Shawne Merriman, nicknamed “Lights Out”, is a former American football player who was a linebacker in the NFL from 2005 to 2012. He was among the top linebackers in the NFL in his first three seasons with the San Diego Chargers, where he was a three-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection.

Merriman was drafted 12th overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 2005 NFL Draft. He earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in his first season and recorded 39 1⁄2quarterback sacks in his first three seasons

Favorite Success Quote

“Keep working and everything else will fall into place”

Key Points

1. Don’t Do Anything Unless You Want to be Great 

We live in a world that is filled with mediocrity.

People are willing to simply show up, do the bare minimum, and then head off.

This cannot be you.

If you want to succeed at life and live with passion, fulfillment, and joy, then you need to only do things if you want to be great.

Don’t compete to be good, compete to be the best.

2. There is Always Light at the End of the Tunnel 

No matter how difficult your life is right now, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

We all struggle through hard times, some of us more so than others. Just remember that this too will end and when you push through it, it will be better on the other side.

3. Get Out of Your Own Way

If you want to succeed, then you need to drop your ego and get out of your own way.

Be willing to take advice, listen to mentors who are wiser than you, get out of your comfort zone and be willing to take the action necessary to succeed.

4. Hustle Like You’ve Never Achieved Success

No matter how successful you are, you need to keep hustling like you have never even tasted success.

It doesn’t matter whether you are a multi-millionaire, a titan of your industry, or the leader in your field, the day you stop hustling is the day that you die.

5. Remember the Babysteps

Whenever you are stuck in life and feel like you cannot move forward, you need to remember to focus on the babysteps.

If you are struggling to bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be, then take a step back and focus on the small things.

Just lay 4-5 bricks a day in your business, health, wealth, and relationships and one year from now, you will have built yourself an incredible home.