Knowledge For Men

Freddie Achom is a Nigerian born British business man, entrepreneur, and investor who decided to follow an unconventional route by dropping out of medical school and starting his own business. Freddie founded what would be his first million dollar company, the Rosemont Group, in his early 20’s and is currently serving as Chairman of the company.

Freddie is now focused on giving back to the next generation of entrepreneurs helping young inventors, businessmen, and CEO’s acquire the capital and develop the relationships necessary for personal and professional success.

Favorite Success Quote

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage continue that counts.” ~Winston Churchill

Key Points

1. You Cannot Live Your Life for Others

Each of us have a plethora of voices vying for our attention. Our parents, friends, coworkers, and even society all tell us how we should live our lives. Although none of these voices is necessarily bad, almost none of them are looking out for our best interest.

They all want something different for our lives than we do, they want us to have security, they want us to have safety, they want us to stay on the same playing field they’re on, in short they do not want us to live the lives we were designed to live. As men, we want lives of danger, lives of risk, and above all, lives of purpose, but we cannot accomplish our purpose if we are following a plan laid out for us by someone else. We must march to our own drum and create our ideal lives, not the live’s of others.

2. Relationships Are Key to Business

Many young and aspiring entrepreneurs forget the famous saying “It’s not what you know, but who you know.” We focus on developing our skill sets, on absorbing as much knowledge as possible, we read as many books and listen to as many podcasts as is humanly possible in a single day. But we forget that first and foremost, all business is relationships.

No matter what you are building or creating, you cannot do it without creating and sustaining relationships with your customers, employees and mentors. As you begin building your knowledge and skills, remember to focus on growing your network as much as yourself.

3. Do Not Try and Scale too Quickly

Many otherwise promising businesses have failed because of  hasty growth. Do not try and force your business into its next chapter prematurely. Build your companies core values, build your brand and client base, and allow the growth to happen naturally over time.

4. Focus on the Core Values of Your Company

Instead of getting caught up in the valuation of your company or your projected growth over the next quarter, focus on the core values of your company. What are you and your business here on this earth to do? How well are you achieving this mission? Every couple of months, take time to analyze your business and the direction it is headed in, make sure that every action is in alignment with your ultimate vision for your company and your life.

5. Make Sure You Have a Large Market Disruption

Too many companies aim for small or mediocre impact within the marketplace. Set audacious goals, make it your mission to have such a huge effect on the marketplace that your niche will never be the same again after you enter. Think of companies life Google and Microsoft who have revolutionized entire industries, you must strive to have an effect on the same scale.

Regardless of whether you believe you can have an impact on the same level as these companies, companies that have defined a generation, remember the wise words of Benjamin Franklin, “I would rather aim for the stars and hit a stump than aim for a stump and miss.” Don’t aim for a stump in your life, dare mighty things, and at worse, when you fail, you will fail heroically.

6. Failure is Never Final

In the modern world, almost no failure is final. There is always a way to pick your self up by your bootstraps and get back on your feet. Think of people like Donald Trump who went $9 billion dollars in debt when the recession hit…and then paid it all back and became, once again, one of the wealthiest people in the world.

No matter how catastrophic you may feel your failure is, there is always a way to get back to the top if you are committed.

7. The Journey is More Important Than The Destination

As men who are not content with average lives, it is often very difficult to live in the now whenever our whole existences are so far below what we imagine. However, we cannot lose sight of the joy of the journey, we can’t stop enjoying the grind.

In reality the only end destination is death, enjoy the journey, because the journey is life, enjoy improving, enjoy failing, enjoy succeeding. Whatever you do, enjoy it, and enjoy it to the full, don’t wish for tomorrow, because tomorrow will bring its own challenges, live for today.

8. Understanding People is Key to Success in Business

One of the most crucial skills you can develop in your life is the ability to read and understand people. This will put you heads and shoulders above your competition in business, love, and life. Take time to study human psychology, understand what drives people to action, what holds people back.

Learn to understand what people want and to read how they react to situations and you will have yet another force multiplier in your quest for the good life.

9. You Must Balance All Pillars of Your Life

Life is short, you must never allow your desire for material success and fame to outweigh the important things in your life like family and friends. Learn to balance your life. Build your business, hustle like heck, but spend time with people in your life that are important to you, reignite old hobbies, call a friend you haven’t seen in years, in short, live life like you knew you would die tomorrow.

All the material gains in the world aren’t worth a damn when it’s all said and done, all that you will have to take with you into the great beyond are the people you loved and the lives you impacted.

