hello believe nation I started the meant to me series with the goal to learn from
to me series with the goal to learn from
to me series with the goal to learn from people who’ve done more than us to hang
people who’ve done more than us to hang
people who’ve done more than us to hang around them just a little bit longer and
around them just a little bit longer and
around them just a little bit longer and hope some of their ideas mindsets way of
hope some of their ideas mindsets way of
hope some of their ideas mindsets way of thinking seeps into us to help us be the
thinking seeps into us to help us be the
thinking seeps into us to help us be the best version of ourselves so today we’re
best version of ourselves so today we’re
best version of ourselves so today we’re going to learn from Chris Gardner on
going to learn from Chris Gardner on
going to learn from Chris Gardner on staying motivated as Chris is talking if
staying motivated as Chris is talking if
staying motivated as Chris is talking if he says helping that really inspires you
he says helping that really inspires you
he says helping that really inspires you leave it in the comments below and put
leave it in the comments below and put
leave it in the comments below and put quotes around that so that other people
quotes around that so that other people
quotes around that so that other people can be inspired as well I was mentioned
can be inspired as well I was mentioned
can be inspired as well I was mentioned spiritual genetics to Oprah Winfrey and
spiritual genetics to Oprah Winfrey and
spiritual genetics to Oprah Winfrey and a conversation and she calls me the very
a conversation and she calls me the very
a conversation and she calls me the very next day as she asked what have you been
next day as she asked what have you been
next day as she asked what have you been reading I’ve never heard about that
reading I’ve never heard about that
reading I’ve never heard about that I had to tell her I haven’t been reading
I had to tell her I haven’t been reading
I had to tell her I haven’t been reading I’ve been writing as a matter of fact
I’ve been writing as a matter of fact
I’ve been writing as a matter of fact that’s the subject of my my new book
that’s the subject of my my new book
that’s the subject of my my new book that I’m working on right now we all
that I’m working on right now we all
that I’m working on right now we all understand genetics you’re going to get
understand genetics you’re going to get
understand genetics you’re going to get your mother’s eyes your father’s nose
your mother’s eyes your father’s nose
your mother’s eyes your father’s nose and there’s nothing that you could do
and there’s nothing that you could do
and there’s nothing that you could do about it but the spirit of who you’re
about it but the spirit of who you’re
about it but the spirit of who you’re going to become as a man or a woman I
going to become as a man or a woman I
going to become as a man or a woman I believe that you can choose it is indeed
believe that you can choose it is indeed
believe that you can choose it is indeed biblical scripture tells us that we are
biblical scripture tells us that we are
biblical scripture tells us that we are all born with a spirit that allows us to
all born with a spirit that allows us to
all born with a spirit that allows us to embrace God whatever you perceive God to
embrace God whatever you perceive God to
embrace God whatever you perceive God to be well that same spirit can be beamed
be well that same spirit can be beamed
be well that same spirit can be beamed down at the darkness I don’t know how
down at the darkness I don’t know how
down at the darkness I don’t know how many of you all read my first book the
many of you all read my first book the
many of you all read my first book the pursuit of happiness but those of you
pursuit of happiness but those of you
pursuit of happiness but those of you who did you met my stepfather and they
who did you met my stepfather and they
who did you met my stepfather and they were full who will say I could have
were full who will say I could have
were full who will say I could have become him I could have become another
become him I could have become another
become him I could have become another alcoholic wife-beating child abuse an
alcoholic wife-beating child abuse an
alcoholic wife-beating child abuse an illiterate loser and a lot of people
illiterate loser and a lot of people
illiterate loser and a lot of people would have said well look where he’s
would have said well look where he’s
would have said well look where he’s from he didn’t have a choice
from he didn’t have a choice
from he didn’t have a choice well I did have a choice I saw the light
well I did have a choice I saw the light
well I did have a choice I saw the light and my mother and then others with whom
and my mother and then others with whom
and my mother and then others with whom I did not share a single drop of blood
I did not share a single drop of blood
I did not share a single drop of blood and I embraced it as jarring and strange
and I embraced it as jarring and strange
and I embraced it as jarring and strange as change can be there were times when
as change can be there were times when
as change can be there were times when it was hard to imagine that my life
it was hard to imagine that my life
it was hard to imagine that my life would be what it is today
would be what it is today
would be what it is today especially the time when my son and I
especially the time when my son and I
especially the time when my son and I were living in that bathroom
were living in that bathroom
were living in that bathroom maybe remember that scene in the movie
maybe remember that scene in the movie
maybe remember that scene in the movie there was a highly polished sheet metal
there was a highly polished sheet metal
there was a highly polished sheet metal piece over a sink it wasn’t a mirror but
piece over a sink it wasn’t a mirror but
piece over a sink it wasn’t a mirror but it served as a mirror and I had to wash
it served as a mirror and I had to wash
it served as a mirror and I had to wash myself in that baby every day watch my
myself in that baby every day watch my
myself in that baby every day watch my baby in this sink and had to ask myself
baby in this sink and had to ask myself
baby in this sink and had to ask myself some very predictable questions what
some very predictable questions what
some very predictable questions what happened why did this happen why did
happened why did this happen why did
happened why did this happen why did that happen but the most difficult
that happen but the most difficult
that happen but the most difficult question I had to get through was how
question I had to get through was how
question I had to get through was how did I get here and the answer was even
did I get here and the answer was even
did I get here and the answer was even more brutal the answer was I drove here
