, I’m sitting face to face with you,” she says. “There is nothing more intimate, more loving, more uncomfortable, more in the moment than having someone so close to you touching your face.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-you-trust-your-abilities">4. You trust your abilities.</h2>



When you trust yourself on an automatic, no-questions-asked level, you can build an exciting future.



Without total self-belief, Roncal would have never: asked a top New York agent to represent her with a “young” portfolio, launched Mally Beauty or sold beauty products live on QVC.



Each accomplishment took serious guts, and the TV launch in particular sparked years of entrepreneurial success.



“In 36 minutes, we sold out completely of every single piece of makeup,” she says. “That warehouse was empty. That's what I needed to hear... that this is where I’m supposed to be, and this is my home.”



Brilliant Thoughts with Tristan Ahumada is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.

If you’re experiencing these four signs of untapped potential, you might be closer to your dream career than you think.

If you’re experiencing these four signs of untapped potential, you might be closer to your dream career than you think. | SUCCESS

4 Signs You’re on the Right Path to Your Dream Career | SUCCESS

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How far will you go as an entrepreneur? Do you see your company getting featured in magazines, growing year-over-year and making a global impact?



First, let me assure you that your dreams are possible. The only catch is that everyone has the potential to do something great. Going from possible to probable is about developing the right habits for success.



In this episode of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/bs/podcast/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/id1562886870" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brilliant Thoughts</a>, music mogul Dre London (born Andre Jackson) talks to Tristan Ahumada, SUCCESS People Editor, about what entrepreneurs need to succeed. London is the founder and CEO of three businesses: Kruel London (women’s luxury footwear), London Entertainment Inc. (music management) and AUX Live (streaming platform). London is credited with discovering music artist Post Malone, and he was named <a href="https://variety.com/2018/music/features/post-malone-manager-dre-london-1203039120/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Manager of the Year</a> by Variety in 2019. Clients on his management roster include Tyga, Tyla Yaweh and, of course, Post Malone.



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/managing-post-malone-with-dre-london/embed?style=artwork" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Managing Post Malone with Dre London"></iframe>



Here are the four habits that took London from serial dreamer to entrepreneurial success.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-listen-to-your-gut">Listen to your gut.</h2>



Some entrepreneurs struggle to find a growth opportunity for their business. But what if the “discovery” part of the equation isn’t the real problem? What if we just can’t see the opportunities clearly?



The best way to see something that isn’t there is to follow your gut, London says. It’s what champions do to win at anything they’re pursuing. People like LeBron James, Mike Tyson and Micheal Jordan are great examples: No matter what, they pushed the boundaries of what was possible in sports and life.



“I see things that others won’t, and that’s what entrepreneurs do,” London says. “I see things in a space where others might not find an advantage. They might not see where that door opening could take you. I see the whole horizon.”



To become a better opportunist, look beyond “what is.” A project may be unglamorous on the surface, but what will you receive after putting in some work?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pursue-your-dreams-urgently">Pursue your dreams urgently.</h2>



If you have an idea for a business or product, start working on it now. Waiting even one month leaves the door wide open for a competitor to walk through.&nbsp;



London had a life-changing idea right before the pandemic. What if, instead of going to in-person concerts, viewers could watch live shows from their phones? It would mirror the concept of pay-per-view TV, but for the music industry.



He shelved the idea for a while, but a Post Malone concert rekindled his urgency. The live-streamed show was a huge success, but that wasn’t the only thing London had noticed. The event, in which <a href="https://youtu.be/f7eaGcIyhPU" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Post Malone performed a Nirvana tribute</a>, had 200,000 consecutive viewers and 1 million views total. That was the proof he needed to launch <a href="https://www.auxlive.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AUX Live</a>, a platform for streaming live events worldwide.



“[I thought], ‘If I don’t do this now, someone else is going to come out with it,’” he says. “So I kind of looked at all the different models. I looked at Netflix, Amazon Prime. I looked at all these things, and I said, ‘There is not one streaming platform for live entertainment.’ I looked at that and said, ‘I’m going to build the Netflix of live.’”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-treat-entrepreneurship-like-a-sport">Treat entrepreneurship like a sport.</h2>



Getting knocked down is part of any entrepreneur’s journey. There will be setbacks that truly sting, even if you win more than you lose. But if you genuinely believe you’re on the right path, don’t give up. Instead, treat entrepreneurship like a sport.



This mentality helps you understand that:



<ul>
<li>You’re not going to win a championship every year, which, in business, usually means more growth or money.</li>



<li>Some years, there will be better teams. That doesn’t mean you had zero achievements. Maybe you reached your hiring or marketing goals rather than making more money.</li>



<li>Getting knocked down is temporary. You have to get up to stay in the game.</li>
</ul>



Plus, sports and entrepreneurship tap into the same business models, London says. There are employees (players), bosses (coaches) and franchise owners.



“How is that any different from Netflix?” he says. “How is it any different from Amazon? How is it any different from the American government?... If the communication doesn’t come down from the franchise owner to the manager to the coach to get the players to play well, how are they going to win?”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-build-your-business-with-a-diy-approach">Build your business with a DIY approach.</h2>



It’s always nice to tap into venture capital or bank loans, but consider the resources you already have before you do. You might need less than you think to start a business. What relationships or skills can you leverage?



For example, London has an expansive music career. He’s able to pull from several resources and relationships to create new projects.&nbsp;



One of those undertakings is High Heel, a TV crime drama London is executive producing. Both Tyga and Post Malone have <a href="https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/dre-london-post-malone-manager-tv-project-high-heel-1234904754/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">producer credits</a> in the show. Plus, London uses his women’s footwear brand as a central storyline in the project.&nbsp;



“I just like to use all the accessories around me to create a world,” he says.



