Russ Whitney overcame a difficult childhood and went on to build a solid, successful life as a family man, civic leader, self-made millionaire, philanthropist, best-selling author, mentor and businessperson.
An entertaining and inspirational speaker, Russ Whitney has shared the stage with some of the world’s most respected motivational and entrepreneurial thought leaders, including the late Lady Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s first female prime minister; former U.S. Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton; as well as well-known figures such as the late Zig Ziglar, Tony Robbins and others. The message Whitney now shares goes beyond motivation – he delivers a life-changing action plan that has positively impacted millions of people.
Favorite Success Quote“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he”- Proverbs 23 7
Key Points1. It’s About Impact. Not Income
Most of us get into our chosen fields and professions for the money.
Sure, there are some of you reading this who are exceptions, who genuinely want to serve.
But most of us? We are, first and foremost, focused on the money.
However, as you continue through life you will realize that making an impact always trumps the income.
If you can change someone’s life, if you can transform someone’s reality, if you can make a dent in their universe, then the money becomes secondary.
Don’t get me wrong.
Money is great, and the more of it that we have, the more we can use it to serve others.
But as you look to expand yourself and your business, pause and realize that true wealth comes from the impact that we have on others, not the income that we create for ourselves.
2. You Cannot Run on Self Will Alone
Our willpower is finite.
If you have big, audacious goals and you are trying to achieve them based entirely on your willpower alone, you are going to fail.
Because you do not have a big enough “why.”
You don’t have something bigger than yourself that is driving you.
Success at the highest level requires a commitment to something greater than just your own desires and selfless wants.
Success at the highest levels requires a deep source of motivation that goes beyond the finite reserve of willpower that each of us possess.
If fast cars, big houses, and hot models are your only motivators, you will eventually burn out and fail.
Because quite simply, those things are not worth the effort that you will be required to put forth.
But if your motivation is deeper, if your “why” is derived from a desire to serve, a desire to make an impact, and a desire to leave a legacy, you will be able to push through the tiring times, the rejections, and the pain.
So go deeper and find what really motivates you to get to the next level.
3. Understand the Power or Humility
Humility is at the root of all greatness.
Yes, you need to have borderline insane levels of self-confidence.
Yes, you must love yourself at a level 10.
Yes, you must have a delusional level of self-belief to achieve your goals.
But…
You must also be humble.
You must be willing to learn, grow, and take advice.
Because the simple truth of the matter is this, you don’t know everything.
You need other people who can help you succeed on your journey.
You need to be willing to put your own ego aside and serve others first.
You need to be willing to occasionally shut up, quit talking, and just listen.
And always remember, no matter how successful you are, there is always another level.
Stay humble, stay foolish ~Steve Jobs
4. If You Don’t Control Your Emotions You Will Fail
One of the biggest keys to success is the optimization and mastery of your emotional control.
You must be able to control your thoughts, feelings, and actions regardless of the circumstance if you want to succeed at any high levels.
When you lose your temper, lash out in anger, take action without contemplation, or start to envy the possessions and success of others, you lose your power.
If you cannot control your emotions, you cannot control anything.
The only thing over which we have absolute power is our mind.
That’s it.
And the second that you forfeit that power and allow external circumstances and other people to take control, your life will nose dive into a downward spiral until you crash and burn.
5. Struggles Are a Gift in Disguise
Every struggle, every bad circumstance, and every challenge is a gift in disguise.
Life is a constant struggle.
That’s just the way that it is.
You must understand that these struggles are always meant to teach us something.
They are meant to help us grow, to help us break through, and to elevate our lives to new heights.
Joy and passion come from overcoming and breaking through obstacles that you once thought impassable.
So stop fretting about struggles and challenges in your life and start getting excited.
The more struggles you face, the more opportunities you will have to truly prove what you are made of and take your life to a whole new level.