10. Break The Rules

As Mark Twain so famously said “When you find yourself on the side of the majority, it’s time to pause and reflect.” No one on this site wants to be average, no one here wants to work an average dead end job for 50 years only to find they can’t retire and then continue that job until they die.

Everyone here wants to be extraordinary. But to be extraordinary sometimes means bending the rules, it means taking the path less traveled or doing the unconventional thing. Do not be a slave to tradition and “supposed to’s” create the life you want, whether it fits society’s mold or not.

Growing up in a fatherless home, Tony Little experienced significant adversity in his youth. After moving to Florida to live with his uncle, he began a career in bodybuilding winning the Mr. Florida title and being on track to win Mr. America before a tragic bus accident ended his bodybuilding career.

After a bout with depression and uncertainty, Tony decided to build a career in the fitness and advertising markets. Tony's fitness products have grossed over $3 billion with over 45 million customers. At 57 Tony is still working in the fitness advertisement industry developing new and innovative products every year.

Favorite Success Quote

"When you change your mindset, you change your life. " – Tony Little

Key Points 1. Change Your Environment Change Your Life

As a young man, Tony grew up in a small town with very few positive influences in his life. As such, he became involved with the wrong crowd at an early age experimenting with drugs and alcohol and butting heads with the law. After an unintentional GTA, his mom decided to move him to Florida to live with his uncle, and this is when his life changed.

By changing his environment, Tony was able to change his future. Regardless of your situation, there are probably some tweaks you can make in your environment to improve your life. Spend less time with unmotivated and uninspiring people, make your pantry more conducive to healthy eating, unplug your TV and buy more books, do whatever is necessary to get you to the life you want.

2. Fight Harder When Your Back is Against the Wall Life is full of adversity, always has been, always will be. But the times when it is most difficult to be on our feet are the times when we need to stand strong the most. Whatever challenges life throws at you, do not cower from them, face them and overcome them. Fight like hell and never give up, because it is often the most difficult challenges that result in the greatest rewards. 3. Never Quit Plain and simple, reaching your goals is difficult, but quitting wont make it any easier. You only have one shot at the game of life, so make it count. If you want something, fight for it, and don't stop fighting until you get it. Don't quit when you're tired, quit when you're finished. 4. Believe in Yourself Henry Ford once said "Whether you believe you can or believe you can't you are most certainly correct." Believing you can do something does not ensure success, but believing that you cannot ensures failure.

If you believe in yourself and work tirelessly to make your vision a reality, you will inevitably succeed in some manner. However, lack of belief in self will prevent you from even taking the first step toward your goals.

Growing up in a fatherless home, Tony Little experienced significant adversity in his youth. After moving to Florida to live with his uncle, he began a career in bodybuilding winning the Mr. Florida title and being on track to win Mr. America before a tragic bus accident ended his bodybuilding career.

After a bout with depression and uncertainty, Tony decided to build a career in the fitness and advertising markets. Tony’s fitness products have grossed over $3 billion with over 45 million customers. At 57 Tony is still working in the fitness advertisement industry developing new and innovative products every year.

Favorite Success Quote

“When you change your mindset, you change your life. ” – Tony Little

Key Points 1. Change Your Environment Change Your Life  

As a young man, Tony grew up in a small town with very few positive influences in his life. As such, he became involved with the wrong crowd at an early age experimenting with drugs and alcohol and butting heads with the law. After an unintentional GTA, his mom decided to move him to Florida to live with his uncle, and this is when his life changed.

By changing his environment, Tony was able to change his future. Regardless of your situation, there are probably some tweaks you can make in your environment to improve your life. Spend less time with unmotivated and uninspiring people, make your pantry more conducive to healthy eating, unplug your TV and buy more books, do whatever is necessary to get you to the life you want.

  2. Fight Harder When Your Back is Against the Wall   Life is full of adversity, always has been, always will be. But the times when it is most difficult to be on our feet are the times when we need to stand strong the most. Whatever challenges life throws at you, do not cower from them, face them and overcome them. Fight like hell and never give up, because it is often the most difficult challenges that result in the greatest rewards.   3. Never Quit   Plain and simple, reaching your goals is difficult, but quitting wont make it any easier. You only have one shot at the game of life, so make it count. If you want something, fight for it, and don’t stop fighting until you get it. Don’t quit when you’re tired, quit when you’re finished.   4. Believe in Yourself   Henry Ford once said “Whether you believe you can or believe you can’t you are most certainly correct.” Believing you can do something does not ensure success, but believing that you cannot ensures failure.

 

If you believe in yourself and work tirelessly to make your vision a reality, you will inevitably succeed in some manner. However, lack of belief in self will prevent you from even taking the first step toward your goals.