Are there risks when you’re building something DIY-style? Definitely, but that’s just part of the game—and fun—of being an entrepreneur.



“Ninety-nine percent of the time, it’s the risk that gets the reward,” London says. “So if you don’t take the risk, you don’t see the reward—the R and R moment.”



Brilliant Thoughts with Tristan Ahumada is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.

Good habits are the key to reaching the next level as an entrepreneur. Here are four to master right now.

Good habits are the key to reaching the next level as an entrepreneur. Here are four to master right now. | SUCCESS

4 Essential Habits to Become a Next-Level Entrepreneur

4 Essential Habits to Become a Next-Level Entrepreneur | SUCCESS

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<a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-start-a-business-in-a-day/">Launching a business</a> is somewhat formulaic. You need four things at a minimum to be successful: a great product, a solid team, proper marketing and paying customers.



But even with this simple blueprint, you can’t expect to copy someone else’s system and grow your business. There has to be an it factor <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/brand-storytelling-guide-7-ways-to-make-your-brand-pop/">separating your brand from the rest</a>.



Larry and Garrett Leight are proof of this concept. Larry founded <a href="https://www.oliverpeoples.com/usa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oliver Peoples</a>, a luxury eyewear brand with a glamorous Hollywood aesthetic. His son, Garrett, started a self-named eyewear company (<a href="https://www.garrettleight.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Garrett Leight</a>) with a different charm and purpose for its community.



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/succeeding-across-generations-with-larry-and-garre/embed?style=artwork" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Succeeding Across Generations with Larry and Garrett Leight"></iframe>



In this episode of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/bs/podcast/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/id1562886870" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brilliant Thoughts</a>, Larry and Garrett chat with co-hosts Paul Morris and Tristan Ahumada, SUCCESS people editor, about what it takes to start a successful business.&nbsp;



No matter which industry you’re in, here are three actionable ways to stand out and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/18-leadership-traits-that-should-define-your-legacy/">create a legacy</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-find-creative-ways-to-meet-your-business-goals">Find creative ways to meet your business goals.</h2>



When Larry opened his first eyewear store, he resold frames from other brands. It wasn’t ideal, but he was biding his time. The end goal was to sell vintage Americana designs—metal frames with gold accents you might see James Dean wearing in the ’50s.



With that in mind, Larry was on the hunt for rare deals and opportunities. He eventually met someone selling an estate of never-worn glasses, and the entire collection was an optical goldmine.



“It was everything to do with eyewear,” Larry says. “Catalogues, machines, lenses, clip-ons and other companies that made beautiful handmade eyewear in America. Metal frames. 14-karat gold fills…. I said, ‘What do you want for everything in this room?’ He said $6,000.”



Six thousand dollars was a lot of money to invest in the ‘80s, Larry says. But buying those vintage frames helped to create the aesthetic of his business.



If you’re building a company from the ground up, get scrappy in your <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/4-ways-to-invite-opportunity-into-your-life/">quest for new opportunities</a>. For Larry, that meant flying to New York for an estate sale. What would a bold, calculated move look like for you and your brand?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-network-team-up-with-industry-underdogs">Network. Team up with industry underdogs.</h2>



Larry could have kept things simple when he started Oliver Peoples. He could have partnered with American designers and launched a 100% U.S.-based operation. After all, that was the convenient thing to do. The only problem was that the aesthetic for his company wasn’t exclusive to America. So he traveled.&nbsp;



Larry’s most impactful, life-changing trip was to a trade show in Japan. There, he spotted two designers falling asleep at their booth, which had been fairly unsuccessful.



“They couldn’t sell one frame the whole show,” Larry says. “Nobody was interested, but we were.”



The Japanese designers were selling frames similar to Larry’s dream design. So he decided to purchase from them and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/strong-relationships-are-still-the-key-to-business-success/">build a long-term relationship</a>.



“Five days later, I called back saying I needed 500 [frames],” Larry says. “A week later, I needed 1,000. These were similar frames to what our idea was. And then I asked them, ‘Could you do the designs we want?’”



Those designers became ambassadors and manufacturers all at once, helping to grow the Oliver Peoples brand in Japan.



The lesson? Partner with people—especially the underdogs—who share your vision. Sometimes networking laterally instead of up the ladder of <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-most-powerful-tool-we-have-is-influence-heres-how-to-wield-it/">influence is powerful</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meet-your-customers-where-they-are">Meet your customers where they are.</h2>



Once you have the perfect product for your business, the next challenge is <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/4-ways-to-identify-your-ideal-client-and-prime-your-business-for-growth/">finding your ideal customers</a>. These are people who understand your brand’s culture because they see a part of themselves in your story.



Larry and Garrett have learned that these customers don’t find you. It’s better to meet them where they are and be a constant presence in their lives.&nbsp;



In a world with no email or social media, Larry met his customers by:&nbsp;



<ul>
<li>Flying to Germany, London, Japan and France to pitch eyewear kits to magazines. That’s how he got Oliver Peoples into publications like Vogue, Elle and even the Wall Street Journal.</li>



<li>Selling his kits on the go wherever he traveled</li>



<li>Getting his sunglasses into the coolest, most popular stores overseas</li>
</ul>



For Garrett, technology made things a tad easier.



“I work in the same medium as my father but in a different era of distributing your message and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-build-a-personal-brand-that-breaks-through-the-digital-noise/">brand through digital</a>,” Garrett says.



Garrett promoted his company by blogging, launching a magazine and networking with prospective buyers in Europe—a tried-and-true strategy he learned from his dad. His brand represents the Venice Beach lifestyle, so he sold to people who identified with that, regardless of where they lived.



