I can’t do it. It’s someone else’s fault. If only….I’ll never be able to. I tried that once. It didn’t work. It won’t work for me. Give me (you fill in the blanks) or else I can’t succeed.
You’ve heard all these reasons why someone can’t succeed. (Makes me depressed just reading this list.) So, it’s refreshing to hear someone speak about how to succeed—with no excuses. I don’t mean that we all don’t at times need a hand up. But, those are the few times. They don’t become our mantra.
I just watched a video where a UPS executive interviewed Magic. Here are some of Magic’s insightful comments.Dream it First to Live It
At age 16, Magic was a janitor while in school. He would go sit in the CEO’s chair and pretend he was the CEO; giving orders, making decisions, acting like a CEO. He said he always wanted to be an entrepreneur, not just a basketball player. Look what happened.
What are you dreaming? How fast do you hold onto that dream?
On Not Giving Up
As Magic transitioned from famous, successful pro basketball player to businessman, he thought his fame would magically open doors and make him successful. He found it opened doors (they all wanted to meet him), but, it didn’t get him the funding he needed to expand his business. He was turned down ten times before a bank took a chance on him.
How tenacious are you? My observation is that most of us give up just before we get success. Look at your heroes in any field. How tenacious were they?
Network and Lead Generate and Learn
Magic wanted to find out what was important to prominent people. He got the list of Lakers season ticket holders, and called up to 50 a day. Many met with him, and several became investors with him.
Are you lead generating with tenacity? Are you networking with curiosity?
Tailor to your Target
Magic was an early investor in Starbucks, and has over 125 Starbucks locations today. He met with Howard Schultz, the founder and then president, and told him he needed to tailor his Starbucks businesses to his clientele. You can imagine where Magic wanted to place his Starbucks. He told Mr. Schultz he didn’t want the music that was in most Starbucks stores. He wanted Michael Jackson, Beyonce, etc. He didn’t want scones. You get the picture.
Are you targeting your marketing to your audiences?
Hire and Work with the Best
Magic says, if you find great talent, you don’t need to micro-manage them. This comes from his experience as a basketball player.
Are you affiliating with the best? What’s your screening process to find that right person for your team?
Shine Your Light on Others to Succeed
As you help others succeed, you’ll succeed. Magic says his reason for being in business is to help others. He’s helped thousands of minority business people launch businesses. This comes, too, from his experience as a basketball player. His mentoring others resulted in more success for everyone.
Are you providing a hand up to qualified, determined talent?
Learn from Everyone
Magic believes everyone has something he can learn from. He values each person and seeks their contributions. He says he loves to learn and he’s constantly learning.
Are you learning from those you’re around? What’s your attitude about learning?
Add Value
Magic believes the secret of business success is to add value. When he meets with someone, he thinks about how he can add value for that person.
Are you adding value to those you work with, coach, or teach?
Do You Have a System to Select Team Members?
Check out Your Blueprint for Selecting Winners.