more brutal the answer was I drove here
more brutal the answer was I drove here I had something to do with it you can’t
I had something to do with it you can’t
I had something to do with it you can’t change something until you own it so if
change something until you own it so if
change something until you own it so if you’re 50 plus and you’re sitting out
you’re 50 plus and you’re sitting out
you’re 50 plus and you’re sitting out there and pointing fingers at other
there and pointing fingers at other
there and pointing fingers at other people you can do that for a long time
people you can do that for a long time
people you can do that for a long time but it’s hard to look at the mirror and
but it’s hard to look at the mirror and
but it’s hard to look at the mirror and say how did I get here and have the
say how did I get here and have the
say how did I get here and have the answer be I drove here I had something
answer be I drove here I had something
answer be I drove here I had something to do with it
to do with it
to do with it it’s uncomfortable to admit that well I
it’s uncomfortable to admit that well I
it’s uncomfortable to admit that well I made some bad decisions I made some
made some bad decisions I made some
made some bad decisions I made some investments I shouldn’t have made I had
investments I shouldn’t have made I had
investments I shouldn’t have made I had something to do with it well that man
something to do with it well that man
something to do with it well that man sold me that house for no money down I
sold me that house for no money down I
sold me that house for no money down I should have told him what he could do at
should have told him what he could do at
should have told him what he could do at that house uh-huh
that house uh-huh
that house uh-huh when I signed that adjustable-rate
when I signed that adjustable-rate
when I signed that adjustable-rate mortgage we all know these things only
mortgage we all know these things only
mortgage we all know these things only adjust upwards no one’s ever going to
adjust upwards no one’s ever going to
adjust upwards no one’s ever going to call you and say guess what
call you and say guess what
call you and say guess what you go pay less for your money your
you go pay less for your money your
you go pay less for your money your house next year and go happen so the
house next year and go happen so the
house next year and go happen so the idea of I drove here is empowering
idea of I drove here is empowering
idea of I drove here is empowering because the other side of it is if I
because the other side of it is if I
because the other side of it is if I drove here that means I can drive out of
drove here that means I can drive out of
drove here that means I can drive out of here I have to own it in that bathroom I
here I have to own it in that bathroom I
here I have to own it in that bathroom I finally had to understand what my mama
finally had to understand what my mama
finally had to understand what my mama used to say to me where she would say
used to say to me where she would say
used to say to me where she would say boy to Calvary is not coming ain’t no
boy to Calvary is not coming ain’t no
boy to Calvary is not coming ain’t no backup I was 28 years old when that part
backup I was 28 years old when that part
backup I was 28 years old when that part of my life happened change was coming
of my life happened change was coming
of my life happened change was coming fast and you know what changes
fast and you know what changes
fast and you know what changes everywhere all the time
everywhere all the time
everywhere all the time social change technical logical change
social change technical logical change
social change technical logical change and the most potent of all personal
and the most potent of all personal
and the most potent of all personal change the most urgent question today is
change the most urgent question today is
change the most urgent question today is not so much as one of my value
not so much as one of my value
not so much as one of my value and who are we the urgent question on
and who are we the urgent question on
and who are we the urgent question on these times of constant changes how
these times of constant changes how
these times of constant changes how exactly are you going to navigate these
exactly are you going to navigate these
exactly are you going to navigate these new realities put another way what are
new realities put another way what are
new realities put another way what are you going to do probably my favorite
you going to do probably my favorite
you going to do probably my favorite scene from that whole movie directly
scene from that whole movie directly
scene from that whole movie directly related to education it was not written
related to education it was not written
related to education it was not written as you saw it the scene I’m referring to
as you saw it the scene I’m referring to
as you saw it the scene I’m referring to is the scene that took place on the
is the scene that took place on the
is the scene that took place on the basketball court our writer had a very
basketball court our writer had a very
basketball court our writer had a very dim dark view of the world and when the
dim dark view of the world and when the
dim dark view of the world and when the little boy said his dream was I’m going
little boy said his dream was I’m going
little boy said his dream was I’m going to become a ballplayer the father said
to become a ballplayer the father said
to become a ballplayer the father said forget that it had never happened I
forget that it had never happened I
forget that it had never happened I couldn’t do it so you can’t do it I went
couldn’t do it so you can’t do it I went
couldn’t do it so you can’t do it I went up the Will Smith on the set that day
up the Will Smith on the set that day
up the Will Smith on the set that day and I said you can’t tell that to that
and I said you can’t tell that to that
and I said you can’t tell that to that little boy because that’s not what my
little boy because that’s not what my
little boy because that’s not what my mother told me you can’t tell him what
mother told me you can’t tell him what
mother told me you can’t tell him what he cannot do we tore up this grip and
he cannot do we tore up this grip and
he cannot do we tore up this grip and what we wrote was and I’ve heard from so
what we wrote was and I’ve heard from so
what we wrote was and I’ve heard from so many parents and especially parents of
many parents and especially parents of
many parents and especially parents of children with special needs I’ve heard
children with special needs I’ve heard
children with special needs I’ve heard from so many parents every day I tell my
from so many parents every day I tell my
from so many parents every day I tell my son I tell my daughter every day don’t
son I tell my daughter every day don’t