Jeff Hoffman is a successful entrepreneur, proven CEO, worldwide motivational speaker, published author, Hollywood film producer, and a producer of a Grammy-winning jazz album in 2015. He has been the founder of multiple startups, has been the CEO of both public and private companies, and has served as a senior executive in many capacities. Jeff has been part of a number of well-known companies, including Priceline.com. uBid.com, ColorJar, and more.

Jeff serves on the boards of companies in the US, Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia, supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses in more than 150 countries. He also serves on the boards of Global Entrepreneurship Week and The Unreasonable Group. He supports the White House, the US State Department, the United Nations, and foreign governments on economic growth initiatives and entrepreneurship.

Jeff is a frequent keynote speaker, having been invited to speak in over 50 countries, on the topics of innovation, entrepreneurship, and business leadership. He is the co-author of the book SCALE, a how-to guide for growing your business. Jeff also teaches innovation workshops to major corporations on a regular basis. Jeff is a featured business expert seen on Fox News, Fox Business, CNN, CNN International, Bloomberg News, CNBC, ABC, and NPR, and in publications including Forbes, Inc., Time, Fast Company, the Wall Street Journal, and more

Key Points

1. Don't Fear Failure... Fear Not Trying

Failure is an inevitable part of life.

Most of us spend our whole lives trying to escape and avoid it when we should be running towards it.

We've been taught our whole lives that failure is somehow a bad thing, that it means you aren't a "real" man, or that you aren't good enough.

In reality, failure is simply feedback.

Instead of running from failure, embrace it.

Learn to fear not trying instead of failing.

... When you fail, you grow, you learn, and you improve.

When you allow your fear of failure to control your actions you end up paralyzed and never take action.

As a result, you stagnate, burn out, and eventually die with your best work inside of you.

2. Follow your Curiosity and Ignore the Labels

It's easy to allow your label to control you.

Think about it...

How many times have you thought to yourself

"Wow, I'd love to dive into real estate investing, but I'm in IT, I can't do that"

Or

"I would really enjoy learning how to dance the Tango, but I'm a powerlifter so that'll never happen"

Or even...

"I'd really love to produce an album but I'm a marketing guy... That's not really my style"

We get so caught up in our own labels that we prevent ourselves from pursuing our deepest passions and curiosity.

Remember:

You are a learning machine... Not an occupation.

Just because you make money in a certain way or have been in a specific niche for a long time doesn't mean that you can't learn new skills.

... It doesn't mean that you can't pursue new hobbies, passions, and businesses.

As Joseph Campbell says, "Follow your bliss".

Pursue what makes you curious, no matter how odd or out of character it may seem.

At the end of the day, the person who wins at life is the person who leaves it all on the field.

So stop holding back from life because your interests don't conform to your label.

3. Stick to One Pursuit at a Time

Although it's important that you have a wide variety of interests and hobbies to pursue, it's even more important that you understand how to successfully pursue each interest.

How do you do this?

... One at a time.

Although Jeff has a wide variety of achievements and accolades ranging from the transportation business to the music & film industry to consulting and keynote speaking, he didn't try to accomplish all of these things at once.

He devoted himself single-mindedly to each task for a period of 3-5 years.

In your own life, you can do anything that you want.

But you must learn to focus on only one thing at a time...

As the old adage goes, "The fox who chases two rabbits catches none."

Pick one passion, define what constitutes "success" with regards to that passion, pursue it single-mindedly until you achieve your goal an then move on.

4. Eradicate Your Fear of Failure with This Simple Exercise

If you are afraid of failure, then listen up.

I'm about to share a fool proof strategy to eradicate your fear and move forward with your life.

Are you ready?

Then here it is...

Anytime you are afraid of failing, dive into your failure.

Ask yourself "What will happen if I fail and how can I recover?"

For example, if you are considering starting a new business and you fail miserably, what will actually happen?

... And more importantly, how can you minimize the damage?

If you fail at the entrepreneurial endeavor you can:

• Move back in with your parents
• Get a 9-5 corporate job for 6-12 months
• Save every penny that you can
• Try again

When you break it down, it doesn't seem so scary, right?

The concept of failure is often more terrifying than failure itself.

When you look at the reality of your situation, you will quickly realize that you can overcome any setback with relative ease and quickly get back on your feet if things go South.

So feel the fear.

Figure out your escape plan.

And then take action.

5. Begin with the End in Mind

One of the biggest mistakes that most entrepreneurs make is that they begin without a clear end goal in mind.

They set all of these wild goals and ambitions but never really know where the path is ultimately going to take them.