“I was glamorous Hollywood,” Larry says. “Garrett was more youthful, grungy, gritty.”



<a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/everyone-has-a-story-heres-how-to-make-yours-resonate/">Selling your story</a> to the right customer is about showing up where they gather: social media, print publications, in-person events or other mediums. No place is the wrong place if that’s where your community hangs out.



When you put these three strategies together—finding creative opportunities, networking and meeting your customers where they are—it’s only a matter of time before your business takes off.



Brilliant Thoughts with Tristan Ahumada is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.

How do you build a thriving business when there’s so much competition in the market? Start with a dash of originality, then sprinkle these three strategies into the mix.

How do you build a thriving business when there’s so much competition in the market? Start with a dash of originality, then sprinkle these three strategies into the mix. | SUCCESS

Launching a Business Against All Odds: 3 Tips for Startup Success

Launching a Business Against All Odds: 3 Tips for Startup Success | SUCCESS

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Identifying Your Purpose and Values: How to Go Beyond Happiness

Happiness is a tricky thing to master. After all, the joy we feel can be replaced by emotions that grip us even tighter, like fear, uncertainty, anger and doubt.



In this episode of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/bs/podcast/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/id1562886870" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brilliant Thoughts</a>, SUCCESS People Editor Tristan Ahumada talks to Jenn Lim about true, lasting happiness. Lim is the co-founder and CEO of <a href="https://www.deliveringhappiness.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Delivering Happiness</a>, a coaching company for businesses, governments and health care systems. Together, Ahumada and Lim dissect the happiness methods in her new book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Happiness-Authentic-Leaders-Prioritize/dp/B09BBJ73V8/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&amp;keywords=Beyond+Happiness%3A+How+Authentic+Leaders+Prioritize+Purpose+and+People+for+Growth+and+Impact%2C&amp;qid=1634252139&amp;s=books&amp;sr=1-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beyond Happiness: How Authentic Leaders Prioritize Purpose and People for Growth and Impact</a>.



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/centering-purpose-and-values-with-jenn-lim/embed?style=artwork" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Centering Purpose and Values with Jenn Lim"></iframe>



Some of the things that make us happy may surprise you. According to Lim, the journey of becoming and staying happy isn’t a simple mission. It takes deep, thoughtful work.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-real-happiness-begins-with-you-look-inward">Real happiness begins with you. Look inward.</h2>



“Nurture your greenhouse as you grow others.” That’s a metaphor from Beyond Happiness that Lim uses to illustrate a timeless truth: It’s easier to help others when you help yourself first.



“Most of us have a tendency to try and take care of others,” she says. “We all want to help others in some way, and then we forget about our own greenhouse.”



You are the anchor for your happiness, and that’s why Lim wants people to take care of themselves first—to nurture their greenhouse so it can grow and expand to become a joyous ecosystem.



Like planting a garden, nurturing your metaphorical greenhouse requires digging. You will have to look deep within and uncover what’s blocking your happiness.&nbsp;



Lim says you can start by...



<ul>
<li>Understanding your highs and lows as mental triggers. What exacerbates those icky, negative emotions you don’t like to feel? What makes you feel consumed with joy? What are your strengths and weaknesses? These questions lead to better self-awareness.</li>



<li>Getting to know your psyche. Our bodies absorb years of trauma, both physical and psychological, Lim says. It helps to rewind as far back as childhood and identify beliefs that shape our thinking. Then we can decide if those beliefs still serve us or contribute to our happiness.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-establish-your-values-and-live-them-through-your-purpose">Establish your values, and live them through your purpose.</h2>



Once you’ve nurtured your greenhouse a bit, the next step is identifying your values. Because to truly find happiness, you should live in a way that allows you to express your beliefs and principles.



“A lot of people say, ‘Oh yeah, I’ve got my values down,’” Lim says. “‘I know what I live and die for.’ But when you actually go through and prioritize it, then you get a deeper understanding of who you are.”



Lim created the Greenhouse Model to help people, teams and businesses do just that. There are three parts of the model, which are what, how and who.&nbsp;



The what model asks these questions of everyone:



<ul>
<li>What are you doing that’s beyond yourself? Essentially, what is your purpose?</li>



<li>What do you believe in most as a human being?</li>



<li>What are the daily actions that will move you closer to those realities?</li>
</ul>



Once you have those answers, you can move on to how and who. Those models will help you maintain your happiness within a larger community.



“The science of happiness tells us that if we have an increased level of control, autonomy and progress—we feel like we’re moving, developing, growing and essentially connecting with one another as human beings—we can actually feel that no matter what’s going on in the world, we’re increasing elements of our fundamental happiness, sustainably,” Lim says.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-take-the-hero-s-journey">Take the hero’s journey.</h2>



Happiness is a feeling, but creating that emotion takes a fair amount of doing. That’s why focusing on yourself and your principles is vital in the quest for joy. Eventually, you will embark upon a journey that tests those beliefs, and coming out strong on the other side will create a sense of fulfillment. This is called the hero’s journey.



In Beyond Happiness, Lim shares two questions every hero should ask:&nbsp;



<ol>
<li>What’s in it for me?</li>



<li>What’s in it for all?</li>
</ol>



“We can see, clearly, the leaders who are in it for me and not for all…. It really comes back down to those leaders,” she says. “Are they going to own it? And I’m not saying you have to be in top-level positions. Every one of us can be leaders in our work and in our roles if we choose to be.”



A hero’s journey is filled with unwavering purpose, which can create mind-blowing change. Whether you’re an individual, company or nonprofit organization, such a quest has the power to create happiness for all.