son I tell my daughter every day don’t ever let somebody else tell you what you
ever let somebody else tell you what you
ever let somebody else tell you what you can’t do when somebody else is saying
when somebody else is saying something
when somebody else is saying something can’t be done which you got to hear them
can’t be done which you got to hear them
can’t be done which you got to hear them saying as they can’t do it as a young
saying as they can’t do it as a young
saying as they can’t do it as a young guy 23 years of age I had the
guy 23 years of age I had the
guy 23 years of age I had the opportunity of a lifetime I had a chance
opportunity of a lifetime I had a chance
opportunity of a lifetime I had a chance to go to work for and become the protege
to go to work for and become the protege
to go to work for and become the protege of one of the top young heart surgeons
of one of the top young heart surgeons
of one of the top young heart surgeons in the country his name is dr. Robert
in the country his name is dr. Robert
in the country his name is dr. Robert Ellis we both met while we were in the
Ellis we both met while we were in the
Ellis we both met while we were in the military I was a u.s. Navy hospital
military I was a u.s. Navy hospital
military I was a u.s. Navy hospital corpsman I was 23 years old single no
corpsman I was 23 years old single no
corpsman I was 23 years old single no children I had a chance to move to San
children I had a chance to move to San
children I had a chance to move to San Francisco California I took the job for
Francisco California I took the job for
Francisco California I took the job for $7,500 a year dr. Ellis and I worked
$7,500 a year dr. Ellis and I worked
$7,500 a year dr. Ellis and I worked together for four years
together for four years
together for four years we co-authored and published numerous
we co-authored and published numerous
we co-authored and published numerous articles at major scientific journals
articles at major scientific journals
articles at major scientific journals about this time I met fell in love with
about this time I met fell in love with
about this time I met fell in love with moving in with and had a child with this
moving in with and had a child with this
moving in with and had a child with this beautiful woman who had just graduated
beautiful woman who had just graduated
beautiful woman who had just graduated from the University of California dental
from the University of California dental
from the University of California dental school becoming a parent for me was the
school becoming a parent for me was the
school becoming a parent for me was the most important precious and loving thing
most important precious and loving thing
most important precious and loving thing I’ve ever been a part of in my life I
I’ve ever been a part of in my life I
I’ve ever been a part of in my life I was one of those little boys who grew up
was one of those little boys who grew up
was one of those little boys who grew up without a father and not just without a
without a father and not just without a
without a father and not just without a father
father
father but with a stepfather who was fine too
but with a stepfather who was fine too
but with a stepfather who was fine too reminded me every day I ain’t your daddy
reminded me every day I ain’t your daddy
reminded me every day I ain’t your daddy you ain’t got no daddy sometimes putting
you ain’t got no daddy sometimes putting
you ain’t got no daddy sometimes putting a 12-gauge shotgun right here just to
a 12-gauge shotgun right here just to
a 12-gauge shotgun right here just to make his point I didn’t know what a
make his point I didn’t know what a
make his point I didn’t know what a commitment was but I knew what a promise
commitment was but I knew what a promise
commitment was but I knew what a promise was and I promised myself as a five year
was and I promised myself as a five year
was and I promised myself as a five year old boy when I grow up become a man and
old boy when I grow up become a man and
old boy when I grow up become a man and have children my children going to know
have children my children going to know
have children my children going to know where their father is so when I became a
where their father is so when I became a
where their father is so when I became a parent there wasn’t just some biological
parent there wasn’t just some biological
parent there wasn’t just some biological extension of the bloodline there was a
extension of the bloodline there was a
extension of the bloodline there was a whole lot of stuff came with that I had
whole lot of stuff came with that I had
whole lot of stuff came with that I had worked my way up to the top of the pay
worked my way up to the top of the pay
worked my way up to the top of the pay scale at the University I’m now making
scale at the University I’m now making
scale at the University I’m now making seventeen thousand five hundred dollars
seventeen thousand five hundred dollars
seventeen thousand five hundred dollars a year my ex had not passed her boards
a year my ex had not passed her boards
a year my ex had not passed her boards she couldn’t practice and we got a baby
she couldn’t practice and we got a baby
she couldn’t practice and we got a baby we’re a young family I had to forget
we’re a young family I had to forget
we’re a young family I had to forget about a possible career in science I had
about a possible career in science I had
about a possible career in science I had to forget about maybe becoming a
to forget about maybe becoming a
to forget about maybe becoming a physician I got to take care of a family
physician I got to take care of a family
physician I got to take care of a family I got a real job I went into sales I
I got a real job I went into sales I
I got a real job I went into sales I went to work for a distributor of
went to work for a distributor of
went to work for a distributor of scientific products the computer
scientific products the computer
scientific products the computer industry was in its infancy 40 miles
industry was in its infancy 40 miles
industry was in its infancy 40 miles south of San Francisco down on the
south of San Francisco down on the
south of San Francisco down on the peninsula we move across the bay to
peninsula we move across the bay to
peninsula we move across the bay to Berkeley California to save money
Berkeley California to save money
Berkeley California to save money it meant the nightmare of a commute but
it meant the nightmare of a commute but
it meant the nightmare of a commute but you do what you got to do but I was now
you do what you got to do but I was now
you do what you got to do but I was now making twenty five thousand dollars a
making twenty five thousand dollars a
making twenty five thousand dollars a year and I thought man we could be okay
year and I thought man we could be okay
year and I thought man we could be okay big guys and the business that I was in
