Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Get the hell out of Hell



There are times in every entrepreneur's career when they feel like they can't do it anymore and they can't handle the hell they are going through. Winston Churchill said it best that "if you're going through hell, keep going." The only way to get out of the rutt you are stuck in, is to keep on trucking and moving past the point of pain. There are many successful entrepreneurs that have contemplated giving up right before making their breakthrough. If they did give up and stopped what they were doing, we probably would have never heard of them. Remember that the hell you are going through is not permanent and it is in your control to maneuver out of it.

Monday, October 27, 2014

Success is an iceberg, people only see the tip

 
I've talked to famous athletes and a lot of them have said the same thing to me about their success. People and fans only see what they do on the field, court, etc. and do not know that getting to that platform took countless hours. Success takes a huge amount commitment and sacrifice that only shows up when the work has been done. Next time you see your favorite athlete on TV or see a successful colleague, remember that what you are seeing is the pay off for all the hours of hard work that has gone unnoticed. People usually see the tip of the iceberg, but rarely see what makes the tip. 
 

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

I'm not afraid to die on a treadmill - Will Smith


Will Smith is one of my favorite actors. I have been following him since his rapping days with DJ Jazzy Jeff. His success has always inspired me and gives me faith that working harder than the next guy will bring you success in the long run. Will's quote above reminds me of the Ethan Hawke movie, Gattaca. In the movie, Ethan Hawke's character races his genetically enhanced brother in a swimming contest and beats him by "never sav[ing] anything for the swim back." Will Smith will not be beat when it comes to preparing for the big stage and neither should you.    

- Nasir Shakouri

Friday, October 17, 2014

Plan A


Plenty of people try to plan their lives and get upset when their plans do not go according to their...plans. Remember that there are always options and to never give up. Many successful people I know have failed in some aspect of their lives, but they did not let that failure bring them down. Try and try again, because the alphabet has 25 more letters.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Why do we put up with the pain?


A friend of mine just forwarded me this inspiring picture. The message rings true and anyone who has been working on themselves knows that it can be painful. Going to the gym may feel like hell sometimes, but the after effects really make you appreciate the hard work. Anyone that has their own business can probably attest to this quote as well. Just remember that there is a reason to the suffering and that each day you work harder, you are getting closer to your goal. Let's all remind ourselves that without suffering, there can be no change.

Monday, October 13, 2014

Success isn't owed, it's leased


JJ Watt is slowly becoming one of my favorite players in the NFL. His work ethic and approach to the game is really inspiring. I like the quote because it reminds me to work harder as success isn't guaranteed to stick around. I believe that sitting on your laurels makes you slower and lazier, which gives your smaller competitors time to catch up to you. We should all remember JJ Watt when we feel that we are doing well in our field. Work hard even when you are doing well.

Friday, October 10, 2014

D is for dedication


This Indian teacher swims through a river to get to school. The dedication that this man shows to his students is very inspiring and everyone should strive to be as dedicated to their craft. How many of us would go through the trouble of swimming across a river everyday?

Dedication is a big ingredient for success. When the going gets tough, remember that this man swims across a river to get to work. His students are very lucky.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Are you a boss or leader?


I just saw this image and it really illustrates the difference between a real leader and someone that wants to be a boss. A leader leads his or her team, whether in business, battle, sports, etc. A boss is someone that uses their position to direct others to do the hard work. I hope the people in my office see me as a leader and not as just a boss.