Brilliant Thoughts with Tristan Ahumada is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.

Getting and staying happy is a lifelong journey that takes thoughtful work. Here’s how identifying your purpose and values advances that mission.

Getting and staying happy is a lifelong journey that takes thoughtful work. Here’s how identifying your purpose and values advances that mission. | SUCCESS

Identifying Your Purpose and Values: How to Go Beyond Happiness | SUCCESS

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Rising Above Rejection: How to Achieve a Dream That Looks and Feels Impossible

Shoba Narayan is a musical actor, which means she faces more rejection than the average person. Going from audition to audition and hearing the word no isn’t just a side effect of the business. It is the business.



But even with a career that seems impossibly hard, Narayan has credits in major productions. She has played the role of Natasha in Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, Eliza Hamilton in Hamilton, and most recently, Princess Jasmine in Aladdin—all Broadway productions and are notoriously hard to get cast in.



In this episode of Brilliant Thoughts, Narayan talks to SUCCESS People Editor Tristan Ahumada about what it takes to achieve a dream few people have reached. It typically requires three skills: removing mental limitations, believing in oneself and embracing uncertainty.



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/breaking-onto-broadway-with-shoba-narayan/embed?style=artwork" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Breaking onto Broadway with Shoba Narayan"></iframe>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-push-past-the-limitations-in-your-mind">Push past the limitations in your mind.</h2>



In high school, Narayan was used to getting the lead role in a production. College was a significant turning point in that, for the first time, starring in a play became rare. It made Narayan question her talent within the industry. Could she perform on Broadway if she wasn’t landing major roles in college?&nbsp;



“It’s a hard business to go into,” Narayan says. “There’s also an added challenge of the fact that there was no one like me in musical theater who was starring in Broadway shows—who was in the spotlight or who was there to show me my dreams were possible.”



Narayan convinced herself of two things to overcome those challenges. If you’re pursuing a dream that feels impossible, make these statements a daily manta:



<ol>
<li>“My dreams are non-negotiable.” Giving up isn’t an option when you’re invested in your goals.</li>



<li>“Finding my tribe of supporters will help me succeed.” No one builds their dream life by themselves. Lean on the people you trust to be a source of inspiration, honesty and daily grounding.</li>
</ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-know-that-the-key-to-beating-rejection-is-self-belief">Know that the key to beating rejection is self-belief.</h2>



Believing in yourself is hard. It requires you to step out on faith and embrace your success before it happens.&nbsp;



Making such a triumphant decision feels incredible, and yet nothing changes on day one. You still run the risk of failing or being rejected from a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So how does self-belief turn things around?



For Narayan, it was about releasing an energy she was holding back in her auditions. Her form of self-belief looked a lot like throwing out the rulebook and letting her raw talent shine through. It was risky, but she ended up landing her first leading role in a college play. The casting directors were so impressed that her audition song, Jessie J’s “Who You Are,” became the show’s musical finale.



“That was the moment a lot of my classmates got to see what I’m capable of doing,” Narayan says. “I was really taking ownership of what I had to offer and not hiding or pulling back.”



Narayan learned three lessons from that experience:



<ol>
<li>You need a strong dose of bravery to achieve your dreams.</li>



<li>Beautiful things happen when you trust your instincts.</li>



<li>Be fearless—even if you make a fool of yourself.</li>
</ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uncertainty-can-feel-like-a-sneaky-form-of-rejection-learn-to-adapt">Uncertainty can feel like a sneaky form of rejection; learn to adapt.</h2>



The year 2020 was a rejection of almost everything. The pandemic forced millions of people to reassess their careers, fair wages, productivity, race relations, vaccines and the global supply chain.



At the same time, everything was slowing down. And non-essential workers faced what seemed like a cosmic rejection of their livelihoods.



“I invested my whole life into [musical theater],” Narayan says. “I work on TV and film, but that was also shut down. It was a lot of waiting for some answer of how we can continue to do the work safely.”



Without much to do, Narayan accepted her fate and embraced the new normal. She looked for ways to grow in her personal life while still furthering her career. That led to several passion projects, like producing original music and co-writing a TV pilot with a friend at HBO. Eventually, she emerged from the COVID-19 lockdown with the biggest opportunity of her career, landing the role of Princess Jasmine in Aladdin.



As you chase your dreams, know that setbacks are filled with opportunities. You are given a rare period of stillness to reflect on why you do what you do, or to explore projects that enhance your career. But no matter what you choose to do, doing something productive—whether it’s rest or work—eases the sting of rejection that comes from uncertainty.



Brilliant Thoughts with Tristan Ahumada is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.

Facing rejection is a natural part of achieving big dreams. Here are three things to remember as you look for the motivation to keep striving.

Facing rejection is a natural part of achieving big dreams. Here are three things to remember as you look for the motivation to keep striving. | SUCCESS

Conquering Rejection: Achieving Impossible Dreams

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Change Isn't Just About Where You're Going But About Who You're Becoming—Here's How to Develop Your Best Identity

It’s easy to say you’re ready to change. It’s even easier to throw yourself into a self-improvement project, buying dozens of books and courses to stimulate your growth.&nbsp;



But planning your dream identity is only the first step. You can arm yourself with decades of knowledge, but you must put the lessons to work at some point. That’s what Anthony Trucks, former NFL player and best-selling author, realized in the thick of his most pressing challenges.



“I call it the epidemic of shelf-esteem…. If I do read the book or take the course, it stays on the shelf of my mind and never gets into my life,” Trucks says. “And so we wonder why only 1-3% of people actually succeed. It’s because the other ones are doing the things.”