big guys and the business that I was in
big guys and the business that I was in at that time big guys in that business
at that time big guys in that business
at that time big guys in that business made $80,000 a year we had this one guy
made $80,000 a year we had this one guy
made $80,000 a year we had this one guy I’ll never forget him his name was Ramos
I’ll never forget him his name was Ramos
I’ll never forget him his name was Ramos and he used to walk like he was the NBC
and he used to walk like he was the NBC
and he used to walk like he was the NBC Peacock just because he made 80 grand a
Peacock just because he made 80 grand a
Peacock just because he made 80 grand a year and I remember thinking man 80
year and I remember thinking man 80
year and I remember thinking man 80 grand I want to walk like that but one
grand I want to walk like that but one
grand I want to walk like that but one day I happen to be a one of my accounts
day I happen to be a one of my accounts
day I happen to be a one of my accounts San Francisco General Hospital where
San Francisco General Hospital where
San Francisco General Hospital where there’s never any place to park I see
there’s never any place to park I see
there’s never any place to park I see something that’s the beginning of my
something that’s the beginning of my
something that’s the beginning of my life changing I don’t even know it I see
life changing I don’t even know it I see
life changing I don’t even know it I see a guy that is absolutely the sharpest
a guy that is absolutely the sharpest
a guy that is absolutely the sharpest guy I’d ever seen in my life no flash no
guy I’d ever seen in my life no flash no
guy I’d ever seen in my life no flash no BS just sharp and he was driving this
BS just sharp and he was driving this
BS just sharp and he was driving this gorgeous red for Rory
gorgeous red for Rory
gorgeous red for Rory slowly circling the parking lot looking
slowly circling the parking lot looking
slowly circling the parking lot looking for some place to park I go up to the
for some place to park I go up to the
for some place to park I go up to the guy and I say hey man I’m coming out you
guy and I say hey man I’m coming out you
guy and I say hey man I’m coming out you can have my parking place but I got to
can have my parking place but I got to
can have my parking place but I got to ask you two questions the two questions
ask you two questions the two questions
ask you two questions the two questions were what do you do and how do you do
were what do you do and how do you do
were what do you do and how do you do that turns out this guy’s a stockbroker
that turns out this guy’s a stockbroker
that turns out this guy’s a stockbroker and not just a stockbroker he’s one of
and not just a stockbroker he’s one of
and not just a stockbroker he’s one of the top institutional sales people on
the top institutional sales people on
the top institutional sales people on Wall Street and he makes $80,000 a month
Wall Street and he makes $80,000 a month
Wall Street and he makes $80,000 a month now I’m not the smartest guy in this
now I’m not the smartest guy in this
now I’m not the smartest guy in this room but I’m pretty good with some
room but I’m pretty good with some
room but I’m pretty good with some numbers bo
numbers bo
numbers bo I figured that out one guys walking
I figured that out one guys walking
I figured that out one guys walking around like the NBC Peacock the other
around like the NBC Peacock the other
around like the NBC Peacock the other guy was rolling like a rock star I knew
guy was rolling like a rock star I knew
guy was rolling like a rock star I knew what I wanted to do I started spending a
what I wanted to do I started spending a
what I wanted to do I started spending a lot of time with this guy in his office
lot of time with this guy in his office
lot of time with this guy in his office downtown San Francisco learning what a
downtown San Francisco learning what a
downtown San Francisco learning what a stockbroker does when I was supposed to
stockbroker does when I was supposed to
stockbroker does when I was supposed to be 40 miles away selling scientific
be 40 miles away selling scientific
be 40 miles away selling scientific equipment a couple of things happening
equipment a couple of things happening
equipment a couple of things happening simultaneously number one I began to
simultaneously number one I began to
simultaneously number one I began to accumulate a huge amount of parking
accumulate a huge amount of parking
accumulate a huge amount of parking tickets double parking illegal parking
tickets double parking illegal parking
tickets double parking illegal parking late to feed a meter number to every
late to feed a meter number to every
late to feed a meter number to every place I went to interview I heard the
place I went to interview I heard the
place I went to interview I heard the same word no no no no from my ex at home
same word no no no no from my ex at home
same word no no no no from my ex at home I heard a couple of other words I
I heard a couple of other words I
I heard a couple of other words I remember them all so I believe they were
remember them all so I believe they were
remember them all so I believe they were delusional and unrealistic she had a
delusional and unrealistic she had a
delusional and unrealistic she had a point major Wall Street firms have begun
point major Wall Street firms have begun
point major Wall Street firms have begun to require an MBA just to get into their
to require an MBA just to get into their
to require an MBA just to get into their institutional training programs I had
institutional training programs I had
institutional training programs I had never gone to college didn’t mean I
never gone to college didn’t mean I
never gone to college didn’t mean I wasn’t smart didn’t mean I wasn’t bright
wasn’t smart didn’t mean I wasn’t bright
wasn’t smart didn’t mean I wasn’t bright I just didn’t have a college degree but
I just didn’t have a college degree but
I just didn’t have a college degree but I kept coming back I interviewed for a
I kept coming back I interviewed for a
I kept coming back I interviewed for a year I’ve been asked many times you
year I’ve been asked many times you
year I’ve been asked many times you interviewed for a year to get a trainee
interviewed for a year to get a trainee
interviewed for a year to get a trainee slot with no guarantee do you think it
slot with no guarantee do you think it
slot with no guarantee do you think it was racism no absolutely not
was racism no absolutely not
was racism no absolutely not there’s another ISM something called
there’s another ISM something called
there’s another ISM something called places ‘im think about it I had never
places ‘im think about it I had never
places ‘im think about it I had never gone to college did not come from a
gone to college did not come from a
