Attitude #11 – Associations. Your associations will guarantee your success or failure. There’s no in between. You’re either in or out strictly depending on who you surround yourself with on a daily basis. Self-made millionaires surround themselves with positive, like-minded champions that encourage and empower them.
I recently heard an interview with one of the world’s most prosperous men, and he said that his circle of influence has been limited to five people from the very beginning of his company. Why? Because he knows how his associations will make or break him and his business. If there is someone in your life that is keeping you from achieving your Why, then it’s time for you to make the decision to get away from them.
Attitude #12 – Perfect Practice. One of the old sayings that really irritates me is “practice makes perfect.” When in reality, perfect practice makes perfect. You can continue to do things over and over and over to reach your goal, but if you aren’t effectively and efficiently doing your best every single time, then why try at all? That only leads to the defeated mindset and excuse of – “I tried and tried but I ultimately failed.”
No, I’m not saying that you must be perfect in everything that you do, but I am telling you that you need to do your very best in everything you do no matter what it is. Self-made millionaires always give their very best no matter the outcome of the situation.
Attitude #13 – Process. In our microwave society, everyone is always looking for instant gratification. They want everything NOW no matter how they get it. Self-made millionaires know that success is a process. It takes time to build a rock-solid foundation and find your Why in life. If your success is not built on a strong foundation, then it will crumble and fall.
I’ve seen that happen to many people that have tried to rush the success process. I constantly tell my coaching students that success is a two to five year process. Yes, it is frustrating at times, but avoid the shortcuts and enjoy the process of building your millionaire future.
Attitude #14 – Warning Signs. Self-made millionaires are always laser focused on their businesses and watch for warning signs of any type of crack in their foundation that could jeopardize their success. You must always be on watch! The enemy of fear, doubt and procrastination are out to steal your dreams so you must watch for the warning signs to avoid those kinds of distractions in your life.
You must also watch out for the naysayers that do not empower you and don’t want you to succeed. The warning signs are jealously and negativity. These people simply don’t support you and don’t want to see you succeed. Just like a Navy Seal sniper, you must remain laser-focused on your enemy at all times and watch for the warning signs that the enemy is about to attack your dream.
Attitude #15 – Fun. Yes, fun! Self-made millionaires know how to have fun! There are times in business to be serious, but you must also allow yourself to enjoy your success journey. Other people will notice that you are enjoying your life and want to be part of your journey too. These people make up your Mastermind Team. They encourage you and stay positive despite the adversity that you will face on your road to success.
My team and I always have fun especially when we travel to foreign countries, and I take on the accent of the locals. You can only imagine how crazy my New York accent sounds in places like the Dominican Republic, London and Australia! Seems silly, but you wouldn’t believe how much laughing and smiling increases your zest for life and your actual ability to achieve the level of success that you desire.
Attitude #16 – Listening. Actively listening to your clients, customers and colleagues will radically take your business to the next level. Self-made millionaires understand the importance of listening and have the ability to develop long-term relationships with their customers because they listened to them. This is contrary to most people, especially those in sales that never shut up! They are constantly talking, usually about nothing, and don’t invest time in actually listening to their clients.
I know you’ve likely been in that same position. I know I have, and I simply refuse to do business with people like that. Rearrange the letters in the word listen and you have silent. Imagine having Dumbo ears as you sit with a closed mouth and listen to your customers. Your business will explode!
Attitude #17 – Vicious Beauty. I actually learned this attitude from the Navy SEALs that refer to Hell Week as vicious beauty. Vicious because they know the absolutely excruciating pain that they will endure through Hell Week, but on the flip side they will have the most beautiful experience in the world when they receive their Navy SEAL trident. Self-made millionaires also know firsthand the vicious beauty of being successful; however, they are willing to pay the price for their dream. Will you face vicious adversity to experience the beauty of achieving your Why in life?
Attitude #18 – Internal Clarity. My team and I have been blessed to travel the world. One thing that I always wondered is how the pilots of the airplanes that took us around the globe were able to stay focused for great lengths of time and take on the responsibility of hundreds of lives soaring thousands of feet above ground. What I didn’t know was that pilots must maintain strict health regimens for their careers and often have health screenings to clear them of any issue that could have an effect on their ability to fly the aircraft. Now, that’s what I call internal clarity.
I couldn’t see it on the outside of the hundreds of pilots that I’ve met, but their focus on their health gave them the internal clarity to protect me and my team during our flights. Internal clarity for many people is not only their health, but also their ability to remain absolutely focused on achieving their Why in life despite the adversity that they are facing, especially when lives depend on it. Your legacy depends on your internal clarity, so make sure that you are laser-focused and disciplined as you achieve your status as a self-made millionaire.
Attitude #19 – Roots. Have you ever heard the saying, “The root will determine the fruit?” For example if you plant a watermelon seed, the roots will develop, vines will spring up above ground and a watermelon will grow. Similarly, if you plant seeds of greatness in your life, then you will reap a bountiful harvest.
If you plant seeds of greed, then you will also reap what you sow. Just take a look at Bernie Madoff and other scam artists that started out building a solid business, but made the conscious decision somewhere along the way to financially ruin the lives of others through their greed. When these types of people get caught in the act of deception, their roots are revealed.
The outstanding news is that the roots of good, honest, hard-working self-made millionaires are also revealed through their success, love for their family and dedication to their Why. Make the decision today to only plant seeds that will cause healthy roots to hold your success firmly in place as you forge forward towards the achievement of your Why.
Attitude #20 – Honor. Self-made millionaires walk in honor. Honor basically means to respect. Honor your Why, your dream, your family, your associations and every other part of your success journey. One of the most important things to honor is your word. If you say that you will do something, then do it. If you say that you won’t do something, then don’t. Seems easy, but so many people do not honor their word and ruin their reputation forever. Make the decision to be an honorable man or woman that respects your ability to become successful and achieve your dreams.
In September 2001, John Di Lemme founded Di Lemme Development Group, Inc., a company known worldwide for its role in expanding the personal development industry. As President and CEO, John strives for excellence in every area of his business and believes that you must surround yourself with a like-minded team in order to stay on top of your game.
In addition to building a successful company, John has changed lives around the globe as an international motivational speaker that has spoken in over five hundred venues. Over the past thirteen years, he has shared the stage with the best of the best including Rich Devos, Denis Waitley, Jim Rohn, and Les Brown only to name a few. This is truly an amazing feat for someone that was clinically diagnosed as a stutterer at a very young age and told that he would never speak fluently.
John truly believes that everyone needs personal development to reach their full potential in life, and his determination to reach all forms of media with his motivational messages has catapulted his career. John has produced over four hundred fifty products and is an accomplished author of thirteen books including his best-selling book, “47 Secrets of Extreme Customer Service.” As a Strategic Business Coach and Small Business Expert, John’s students include doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, consultants, CEOs of million dollar companies, and various other occupations that are thriving in a so-called poor economy. John’s success with his students has made him one of the most highly sought after business coaches in the world.
John’s passion is to teach others how to live a champion life despite the label that society has placed on them. Through his books, audio/video materials, sold-out live seminars, numerous television interviews, intensive training boot camps, weekly tele-classes, Strategic Business Coaching, Closing & Marketing University, Millionaire Affirmation Academy, Small Business Motivational Marketing Daily Tip, and Lifestyle Freedom Club memberships, John has made success a reality for thousands worldwide.