In this episode of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/bs/podcast/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/id1562886870" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brilliant Thoughts</a>, Trucks talks to SUCCESS People Editor Tristan Ahumada about The Shift Method, a process for merging dreams with reality. Trucks’ new book, <a href="https://amzn.to/3kEExgC" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Identity Shift: Upgrade How You Operate to Elevate Your Life</a>, helps readers bridge the gap between their current selves and the person they want to become.



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/shifting-your-identity-with-anthony-trucks/embed?style=artwork" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Shifting Your Identity with Anthony Trucks"></iframe>



Want a glimpse of that magical process? Here are three things you can do to become your best self.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-create-your-zone-identity">1. Create your zone identity.</h2>



Life is easy when you’re in the zone. Traits you would typically work hard for, such as <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-art-of-true-confidence/">confidence</a> and discipline, seem to flourish effortlessly.&nbsp;



Getting into the zone is tricky, though. It feels like something that happens randomly, an existential gift you can’t predict or recreate for yourself. But that’s not entirely true. Shifting from one identity to a better one requires you to create that magic. For Trucks, that meant crafting a zone identity.



If being in the zone at work looks like <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-stay-productive-without-sacrificing-creativity/">increased productivity</a>, reaching your zone identity is like winning the game of life. It’s you at your absolute best. That’s something you can reverse-engineer if you have the right components.



“Here’s one thing that most people have,” Trucks said. “They have an idea of the dream, but they do not have a vision. It’s kind of like saying, ‘I know the city, but I don’t know the address.’ So we never put in the true destination for the place we’re actually going.”



To create a clear vision, focus on these six areas that make up your zone identity:



<ol>
<li>Beliefs</li>



<li>Thoughts</li>



<li>Actions</li>



<li>Mindset</li>



<li>Habits</li>



<li>Ego</li>
</ol>



Beliefs, thoughts and habits are core components, Trucks says. You should be really clear on how you want each one to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/3-steps-to-manifest-your-goals-in-life-yes-it-really-does-work/">manifest in your life</a>.



To start, think of someone you admire. Ideally, this person has achieved the things you want to accomplish and then some.&nbsp;



<ul>
<li>What are their beliefs?</li>



<li>How do they train their minds to think about their goals?&nbsp;</li>



<li>What have they done to reach success?&nbsp;</li>
</ul>



These questions will reveal your zone identity. Crafting that vision is like having GPS coordinates for your dream life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-give-yourself-permission-to-grow">2. Give yourself permission to grow.</h2>



Of course, having the coordinates to any location is meaningless if you don’t know where you are.&nbsp;



In terms of identity, not knowing where you are is the same as not knowing who you are. So before you can shift to your best self, it’s helpful to know the identity you’re turning away from. This usually takes <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/why-self-awareness-is-important-and-how-to-develop-it/">deep self-reflection</a>. You have to face whatever is inside of you, regardless of whether you find ugly truths or beautiful memories. Give yourself permission to confront it all.



“Permission is a hard thing,” Trucks says. “It usually means you have to go back and say, Hey, I sucked at this; I now need to get better at it. A lot of us, especially entrepreneurs, we’re supposed to be the head honchos, the big dogs. Nice shoes, clean clothes and houses. We don’t want to let anyone see us sweat. Because lo and behold, that might ruin my business. But if my business is great and my life sucks, I don’t want that.”



Remember the six components of your zone identity? For this exercise, pay close attention to number six, which is ego. If your hubris is shielding you from the truth, shifting to your best self will be impossible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-accept-feedback-when-things-go-wrong">3. Accept feedback when things go wrong.</h2>



When you have your zone identity ready to go, and your ego is in check, what’s next? According to Trucks, it’s time to live your life. Take your newfound identity out into the world, and practice it in the presence of others. Feel what it’s like to operate at your highest self.



While you’re at it, let friends and family <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/7-tips-for-giving-your-boss-feedback/">offer feedback</a>. Allow them to call you out on your mistakes so that, in real-time, you can bridge the gap between your zone identity and your current self.



After that, it’s helpful to follow up with one question.



“What will make the next moments of my life better?” Trucks asks. “It’s really clear that it’s not a question of, ‘What do I want to do next?’ It’s, ‘What will make the next moment [better]?’ Because what I want to do is very far away from what I need to do.”



In those moments, Trucks has done many things to correct his behavior. He has made apologies, <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/what-happened-when-i-tried-to-cut-the-negative-people-out-of-my-life/">cut off toxic people</a> and began serious self-work. He says it often feels like he’s acting out of character by doing hard, unnatural things. But that’s kind of the point. Acting like a different person isn’t the disaster we think it is. The real question is which character are you stepping into? Is it progressing or digressing your life?



“A lot of The Shift Method is born of those moments of the things that I did,” Trucks says. “But [asking], ‘What would I have done better or faster or simpler?’.... The identity has to match the dream. So what do I have to do?”



Brilliant Thoughts with Tristan Ahumada is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.

Have you heard of The Shift Method? According to Anthony Trucks, it’s the secret sauce to becoming your best self and achieving your wildest dreams.

Have you heard of The Shift Method? According to Anthony Trucks, it’s the secret sauce to becoming your best self and achieving your wildest dreams. | SUCCESS

Change Isn&#8217;t Just About Where You&#8217;re Going But About Who You&#8217;re Becoming—Here&#8217;s How to Develop Your Best Identity

Developing Your Best Identity: Embracing Change and Growth

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How to Assert Your Power in Difficult Situations

Did you know that there are three <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/10-powerful-ways-to-stand-up-for-yourself-in-any-situation/">misconceptions about power</a> and the people who wield it? According to Tiziana Casciaro, professor of organizational behavior at the University of Toronto, most of us buy into those myths. We promote them every time we view power as something it’s not.