gone to college did not come from a politically connected family had no
politically connected family had no
politically connected family had no money of my own to invest in the stock
money of my own to invest in the stock
money of my own to invest in the stock market whose going to do business with
market whose going to do business with
market whose going to do business with you does place ISM that could affect
you does place ISM that could affect
you does place ISM that could affect anybody in this room but I kept coming
anybody in this room but I kept coming
anybody in this room but I kept coming back and I kept coming back for one
back and I kept coming back for one
back and I kept coming back for one reason for four year of interviews and
reason for four year of interviews and
reason for four year of interviews and that one reason was my mother I had one
that one reason was my mother I had one
that one reason was my mother I had one of those old-fashioned mothers who
of those old-fashioned mothers who
of those old-fashioned mothers who taught me from the very beginning that I
taught me from the very beginning that I
taught me from the very beginning that I could do or be anything I wanted to do
could do or be anything I wanted to do
could do or be anything I wanted to do it be apparently I took it too far
it be apparently I took it too far
it be apparently I took it too far I made up my mind my first ambition in
I made up my mind my first ambition in
I made up my mind my first ambition in life I was going to become Miles Davis
life I was going to become Miles Davis
life I was going to become Miles Davis mama said I could be anybody
mama said I could be anybody
mama said I could be anybody I chose miles I studied music music
I chose miles I studied music music
I chose miles I studied music music theory
theory
theory I played trumpet for nine years I got
I played trumpet for nine years I got
I played trumpet for nine years I got pretty good people would ask me as a
pretty good people would ask me as a
pretty good people would ask me as a little boy what you’re going to be when
little boy what you’re going to be when
little boy what you’re going to be when you grow up ma’am I’m gonna be Miles
you grow up ma’am I’m gonna be Miles
you grow up ma’am I’m gonna be Miles Davis my mom heard me said one time too
Davis my mom heard me said one time too
Davis my mom heard me said one time too many we sat down one day at the kitchen
many we sat down one day at the kitchen
many we sat down one day at the kitchen table and we had what I called the talk
table and we had what I called the talk
table and we had what I called the talk and she explained to me she says baby
and she explained to me she says baby
and she explained to me she says baby you’re pretty good with that thing but
you’re pretty good with that thing but
you’re pretty good with that thing but you can’t be Miles Davis eight but one
you can’t be Miles Davis eight but one
you can’t be Miles Davis eight but one and he got that job and when your mom
and he got that job and when your mom
and he got that job and when your mom put it to you like that you got to feel
put it to you like that you got to feel
put it to you like that you got to feel that and I had to look at the facts the
that and I had to look at the facts the
that and I had to look at the facts the facts were at 18 years of age Miles
facts were at 18 years of age Miles
facts were at 18 years of age Miles Davis was a New York City playing with
Davis was a New York City playing with
Davis was a New York City playing with Quincy Jones and Dizzy Gillespie at the
Quincy Jones and Dizzy Gillespie at the
Quincy Jones and Dizzy Gillespie at the same age I was playing with some boys
same age I was playing with some boys
same age I was playing with some boys named Pookie and ray-ray
named Pookie and ray-ray
named Pookie and ray-ray hey we were good but it wasn’t gonna
hey we were good but it wasn’t gonna
hey we were good but it wasn’t gonna happen but the point is another key
happen but the point is another key
happen but the point is another key decision was made as a young guy and
decision was made as a young guy and
decision was made as a young guy and that decision was I was going to become
that decision was I was going to become
that decision was I was going to become world-class at something I just had to
world-class at something I just had to
world-class at something I just had to find that one thing that turned me on as
find that one thing that turned me on as
find that one thing that turned me on as much as the music did and the very first
much as the music did and the very first
much as the music did and the very first time that I walked into a Wall Street
time that I walked into a Wall Street
time that I walked into a Wall Street trading room I knew man this is it the
trading room I knew man this is it the
trading room I knew man this is it the ticker tape is rolling the phones are
ticker tape is rolling the phones are
ticker tape is rolling the phones are ringing off the hook people are
ringing off the hook people are
ringing off the hook people are screaming and shouting out orders bodies
screaming and shouting out orders bodies
screaming and shouting out orders bodies are flying all over the place
are flying all over the place
are flying all over the place tickets again stamp the one look like
tickets again stamp the one look like
tickets again stamp the one look like chaos to anybody else for me it was like
chaos to anybody else for me it was like
chaos to anybody else for me it was like reading a sheet of music and I could
reading a sheet of music and I could
reading a sheet of music and I could fill it and I knew this is where I’m
fill it and I knew this is where I’m
fill it and I knew this is where I’m supposed to be our War one branch
supposed to be our War one branch
supposed to be our War one branch manager down to the point that he says
manager down to the point that he says
manager down to the point that he says to me Gardner based on persistence alone
to me Gardner based on persistence alone
to me Gardner based on persistence alone we could give you a shot footwork for me
we could give you a shot footwork for me
we could give you a shot footwork for me regarding balance between family and
regarding balance between family and
regarding balance between family and business opportunities was always to be
business opportunities was always to be
business opportunities was always to be mindful of in a tie
mindful of in a tie
mindful of in a tie family comes first
family comes first
family comes first my child always came first if you’ve
my child always came first if you’ve
my child always came first if you’ve managed your relationships properly the
managed your relationships properly the
managed your relationships properly the business presentation you’re so
business presentation you’re so
business presentation you’re so concerned about the big conference
concerned about the big conference