Before you set out to achieve anything, you need to begin with the end in mind.

What counts as success?

What counts as failure?

What quantifiable metrics can you use to determine whether or not you've achieved success?

When you have a clear end game in mind, the day to day tasks of pursuing a goal becomes much simpler.

You know exactly what you need to do, what you need to avoid, and how you can expedite the path to your goal.

Take some time to sit down after listening to this interview and write out answers to the following:

What does success look like in my:

• Relationships
• Finances
• Career
• Personal development
• Physical health
• Spirituality

When you know exactly what you are trying to get out of life, life has a way of helping you succeed.

Begin with the end in mind and your path to success will be far smoother and simpler.

6. Make People Understand Your "Why"

Oftentimes, as men, we get so caught up in our careers and finances that we can neglect important relationships and connections in our life.

One of the reasons that this is so easy to do is that we understand the bigger picture and just assume that everyone else in our life understands it as well.

We think to ourselves, "I'm working this hard for my family, for my community, and for our future... Surely they understand".

But we never actually take the time to sit the important people down and help them understand why we are pushing so hard.

Your wife and kids probably don't know why you are always at the office.

They assume that work is more important than they are and that you'd rather work than spend time with them.

Even when this isn't the case...

As such, it's important that you sell your proverbial "Board of Directors" (the important people in your life) on the "Why" of what you're doing.

Why are you working so hard to build this business or advance your career?

Is it to...

• Retire early
• Pay for your kid's college
• Take your wife on a 3 year round the world trip
• Get out of debt and have the money to work less than 10 hours a week
• Enjoy a better quality of life
• Give back to your community and make a real difference

Why are you doing what you're doing?

Once you have the answer for yourself, share it with the important people in your life.

More often than not, they will understand and rally to help you.

7. Ideas are Welcomed, Execution is Worshiped

Simply put, ideas are great but execution is where the magic happens.

You can think and come up with ideas all day long.

But if you don't get your butt out of the chair and make moves to achieve your goals, you will remain stuck exactly where you are.

Execution is everything.

Without the grit and determination to take action and make things happen, you will never succeed.

Become a master action taker and the world is yours.

8. Your Success is Someone Else's Miracle

We live in such a guilt ridden society that it can be easy to get trapped in the mindset that success is dirty.

... It's easy to believe that making money is wrong and that you should give away all of your surplus.

But this is a false concept.

The more successful you are, the more power and influence you can exert to help others.

When you have millions of dollars in the bank, it's much easier to make a difference when disaster strikes.

When you have vibrant physical health, it's much easier to help others overcome their own challenges.

When you are successful, you can show up as a miracle in someone else's life.

If you want to make a real difference in the world, then success is your duty and obligation.

Forget what you've been told...

Becoming successful doesn't make you greedy or power hungry.

It gives you the ability to make a difference.

9. What is Enough?

In pursuit of any goal, whether its...

• Financial success
• Career success
• Marriage
• Physical health
• Travel & Adventure
• Or fame

You must know when enough is enough.

When can you call it quits and move on to the next goal or activity?

If you don't have a clear end game in mind, it's easy to get caught in the comparison trap and waste your life constantly trying to compete with other people and buy the biggest boat, fastest car, or most luxurious mansion in town.

Ask yourself...

"What do I really need to be happy and feel fulfilled?"

There's no right answer for everyone, but the more clearly you can figure out what you need to be happy, the easier it will be to achieve it.

Forget keeping up with the Joneses and showing off on Instagram .

Figure out what brings you joy and makes you feel fulfilled and then go achieve it.

Jeff Hoffman is a successful entrepreneur, proven CEO, worldwide motivational speaker, published author, Hollywood film producer, and a producer of a Grammy-winning jazz album in 2015. He has been the founder of multiple startups, has been the CEO of both public and private companies, and has served as a senior executive in many capacities. Jeff has been part of a number of well-known companies, including Priceline.com. uBid.com, ColorJar, and more.

Jeff serves on the boards of companies in the US, Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia, supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses in more than 150 countries. He also serves on the boards of Global Entrepreneurship Week and The Unreasonable Group. He supports the White House, the US State Department, the United Nations, and foreign governments on economic growth initiatives and entrepreneurship.

Jeff is a frequent keynote speaker, having been invited to speak in over 50 countries, on the topics of innovation, entrepreneurship, and business leadership. He is the co-author of the book SCALE, a how-to guide for growing your business. Jeff also teaches innovation workshops to major corporations on a regular basis. Jeff is a featured business expert seen on Fox News, Fox Business, CNN, CNN International, Bloomberg News, CNBC, ABC, and NPR, and in publications including Forbes, Inc., Time, Fast Company, the Wall Street Journal, and more

Key Points

1. Don't Fear Failure... Fear Not Trying 

Failure is an inevitable part of life. 