Do these statements resonate with you?



<ul>
<li>Myth 1: “Power is the same as authority.”&nbsp;</li>



<li>Myth 2: “Power is dirty and in the same vein as manipulation, coercion and cunning.”</li>



<li>Myth 3: “Powerful people remain powerful in any scenario, across contexts.”</li>
</ul>



Casciaro’s research shows that none of these assumptions are true. Power shifts from person to person, so authority can’t be the only factor. We can’t blame bad decisions on our power, just our inability to use it correctly. And finally, your ability to stay in control depends on your relationship with others, which is always in flux.



In this episode of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/bs/podcast/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/id1562886870" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brilliant Thoughts</a>, Casciaro talks to SUCCESS People Editor Tristan Ahumada about the real meaning of power. They use Casciaro’s new book, <a href="https://amzn.to/3EArEMB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Power For All: How It Really Works and Why It's Everyone's Business</a> (co-authored with Julie Battilana), to explain confusing yet common power struggles.



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/understanding-power-with-tiziana-casciaro/embed?style=artwork" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Understanding Power with Tiziana Casciaro"></iframe>



If you’re an entrepreneur, you know that <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/7-ways-to-own-your-personal-power/">power is central to your success</a>. You need it to gain influence with customers, convince people to work together and more.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-but-first-what-is-power">But first, what is power?</h2>



Imagine you’re a recent college graduate who just got hired at a top company. In your first three months, you discover countless ways to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/11-game-changing-tips-for-small-business-owners/">improve the business</a>: better project management tools, ways to streamline everyone’s workflow and straightforward meeting agendas. You share those ideas with anyone who will listen, including your boss, the most powerful person in your orbit.



But your suggestions are swept under the rug. Decision-makers are listening, but they aren’t acting on your ideas like you had hoped.



It’s a common problem for <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/5-ways-to-pursue-the-job-you-want/">young professionals</a>, Casciaro says. They leave college with a wealth of ideas, and they’re excited to bring them to life. But these workers keep hearing the word no. Even when their ideas are good, they run into roadblocks in the form of other people—managers, executives and other leaders. So young professionals feel like they have no power, especially when they want promotions or raises.



But power is more complex than that. It doesn’t belong to people with fancy titles or those who have more perceived authority than you. A powerful person is someone who can <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-use-your-influence-to-help-others/">influence others</a>, regardless of social standing.



“Power, ultimately, is energy,” Casciaro says. “It’s the energy you need to move the world, to advance anything. To accomplish something, you need this energy. The moment you understand it better, you’ll be able to harness it.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-become-powerful-in-any-situation">How to become powerful in any situation</h2>



Casciaro says you become powerful the moment you have access to a resource other people crave. That could be knowledge, a social network, proximity to moral goodness—anything. So it’s not true that power only comes from money and status. Most people have some form of control, even if it’s not a life-changing amount.



That’s good news for entrepreneurs who want to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-art-of-problem-solving-4-creative-strategies-to-tackle-your-biggest-obstacles/">solve problems with unique products</a> and services. Knowingly or unknowingly, you’re asserting your power through the act of helping others.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-learn-everything-you-can-about-human-nature">1. Learn everything you can about human nature.</h3>



To become powerful, study the people around you. As Casciaro explains it, you need to know what excites people and makes their lives worth living. Try to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/4-ways-to-identify-your-ideal-client-and-prime-your-business-for-growth/">uncover their wants</a>, needs and desires so you can eventually provide one of those treasures.



“As an entrepreneur, you need, first of all, to understand human nature,” Casciaro says. “It may sound a little wishy-washy; it’s the opposite. It’s the most important tool for you to provide something people truly resonate with and that matters to them.”



Understanding human nature helps you in other areas too. You will automatically understand that sometimes you need to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/8-tried-and-true-steps-to-building-trust/">gain someone’s trust</a> before letting you into their world (or their purse/wallet). That’s why companies spend decades building an identity that feels familiar to consumers.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-follow-the-power-script-agitate-innovate-and-orchestrate">2. Follow the power script: agitate, innovate and orchestrate.</h3>



Once you understand what power is, the next challenge is learning how to wield it. Casciaro’s game plan has three ongoing steps: agitate, innovate and orchestrate.



“You have to agitate for change, you have to innovate to provide the solution to the change and you have to orchestrate by creating a coalition of all the stakeholders,” Casciaro says.



We shouldn’t go about this process alone. Casciaro says you need a team of people to fulfill those three critical roles.&nbsp;



Agitators are great spokespeople. They can present a problem in a compelling way and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-get-people-to-care-about-and-support-your-business/">get people interested</a> in a solution.&nbsp;



Innovators are all about creativity. They take a plan one step further by identifying solutions to a problem.



Orchestrators unite a team of agitators and innovators alike, organizing their efforts into one actionable movement.



Finding where you fit in can be challenging. But sometimes, it’s as easy as <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/why-you-need-to-identify-your-strengths/">knowing your strengths</a> and being willing to use them.



“What am I good at, at this point in time? Casciaro asks. “In my evolution, in my career, in my competence, what can I deliver? Put together all these resources, and change does happen—even huge change, against all odds.”



Brilliant Thoughts with Tristan Ahumada is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.

We need more than authority and lots of money to become powerful; we also need a thorough understanding of people.