concerned about the big conference called that cannot happen without you on
called that cannot happen without you on
called that cannot happen without you on the phone all those things can be
the phone all those things can be
the phone all those things can be rescheduled but your son is going to
rescheduled but your son is going to
rescheduled but your son is going to have one first baseball game the
have one first baseball game the
have one first baseball game the daughter is going to have one first
daughter is going to have one first
daughter is going to have one first dance recital and you’ve got to be there
dance recital and you’ve got to be there
dance recital and you’ve got to be there in a tie family wins how you motivate
in a tie family wins how you motivate
in a tie family wins how you motivate key employees I believe is number one
key employees I believe is number one
key employees I believe is number one you got to respect them you got to let
you got to respect them you got to let
you got to respect them you got to let them grow and you got to trust them and
them grow and you got to trust them and
them grow and you got to trust them and leave them alone and you have to also
leave them alone and you have to also
leave them alone and you have to also show them the opportunity to make more
show them the opportunity to make more
show them the opportunity to make more money than they’ve ever made in their
money than they’ve ever made in their
money than they’ve ever made in their lives all that combined that’s how you
lives all that combined that’s how you
lives all that combined that’s how you motivate your key core employees I know
motivate your key core employees I know
motivate your key core employees I know how important it is to try and take care
how important it is to try and take care
how important it is to try and take care of your child is to pursue your career
of your child is to pursue your career
of your child is to pursue your career that’s why we’ve had to be very flexible
that’s why we’ve had to be very flexible
that’s why we’ve had to be very flexible here in regards to children it’s very
here in regards to children it’s very
here in regards to children it’s very very important to have an environment
very important to have an environment
very important to have an environment where people who have children if they
where people who have children if they
where people who have children if they need to can bring their child work but
need to can bring their child work but
need to can bring their child work but the deal is you know what if you can
the deal is you know what if you can
the deal is you know what if you can bring your little boy you love a girl to
bring your little boy you love a girl to
bring your little boy you love a girl to work I can bring my doll and that’s the
work I can bring my doll and that’s the
work I can bring my doll and that’s the deal I get inspiration from the people
deal I get inspiration from the people
deal I get inspiration from the people that I meet when I’m on the road 200
that I meet when I’m on the road 200
that I meet when I’m on the road 200 days a year I get to see and meet and
days a year I get to see and meet and
days a year I get to see and meet and hear from people who are doing
hear from people who are doing
hear from people who are doing incredible things in their own lives and
incredible things in their own lives and
incredible things in their own lives and not waiting for someone else to come
not waiting for someone else to come
not waiting for someone else to come into them I met a young person just two
into them I met a young person just two
into them I met a young person just two weeks ago down in Charleston South
weeks ago down in Charleston South
weeks ago down in Charleston South Carolina that had raised $30,000 to feed
Carolina that had raised $30,000 to feed
Carolina that had raised $30,000 to feed homeless veterans in their community
homeless veterans in their community
homeless veterans in their community five dollars at a time by telling a
five dollars at a time by telling a
five dollars at a time by telling a story about Hakeem and how important the
story about Hakeem and how important the
story about Hakeem and how important the key is to a family thirty thousand
key is to a family thirty thousand
key is to a family thirty thousand dollars five dollars at a time and the
dollars five dollars at a time and the
dollars five dollars at a time and the person that did it
person that did it
person that did it is 11 years old those are the people
is 11 years old those are the people
is 11 years old those are the people that inspire me I firmly believe this so
that inspire me I firmly believe this so
that inspire me I firmly believe this so I know to be a fact fifty percent of all
I know to be a fact fifty percent of all
I know to be a fact fifty percent of all the companies in the fortune 500
the companies in the fortune 500
the companies in the fortune 500 started in a bear market or recession
started in a bear market or recession
started in a bear market or recession this is the time to pursue greatness but
this is the time to pursue greatness but
this is the time to pursue greatness but the key is you’ve got to be doing
the key is you’ve got to be doing
the key is you’ve got to be doing something that you’re truly passionate
something that you’re truly passionate
something that you’re truly passionate about
about
about it could not be I just want to make
it could not be I just want to make
it could not be I just want to make money it can’t be there has got to be
money it can’t be there has got to be
money it can’t be there has got to be something that the Sun can’t come up
something that the Sun can’t come up
something that the Sun can’t come up soon enough in the morning because you
soon enough in the morning because you
soon enough in the morning because you want to go do your thing baby steps
want to go do your thing baby steps
want to go do your thing baby steps count to as long as you’re going forward
count to as long as you’re going forward
count to as long as you’re going forward and one day you add all those baby steps
and one day you add all those baby steps
and one day you add all those baby steps up in you might be surprised at where
up in you might be surprised at where
up in you might be surprised at where you can get to but more importantly I
you can get to but more importantly I
you can get to but more importantly I remember something my mom used to say to
remember something my mom used to say to
remember something my mom used to say to me every day she would say son the
me every day she would say son the
me every day she would say son the cavalry ain’t coming you got to do this
cavalry ain’t coming you got to do this
cavalry ain’t coming you got to do this yourself
yourself
yourself ain’t no backup okay now when you put
ain’t no backup okay now when you put