Most of us spend our whole lives trying to escape and avoid it when we should be running towards it. 

We've been taught our whole lives that failure is somehow a bad thing, that it means you aren't a "real" man, or that you aren't good enough. 

In reality, failure is simply feedback. 

Instead of running from failure, embrace it. 

Learn to fear not trying instead of failing. 

... When you fail, you grow, you learn, and you improve. 

When you allow your fear of failure to control your actions you end up paralyzed and never take action. 

As a result, you stagnate, burn out, and eventually die with your best work inside of you. 

2. Follow your Curiosity and Ignore the Labels 

It's easy to allow your label to control you. 

Think about it... 

How many times have you thought to yourself

"Wow, I'd love to dive into real estate investing, but I'm in IT, I can't do that" 

Or 

"I would really enjoy learning how to dance the Tango, but I'm a powerlifter so that'll never happen" 

Or even...

"I'd really love to produce an album but I'm a marketing guy... That's not really my style"

We get so caught up in our own labels that we prevent ourselves from pursuing our deepest passions and curiosity. 

Remember:

You are a learning machine... Not an occupation. 

Just because you make money in a certain way or have been in a specific niche for a long time doesn't mean that you can't learn new skills. 

... It doesn't mean that you can't pursue new hobbies, passions, and businesses. 

As Joseph Campbell says, "Follow your bliss". 

Pursue what makes you curious, no matter how odd or out of character it may seem. 

At the end of the day, the person who wins at life is the person who leaves it all on the field. 

So stop holding back from life because your interests don't conform to your label. 

3. Stick to One Pursuit at a Time 

Although it's important that you have a wide variety of interests and hobbies to pursue, it's even more important that you understand how to successfully pursue each interest. 

How do you do this? 

... One at a time. 

Although Jeff has a wide variety of achievements and accolades ranging from the transportation business to the music & film industry to consulting and keynote speaking, he didn't try to accomplish all of these things at once. 

He devoted himself single-mindedly to each task for a period of 3-5 years. 

In your own life, you can do anything that you want. 

But you must learn to focus on only one thing at a time...

As the old adage goes, "The fox who chases two rabbits catches none."

Pick one passion, define what constitutes "success" with regards to that passion, pursue it single-mindedly until you achieve your goal an then move on. 

4. Eradicate Your Fear of Failure with This Simple Exercise 

If you are afraid of failure, then listen up. 

I'm about to share a fool proof strategy to eradicate your fear and move forward with your life. 

Are you ready? 

Then here it is... 

Anytime you are afraid of failing, dive into your failure. 

Ask yourself "What will happen if I fail and how can I recover?"

For example, if you are considering starting a new business and you fail miserably, what will actually happen? 

... And more importantly, how can you minimize the damage? 

If you fail at the entrepreneurial endeavor you can:

• Move back in with your parents 
• Get a 9-5 corporate job for 6-12 months
• Save every penny that you can
• Try again

When you break it down, it doesn't seem so scary, right? 

The concept of failure is often more terrifying than failure itself. 

When you look at the reality of your situation, you will quickly realize that you can overcome any setback with relative ease and quickly get back on your feet if things go South. 

So feel the fear. 

Figure out your escape plan. 

And then take action. 

5. Begin with the End in Mind 

One of the biggest mistakes that most entrepreneurs make is that they begin without a clear end goal in mind. 

They set all of these wild goals and ambitions but never really know where the path is ultimately going to take them. 

Before you set out to achieve anything, you need to begin with the end in mind. 

What counts as success? 

What counts as failure?

What quantifiable metrics can you use to determine whether or not you've achieved success? 

When you have a clear end game in mind, the day to day tasks of pursuing a goal becomes much simpler. 

You know exactly what you need to do, what you need to avoid, and how you can expedite the path to your goal. 

Take some time to sit down after listening to this interview and write out answers to the following:

What does success look like in my:

• Relationships 
• Finances
• Career
• Personal development
• Physical health 
• Spirituality 

When you know exactly what you are trying to get out of life, life has a way of helping you succeed. 

Begin with the end in mind and your path to success will be far smoother and simpler. 

6. Make People Understand Your "Why" 

Oftentimes, as men, we get so caught up in our careers and finances that we can neglect important relationships and connections in our life. 

One of the reasons that this is so easy to do is that we understand the bigger picture and just assume that everyone else in our life understands it as well. 