We need more than authority and lots of money to become powerful; we also need a thorough understanding of people. | SUCCESS

How to Assert Your Power in Difficult Situations | SUCCESS

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Making Social Good a Habit: 3 Tips from a Professional Humanitarian

Lifestyle

Lifestyle Archives

Elevate your lifestyle for success and happiness

Making millions of dollars isn’t the <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/9-signs-youre-successful-even-if-it-doesnt-feel-like-it/">best indicator of success</a>, even if most people celebrate material gain. Success comes from giving back to others. It’s your ability to mentor that new intern, volunteer in your community or raise awareness for important causes.



Shauna Nep, vice president of philanthropy at <a href="https://scooterbraun.com/">SB Projects</a>, is an expert at creating social good. She helps recording artists like Justin Bieber and Demi Lovato <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-give-back-purposefully/">turn philanthropic ideas into full-blown initiatives</a>. To her, the definition of social good is ever-changing; you do whatever is necessary to improve life on Earth.



“Sometimes that looks like a massive concert raising millions of dollars [for a cause], and sometimes that could be checking in on a friend who I know is having a hard time,” Nep says. “So it really runs the gamut.”



In this episode of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/bs/podcast/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/id1562886870" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brilliant Thoughts</a>, SUCCESS People Editor Tristan Ahumada talks to Nep about finding and supporting the right causes. They discuss ways to focus your philanthropy and make a difference in the world.



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/amplifying-celebrity-impact-with-shauna-nep/embed?style=artwork" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Amplifying Celebrity Impact with Shauna Nep"></iframe>



Is it your goal to become a generous, impactful giver? Here are some tips from a professional humanitarian.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prioritize-your-philanthropy">Prioritize your philanthropy.</h2>



Let’s face it: An entrepreneur’s life is hectic. There are <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/11-tricks-to-actually-get-things-done-on-your-to-do-list/">countless tasks to complete</a>, and yesterday’s to-do list can spill into today’s. It’s easy to lose track of philanthropic goals when you’re working hard.



To stay on track, be flexible in your approach. Have a plan to help others while also holding space for the unexpected, such as natural disaster relief or campaigns that go viral overnight. It’s good to have plans and schedules. But when timely issues emerge, it’s OK to reset your priorities.



“If you know anything about our company, you know we do everything really big and impactful,” Nep says. “So when it comes to [philanthropy], it’s no different. There have been times when our entire company has shifted gears from releasing an album to putting on a march on Washington or putting together a benefit concert…. To be able to shift and focus toward the good is really incredible.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-create-a-plan-for-social-good">Create a plan for social good.</h2>



On the flip side, reacting to every issue can leave you feeling scattered. It’s impossible to back all the social projects out there, so don’t overextend yourself. Instead, create a self-directed plan you can follow 24/7.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-find-a-cause-that-speaks-to-you">1. Find a cause that speaks to you.</h3>



The first step is choosing a few <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/success-stories-pod/you-yes-you-can-change-the-world-4-steps-to-make-an-impact/">causes that matter to you</a>. They can be anything, as long as you’re doing something positive and feel connected to the larger mission.



Today’s biggest issues are:&nbsp;



<ul>
<li>Stopping gun violence</li>



<li><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/8-podcast-episodes-to-keep-us-learning-and-progressing-toward-racial-equality/">Dismantling racism</a></li>



<li>Ending police brutality</li>



<li>Advocating for <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/in-retirement-olympic-gold-medalist-michael-phelps-is-a-mental-health-advocate/">mental health</a></li>



<li>Expanding voting rights</li>



<li><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/11-must-have-summer-products-that-support-lgbtq-owned-businesses/">Supporting the LGBT community</a></li>
</ul>



What will you support going forward? Search deep within and examine how you feel about the issues above and other causes gaining momentum. For some people, joining an existing initiative, like the ones above, is ideal. Others find an overlooked problem and start a campaign to get people talking. It’s up to you.



“What are the issues that are really driving you and keeping you up at night?” Nep says. “What are the issues you want to focus on?”&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-use-your-strengths-to-serve-the-cause">2. Use your strengths to serve the cause.</h3>



Once you know what you’re fighting for, the next step is determining how you’ll make a difference. Do you have <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/to-be-successful-do-what-you-do-best/">unique skills</a> that leaders and organizers can put to use? If so, identify those strengths so you can work within your passion or purpose.



Could you…



<ul>
<li>Create a social campaign to drive awareness?</li>



<li>Write grant proposals for a nonprofit?</li>



<li>Use your online presence to host a digital fundraiser?</li>



<li>Cater a nonprofit event?</li>
</ul>



There’s no right or wrong answer; it just depends on your passion and how you want to express it.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-ask-for-help">3. Ask for help.</h3>



Know you aren’t the only one <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/13-ways-you-can-tap-into-your-everyday-influence-for-good/">fighting for social good</a>. Globally, there are thousands (possibly millions) of grassroots organizers with years of activism experience. Follow these leaders on social media if you’re unsure of what to do first. With a quick DM (or simply reading their tweets), you’ll learn where an initiative is headed and how you can help.



Nep does something similar for SB Projects. When she needs help with a philanthropy project, she talks to the company’s business partners. They have unique expertise that helps her organize faster.&nbsp;



“In those moments, it just expands our knowledge base because we can’t be experts on every single topic,” Nep says.



Humanitarian work is good for the soul. Sacrificing your time and energy to think of someone else, even for a day, can <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/50-ways-happier-healthier-and-more-successful-people-live-on-their-own-terms/">make you a happier person</a>. Just remember that we’re meant to thrive together, not alone. Seek out other humanitarians; make your philanthropy a group effort.



Brilliant Thoughts with Tristan Ahumada is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.

The more you accomplish, the greater your responsibility to help others. Here’s some advice from a professional humanitarian on how to give back.