ain’t no backup okay now when you put those two things together man it wasn’t
those two things together man it wasn’t
those two things together man it wasn’t as hard to keep going forward as you
as hard to keep going forward as you
as hard to keep going forward as you might think no one is supposed to live
might think no one is supposed to live
might think no one is supposed to live in here no one is supposed to just spend
in here no one is supposed to just spend
in here no one is supposed to just spend extended periods of time in here this is
extended periods of time in here this is
extended periods of time in here this is a public restroom this is not a living
a public restroom this is not a living
a public restroom this is not a living space but were it not for this space
space but were it not for this space
space but were it not for this space there were some days we would have no
there were some days we would have no
there were some days we would have no place else to go
place else to go
place else to go I mean a lot of decisions a lot of hard
I mean a lot of decisions a lot of hard
I mean a lot of decisions a lot of hard decisions were made right here about
decisions were made right here about
decisions were made right here about what are you going to do with your life
what are you going to do with your life
what are you going to do with your life where are you going to go how are you
where are you going to go how are you
where are you going to go how are you going to get here you gotta have a plan
going to get here you gotta have a plan
going to get here you gotta have a plan everybody’s got a dream
everybody’s got a dream
everybody’s got a dream everybody’s got a goal what’s the plan
everybody’s got a goal what’s the plan
everybody’s got a goal what’s the plan and your plan has got to have something
and your plan has got to have something
and your plan has got to have something I call the c5 complex your plan has got
I call the c5 complex your plan has got
I call the c5 complex your plan has got to be clear concise compelling
to be clear concise compelling
to be clear concise compelling consistent and committed you’ve got to
consistent and committed you’ve got to
consistent and committed you’ve got to have a plan and when you’re trying to do
have a plan and when you’re trying to do
have a plan and when you’re trying to do something that you are truly passionate
something that you are truly passionate
something that you are truly passionate about there is no plan B okay Plan B
about there is no plan B okay Plan B
about there is no plan B okay Plan B sucks all right
okay so it’s as simple as that you gotta
okay so it’s as simple as that you gotta have a plan I mean think about that for
have a plan I mean think about that for
have a plan I mean think about that for a second mm three examples Michael
a second mm three examples Michael
a second mm three examples Michael Jordan won six NBA championships with
Jordan won six NBA championships with
Jordan won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls because he was
the Chicago Bulls because he was
the Chicago Bulls because he was committed to playing a not plan B Oprah
committed to playing a not plan B Oprah
committed to playing a not plan B Oprah Winfrey became the queen of all media
Winfrey became the queen of all media
Winfrey became the queen of all media because he was committed to plan a not
because he was committed to plan a not
because he was committed to plan a not Plan B whatever your politics are Barack
Plan B whatever your politics are Barack
Plan B whatever your politics are Barack Obama is sitting in the White House
Obama is sitting in the White House
Obama is sitting in the White House because he was committed to plan a not
because he was committed to plan a not
because he was committed to plan a not Plan B okay Plan B sucks okay Gardner
Plan B okay Plan B sucks okay Gardner
Plan B okay Plan B sucks okay Gardner was heavily influenced by decisions he
was heavily influenced by decisions he
was heavily influenced by decisions he and his mother made sometimes with just
and his mother made sometimes with just
and his mother made sometimes with just a look between them when he was
a look between them when he was
a look between them when he was terrorized by his gun wielding
terrorized by his gun wielding
terrorized by his gun wielding stepfather he would come out with a
stepfather he would come out with a
stepfather he would come out with a shotgun
shotgun
shotgun you wrote my last Christmas at home and
you wrote my last Christmas at home and
you wrote my last Christmas at home and I was put out of the house butt-naked at
I was put out of the house butt-naked at
I was put out of the house butt-naked at gunpoint till this day I still have a
gunpoint till this day I still have a
gunpoint till this day I still have a problem with Christmas but I made a
problem with Christmas but I made a
problem with Christmas but I made a decision that I was going to be
decision that I was going to be
decision that I was going to be everything that this guy was not I’m not
everything that this guy was not I’m not
everything that this guy was not I’m not going to drink and I’m not going to beat
going to drink and I’m not going to beat
going to drink and I’m not going to beat women I’m not going to be ignorant and
women I’m not going to be ignorant and
women I’m not going to be ignorant and one of the tactics that I developed as a
one of the tactics that I developed as a
one of the tactics that I developed as a young kid I would read and I’d read out
young kid I would read and I’d read out
young kid I would read and I’d read out loud and I would be saying to this guy
loud and I would be saying to this guy
loud and I would be saying to this guy yeah you can beat me down you can beat
yeah you can beat me down you can beat
yeah you can beat me down you can beat me you can beat my mom you can put us
me you can beat my mom you can put us
me you can beat my mom you can put us out of here
out of here
out of here with a gun but I can read and I’m going
with a gun but I can read and I’m going
with a gun but I can read and I’m going places this man whose own father had
places this man whose own father had
places this man whose own father had abandoned him found himself carrying his
abandoned him found himself carrying his
abandoned him found himself carrying his plans into the office of Nelson Mandela
plans into the office of Nelson Mandela
plans into the office of Nelson Mandela you walked into his office he looked at
you walked into his office he looked at
you walked into his office he looked at you and said welcome home son
I had to be 46 years old and for the
I had to be 46 years old and for the first time in my life a man ever to say
first time in my life a man ever to say
first time in my life a man ever to say the words to me welcome home son and for
the words to me welcome home son and for
