Business is the ultimate sport. In business, as in sport, the one thing you can control is effort.
Don’t start a company unless it’s an obsession and something you love. If you have an exit strategy, it’s not an obsession.
It’s not in the dreaming, it’s in the doing.
It’s not about money or connections. It’s the willingness to outwork and outlearn everyone.
I was lucky. I grew up knowing that hard work and smart work have a greater impact on results than being passionate about something.
Find something you love to do. If you don’t make money at it, at least you love going to work.
Never follow your dreams. Follow your effort. It’s not about what you can dream of. That’s easy. It’s about whether or not it’s important enough to you to do the work to be ready to be successful in that business.
I’d rather be tired than broke!
If there was a template for success in sports, everyone would follow it. You do the best you can and trust the people you trust.
I think political people are afraid of me.
You never quite know in business if what you are doing is the right or the wrong thing. Unfortunately, by the time you know the answer, someone has beaten you to it and you are out of business.
I’m the type that thinks if you don’t learn from history, you’re doomed to repeat it.
Recessions are the best time to start a company. Companies fail. Others hold back capital. If you are willing to do the preparation and work, it is the best time to invest in yourself and start a business.
Time is the most valuable asset you don’t own.
Know your core competencies and focus on being great at them. Pay up for people in your core competencies. Get the best. Outside the core competencies, hire people that fit your culture but aren’t as expensive to pay.
Investors don’t care about your dreams and goals. They love that you have them. They love that you are motivated by them. Investors care about how they are going to get their money back and then some. Family cares about your dreams. Investors care about money.
Effort is measured by setting goals and getting results.
Everyone has got the will to win; it’s only those with the will to prepare that do win.
In sports, the only thing a player can truly control is effort. The same applies to business. The only thing any entrepreneur, salesperson or anyone in any position can control is their effort.
Know your core competencies and focus on being great at them.
It’s not whom you know. It’s not how much money you have. It’s very simple. It’s whether or not you have the edge and have the guts to use it.