We think to ourselves, "I'm working this hard for my family, for my community, and for our future... Surely they understand".

But we never actually take the time to sit the important people down and help them understand why we are pushing so hard. 

Your wife and kids probably don't know why you are always at the office. 

They assume that work is more important than they are and that you'd rather work than spend time with them. 

Even when this isn't the case... 

As such, it's important that you sell your proverbial "Board of Directors" (the important people in your life) on the "Why" of what you're doing. 

Why are you working so hard to build this business or advance your career? 

Is it to... 

• Retire early 
• Pay for your kid's college
• Take your wife on a 3 year round the world trip
• Get out of debt and have the money to work less than 10 hours a week 
• Enjoy a better quality of life
• Give back to your community and make a real difference

Why are you doing what you're doing? 

Once you have the answer for yourself, share it with the important people in your life. 

More often than not, they will understand and rally to help you. 

7. Ideas are Welcomed, Execution is Worshiped 

Simply put, ideas are great but execution is where the magic happens. 

You can think and come up with ideas all day long. 

But if you don't get your butt out of the chair and make moves to achieve your goals, you will remain stuck exactly where you are. 

Execution is everything. 

Without the grit and determination to take action and make things happen, you will never succeed. 

Become a master action taker and the world is yours. 

8. Your Success is Someone Else's Miracle 

We live in such a guilt ridden society that it can be easy to get trapped in the mindset that success is dirty. 

... It's easy to believe that making money is wrong and that you should give away all of your surplus. 

But this is a false concept. 

The more successful you are, the more power and influence you can exert to help others. 

When you have millions of dollars in the bank, it's much easier to make a difference when disaster strikes. 

When you have vibrant physical health, it's much easier to help others overcome their own challenges. 

When you are successful, you can show up as a miracle in someone else's life. 

If you want to make a real difference in the world, then success is your duty and obligation. 

Forget what you've been told... 

Becoming successful doesn't make you greedy or power hungry. 

It gives you the ability to make a difference. 

9. What is Enough?

In pursuit of any goal, whether its...

• Financial success
• Career success
• Marriage 
• Physical health 
• Travel & Adventure
• Or fame

You must know when enough is enough. 

When can you call it quits and move on to the next goal or activity? 

If you don't have a clear end game in mind, it's easy to get caught in the comparison trap and waste your life constantly trying to compete with other people and buy the biggest boat, fastest car, or most luxurious mansion in town. 

Ask yourself...

"What do I really need to be happy and feel fulfilled?"

There's no right answer for everyone, but the more clearly you can figure out what you need to be happy, the easier it will be to achieve it. 

Forget keeping up with the Joneses and showing off on Instagram .

Figure out what brings you joy and makes you feel fulfilled and then go achieve it. 

RJ Mitte is an American actor and producer most widely known for his role as Walter Jr. on the AMC series Breaking Bad. RJ started his acting career at 13 despite suffering from Cerebral Palsy, and has actually learned to use his disability as an advantage in securing movie and TV parts. RJ is currently in the process of auditioning around the country for his next role.

Favorite Success Quote

"Find your niche" – Mother

Key Points

1. Look at your disabilities as a strength

At a very young age, RJ has created a successful career in one of the toughest industries in the world by using his disadvantages as a strength. Despite suffering from CP, Rj has been able to seek out niche roles playing characters with similar disabilities.

We often find ourselves using our past, current circumstances or upbringing as an excuse for why we cannot achieve greatly, however, no excuse is valid, and the career that RJ has been able to create for himself is a testament to what can happen in your life when you forgo excuses in favor of action.

2. You must stand up for yourself

The world is full of people who are complacent and subservient to others. They allow life, society, a spouse, a friend or any number of external influences to walk all over them and their dreams. You must take control of your own life, and stand up for yourself, stop taking crap from other people and make sure that your voice is heard.

3. Make the most of the time you have

Despite its negative connotation, there is great truth in the phrase "YOLO," you only live once. Do not see this as a green light to live lives of debauchery and frivolity, rather see this as a challenge, a challenge to make the most of the limited time that you have on this earth.

You only get one chance to make a difference, you only get one chance to touch lives, you only get one chance to leave a legacy that will ring through the ages, and you only get one chance to make sure that your life is worth something. You only live once, don't waste it.

RJ Mitte is an American actor and producer most widely known for his role as Walter Jr. on the AMC series Breaking Bad. RJ started his acting career at 13 despite suffering from Cerebral Palsy, and has actually learned to use his disability as an advantage in securing movie and TV parts. RJ is currently in the process of auditioning around the country for his next role.