The more you accomplish, the greater your responsibility to help others. Here’s some advice from a professional humanitarian on how to give back. | SUCCESS

Embedding Social Good: 3 Tips from a Humanitarian Pro

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How to Overcome Self-Doubt and Become the Hero of Your Story

Have you ever felt like you weren’t good enough? That no matter how hard you tried, you couldn’t silence the <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-combat-negative-thinking/">negative self-talk</a> that stops you from chasing your dreams? You might experience imposter syndrome, a nagging feeling that makes you doubt your abilities. Escaping that mind state isn’t easy, but millions of people have done it—and so can you. It starts with identifying who you want to be and letting go of the perfectionism crippling your journey.



In this episode of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/bs/podcast/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/id1562886870" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brilliant Thoughts</a>, SUCCESS People Editor Tristan Ahumada talks to Lisa Bilyeu, co-founder of <a href="https://www.questnutrition.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quest Nutrition</a> and host of the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeir7Wbzzfg43c1eL7PSa3g" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Women of Impact</a> show, about overcoming self-doubt. She and her husband, Tom, recently sold Quest Nutrition for $1 billion. Before that, Bilyeu overcame self-doubt to help grow the company and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/what-is-my-purpose-in-life/">find her purpose</a>.



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/be-your-own-superhero-with-lisa-bilyeu/embed?style=artwork" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Be Your Own Superhero with Lisa Bilyeu"></iframe>



You don’t reach success until you become the hero of your life. That’s what Bilyeu believes, and she made it a reality in three steps.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-envision-your-best-self">1. Envision your best self.</h2>



Bilyeu says all personal growth starts with one question: What does my best, most powerful self look like? It’s a challenging question because you can’t use someone else as a reference point. It’s not as simple as responding, “I want to be exactly like my mentor or an entrepreneur on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.” Upgrading your life is a deeply personal task. Every little tweak should be intentional enough to move you in the right direction.



Instead of modeling your life after someone else’s, identify what makes other people successful. Is it their <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/7-mental-hacks-to-be-more-confident-in-yourself/">confidence that propels them</a> forward? Do they have more discipline than the average person? Whatever those superpowers are, write them down. Keep the list close by so that each day you can work on adopting those traits.&nbsp;



In the meantime, be patient with yourself. It can take years to identify all the changes you need to make and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-change-your-habits/">master new habits</a>. No matter what happens, know that each failure—and they’re bound to happen—isn’t the end of the world. You still have time to correct those mistakes and get better each day.



“Even if you want to be a nicer person—let’s just say that to keep it easy—you don’t wake up, and all of a sudden, you’re nicer,” Bilyeu says. “It takes time, effort and energy from repetitiveness to become that.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-stop-chasing-perfection">2. Stop chasing perfection.</h2>



Did you know that <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/9-reasons-perfectionism-is-a-bad-thing/">perfectionism</a> has more to do with ego than wanting everything to be perfect? Most people know that life has its flaws. But the ego has a self-serving agenda and tries to convince us otherwise. It pushes us to believe that if we try a little harder, everything can be perfect.



It’s impossible to grow with this mindset, especially when you’re facing self-doubt. The good news? Bilyeu says you can beat perfectionism with flexibility. When she’s facing a difficult challenge, reframing the situation quells those rigid, unproductive thoughts.



“I [went] from spending two days feeling bad about myself, letting a negative voice come in and hold me back, to the point where now, in real-time, I can say, ‘How do I want to respond to this based on the person I want to be?’” Bilyeu says.



Here are four steps to reach that point:



<ol>
<li>Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Real growth happens when you’re pushed outside of your comfort zone.</li>



<li>Have a learner’s mindset. Take some pressure off of yourself by admitting that you don’t have all the answers. If you’re feeling like an imposter in a room of experts, ask questions. Give yourself permission to grow.</li>



<li>Don’t create deadlines for your growth. Becoming your best self doesn’t need to happen by a specific date. It’s a lifelong process, so focus on the journey, not the destination.</li>
</ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-manage-your-emotions">3. Manage your emotions.</h2>



Before you get stuck in feelings of self-doubt, try to regulate those emotions. When Bilyeu started helping her husband with Quest Nutrition, she constantly asked herself one question: “What are the things I need to do right now to show up?” That often meant speaking up in meetings, even when she was immobilized by fear.



“I found being in those meetings extremely detrimental to my self-esteem…. You’re in a room full of people, and you have no idea what they’re talking about, and I felt bad about myself,” Bilyeu says. “Then I said, ‘Ok, you have a choice. You can keep coming into this room feeling bad about yourself, you can stop coming into this room or you can admit that they’ve got 15 years on you, and now you can start putting your head down and learning instead of focusing on the emotion you feel badly about.’”



Another part of emotional regulation is <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/13-ways-to-take-care-of-yourself-every-day/">taking care of yourself</a>. No matter how busy you are as an entrepreneur, eating well and exercising are two ways to stay in control of your emotions. It’s hard to make good decisions when tired or hungry, so creating healthy routines is vital. Bilyeu likes to lift weights in the morning (after resting well), and she’s mindful of how certain foods affect her body.&nbsp;



Everyone has different needs, though. Be sure to learn your body so you can have an emotionally successful day, stay in control and slowly conquer the self-doubt that’s holding you back.



Brilliant Thoughts with Tristan Ahumada is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.

No matter how hard it seems, you can overcome self-doubt if you’re willing to look within and face your fears. Here are three tips to help you along the way.

No matter how hard it seems, you can overcome self-doubt if you’re willing to look within and face your fears. Here are three tips to help you along the way. | SUCCESS

How to Overcome Self-Doubt and Become the Hero of Your Story | SUCCESS

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