Favorite Success Quote

“Find your niche” – Mother

Key Points

1. Look at your disabilities as a strength

At a very young age, RJ has created a successful career in one of the toughest industries in the world by using his disadvantages as a strength. Despite suffering from CP, Rj has been able to seek out niche roles playing characters with similar disabilities.

We often find ourselves using our past, current circumstances or upbringing as an excuse for why we cannot achieve greatly, however, no excuse is valid, and the career that RJ has been able to create for himself is a testament to what can happen in your life when you forgo excuses in favor of action.

2. You must stand up for yourself

The world is full of people who are complacent and subservient to others. They allow life, society, a spouse, a friend or any number of external influences to walk all over them and their dreams. You must take control of your own life, and stand up for yourself, stop taking crap from other people and make sure that your voice is heard.

3. Make the most of the time you have

Despite its negative connotation, there is great truth in the phrase “YOLO,” you only live once. Do not see this as a green light to live lives of debauchery and frivolity, rather see this as a challenge, a challenge to make the most of the limited time that you have on this earth.

You only get one chance to make a difference, you only get one chance to touch lives, you only get one chance to leave a legacy that will ring through the ages, and you only get one chance to make sure that your life is worth something. You only live once, don’t waste it.

Aaron Lamont Curry is the author of "This is Why You're Single" a relationship and personal growth book that focuses on helping individuals to examine themselves and their beliefs about dating and relationships so that they can better understand the reasons they are struggling to find love. Aaron is currently traveling the country, speaking on relationships, and writing his next book in the "why you're single" series.

Favorite Success Quote

"Don't give your heart to anyone just to have someone." – Anonymous

Key Points

1. Don't settle for less than you deserve

It is so easy to settle for sub par relationships (both romantic and otherwise) because you do not want to face the discomfort of loneliness. It's easy to justify staying with someone despite low class behaviors, just because you don't want to go through the pain of singleness.

If you want to achieve great things in your life, in your business, and in your relationships, you must realize that you cannot settle for less than you deserve. You are the average of the people with whom you associate most, and this applies doubly to romantic relationships.

If you are dating someone with no drive, ambition or common values, you are setting yourself up for failure. Make the decision to raise your standards, only allow relationships that are edifying, that add value to your life, and that move your dreams forward. .

2. The simple actions make all the difference

The majority of men today have lost the art of chivalry. Simple things that show you love and respect a woman are no longer practiced, or if they are, they are done in a manipulative way to try and achieve a desired outcome (typically sex). If you want to be a man who stands out in the crowd, do the simple actions to show women that you care.

Open doors, walk on the side closest to the street, offer her your coat if she is cold, be a gentleman. This doesn't just apply to women you are dating either, display this type of respect and humility whether the woman is a Victoria's Secret model or an elderly lady crossing the street. Women will notice, and you will be a better man because of it.

3. Take the appropriate steps in relationships

It is all too easy to rush a relationship just for the sake of a relationship. However, if you want lasting love, take your time. Don't decide you want to marry the girl before you even meet her. Date for a while before you start moving things along, hold off on the sex until you decide whether this is the kind of girl that you want to be with for more than a night, take it slow.

Women will respect this, and it will save you a ton of pain and heartache in the long run.

4. Don't get into a relationship for sex

Simple but profound, as the old saying goes, "Don't buy a ring for what you can buy on the street." Sex is never a good reason to date or marry someone.

5. Ask the right question to find the right answer

When we examine our lives, especially the lack of certain things in our lives, we often ask the wrong questions. We ask "why" we are single instead of asking "what" we are doing that has kept us single, we ask questions that allow us to answer with cop outs and justifications instead of getting to the root of the issue. Start improving the quality of your questions and your life will improve with them.

6. You miss 100% of the shots you do not take

Life is too short to always live in fear. Do not allow the fear of failure to hold you back from becoming the man you want to become, because the truth is, inaction is the greatest failure of all. You will never achieve anything if you do not first try, even if you only succeed by 1% that is still 1% more than you could have achieved without taking action. Feel the fear, and do it anyways.

Aaron Lamont Curry is the author of “This is Why You’re Single” a relationship and personal growth book that focuses on helping individuals to examine themselves and their beliefs about dating and relationships so that they can better understand the reasons they are struggling to find love. Aaron is currently traveling the country, speaking on relationships, and writing his next book in the “why you’re single” series.

Favorite Success Quote

“Don’t give your heart to anyone just to have someone.” – Anonymous

Key Points

1. Don’t settle for less than you deserve

It is so easy to settle for sub par relationships (both romantic and otherwise) because you do not want to face the discomfort of loneliness. It’s easy to justify staying with someone despite low class behaviors, just because you don’t want to go through the pain of singleness.

If you want to achieve great things in your life, in your business, and in your relationships, you must realize that you cannot settle for less than you deserve. You are the average of the people with whom you associate most, and this applies doubly to romantic relationships.

If you are dating someone with no drive, ambition or common values, you are setting yourself up for failure. Make the decision to raise your standards, only allow relationships that are edifying, that add value to your life, and that move your dreams forward. .

2. The simple actions make all the difference

The majority of men today have lost the art of chivalry. Simple things that show you love and respect a woman are no longer practiced, or if they are, they are done in a manipulative way to try and achieve a desired outcome (typically sex). If you want to be a man who stands out in the crowd, do the simple actions to show women that you care.

Open doors, walk on the side closest to the street, offer her your coat if she is cold, be a gentleman. This doesn’t just apply to women you are dating either, display this type of respect and humility whether the woman is a Victoria’s Secret model or an elderly lady crossing the street. Women will notice, and you will be a better man because of it.

3. Take the appropriate steps in relationships

It is all too easy to rush a relationship just for the sake of a relationship. However, if you want lasting love, take your time. Don’t decide you want to marry the girl before you even meet her. Date for a while before you start moving things along, hold off on the sex until you decide whether this is the kind of girl that you want to be with for more than a night, take it slow.

Women will respect this, and it will save you a ton of pain and heartache in the long run.

4. Don’t get into a relationship for sex

Simple but profound, as the old saying goes, “Don’t buy a ring for what you can buy on the street.” Sex is never a good reason to date or marry someone.

5. Ask the right question to find the right answer

When we examine our lives, especially the lack of certain things in our lives, we often ask the wrong questions. We ask “why” we are single instead of asking “what” we are doing that has kept us single, we ask questions that allow us to answer with cop outs and justifications instead of getting to the root of the issue. Start improving the quality of your questions and your life will improve with them.

6. You miss 100% of the shots you do not take

Life is too short to always live in fear. Do not allow the fear of failure to hold you back from becoming the man you want to become, because the truth is, inaction is the greatest failure of all. You will never achieve anything if you do not first try, even if you only succeed by 1% that is still 1% more than you could have achieved without taking action. Feel the fear, and do it anyways.

Brian has always had an itch for adventure. He served in the U.S. Navy as an Air Rescue Swimmer, he has summited 6 of the 7 major peaks in the world including Mount Everest, which, after a solo ascent, he was forced to descend blind due to faulty goggles causing snow blindness. Brian wrote the book "Blind Descent" based off of the events and lessons learned from his time at Everest and is currently training to summit the last of the seven peaks

Favorite Success Quote

"Get busy living or get busy dying" – Shawshank Redemption

Key Points

1. Live as a Doer, Not a Sayer

Life is full of sayers. People who say they will lose weight, say they will start saving more than they spend or say they will start that business they have been talking about for years. But they never follow through. They are relegated to lives of menial existences, filled with mediocre intentions and non existent actions.

As men who want to be more than average, as men who want to create a life worth living, we must become doers. Don't say you're going to start a business, do it. Don't say you're going to start working out, do it. Let your actions speak so loud that you don't need to say a thing.

2. Evaluate Every Situation

As men (especially younger men) we are often prone to haste, because quite frankly, waiting sucks. As guys, if we're going to do something, we don't want to wait, we don't want to weigh different courses of action and examine the possible consequences. And this is when we get into trouble.

This is how businesses fail, how sexual mistakes are made, and how dreams are broken. We must learn to pause before taking action and evaluate. Ask ourselves what the consequences of our actions will be and determine the best possible way to proceed.

3. Don't Over-think Things

Often just as easy as not thinking at all is over-thinking situations to the point of insanity. If we go out and get a cute girl's number, we will sit for hours trying to think of the perfect line to text her, stewing over every single word instead of sending a simple "hey." We often obsess over minutiae instead of focusing on the big picture.

As Einstein once said "Make things simpler, but not simpler than they need to be." Don't over-analyze, pause, take stock and execute.

4. Take Life One Step at a Time

As men who are driven and ambitious, it is easy to live in the future, focusing on steps that are light years away. We think about the color of the flowers we will have at our wedding, before we even say hello to the girl. We think about how we will invest our income from our next venture, before we even know what that venture will be.

We think about pretty much anything, except the thing right in front of us. Like Brian did while descending Everest blind, we need to slow down and take things one step at a time. Face each challenge as it presents itself and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.