the words to me welcome home son and for it to be Nelson Mandela I cried I cried
it to be Nelson Mandela I cried I cried
it to be Nelson Mandela I cried I cried I asked myself when I was trying to
I asked myself when I was trying to
I asked myself when I was trying to compose my thoughts what would I want to
compose my thoughts what would I want to
compose my thoughts what would I want to hear from someone today what I want to
hear from someone today what I want to
hear from someone today what I want to hear more about the state of the economy
hear more about the state of the economy
hear more about the state of the economy Wall Street bailouts of a job market no
Wall Street bailouts of a job market no
Wall Street bailouts of a job market no I would like to hear from someone that
I would like to hear from someone that
I would like to hear from someone that you know what amidst all this chaos and
you know what amidst all this chaos and
you know what amidst all this chaos and turbulence there’s an opportunity to
turbulence there’s an opportunity to
turbulence there’s an opportunity to create a new vision of the American
create a new vision of the American
create a new vision of the American dream that’s what I would like to hear
dream that’s what I would like to hear
dream that’s what I would like to hear from somebody today our new vision of
from somebody today our new vision of
from somebody today our new vision of the American Dream as great as any of
the American Dream as great as any of
the American Dream as great as any of the visions that dreams of our
the visions that dreams of our
the visions that dreams of our forefathers founding fathers and
forefathers founding fathers and
forefathers founding fathers and ancestors a new vision of the American
ancestors a new vision of the American
ancestors a new vision of the American Dream that says achieving balance in
Dream that says achieving balance in
Dream that says achieving balance in your life is more important than the
your life is more important than the
your life is more important than the balance in your checking account
new vision a new vision of the Americans
new vision a new vision of the Americans rainwear appreciation is greater than
rainwear appreciation is greater than
rainwear appreciation is greater than expectation a new vision that says for
expectation a new vision that says for
expectation a new vision that says for too long a lot of us been living in
too long a lot of us been living in
too long a lot of us been living in exile in a place called things and it’s
exile in a place called things and it’s
exile in a place called things and it’s time for us to come home to France
time for us to come home to France
time for us to come home to France families and folks
I submit to you today that this new
I submit to you today that this new vision of the American Dream means that
vision of the American Dream means that
vision of the American Dream means that what you do does not define who you are
what you do does not define who you are
what you do does not define who you are a new vision that says do not confuse
a new vision that says do not confuse
a new vision that says do not confuse your net worth with your self-worth our
your net worth with your self-worth our
your net worth with your self-worth our new vision that says hey stuff toys and
new vision that says hey stuff toys and
new vision that says hey stuff toys and things exist but they are not necessary
things exist but they are not necessary
things exist but they are not necessary for you to be happy
for you to be happy
for you to be happy this vision I submit firmly rooted in
this vision I submit firmly rooted in
this vision I submit firmly rooted in the past appreciative of today but
the past appreciative of today but
the past appreciative of today but clearly focused on the future that we
clearly focused on the future that we
clearly focused on the future that we can choose to create and my last words
can choose to create and my last words
can choose to create and my last words to you today will be this a lot of other
to you today will be this a lot of other
to you today will be this a lot of other folk will tell you that the sky is
folk will tell you that the sky is
folk will tell you that the sky is fallin I will not say that to you
fallin I will not say that to you
fallin I will not say that to you I will not tell you that the sky has
I will not tell you that the sky has
I will not tell you that the sky has fallen I will say that those are pennies
fallen I will say that those are pennies
fallen I will say that those are pennies from heaven you know why I say that
from heaven you know why I say that
from heaven you know why I say that because I’ve seen this movie before and
because I’ve seen this movie before and
because I’ve seen this movie before and I know how it turns out
and the last pit hit the last thing I
and the last pit hit the last thing I will say to you today is is all of my
will say to you today is is all of my
will say to you today is is all of my fellow classmates are my fellow
fellow classmates are my fellow
fellow classmates are my fellow classmates and graduates you are in a
classmates and graduates you are in a
classmates and graduates you are in a position to go forward and I encourage
position to go forward and I encourage
position to go forward and I encourage you that whatever you do for the rest of
you that whatever you do for the rest of
you that whatever you do for the rest of your life always pursue happiness and
your life always pursue happiness and
your life always pursue happiness and you can start where you are thank you
you can start where you are thank you
you can start where you are thank you guys so much for watching I hope you
guys so much for watching I hope you
guys so much for watching I hope you enjoyed this video I’d love to know what
enjoyed this video I’d love to know what
enjoyed this video I’d love to know what did you think what did you take from
did you think what did you take from
did you think what did you take from Chris’s message is there something that
Chris’s message is there something that
Chris’s message is there something that you learned today that you’re going to
you learned today that you’re going to
you learned today that you’re going to apply to your business to your life
apply to your business to your life
apply to your business to your life leave it down the comments below I’m
leave it down the comments below I’m
leave it down the comments below I’m going to join in the discussion I also
going to join in the discussion I also
going to join in the discussion I also wanted to give a quick shout out to
wanted to give a quick shout out to
wanted to give a quick shout out to Valerie Munn dear Valerie thank you so
Valerie Munn dear Valerie thank you so
Valerie Munn dear Valerie thank you so much for buying a copy of my book it
much for buying a copy of my book it
much for buying a copy of my book it really means a lot to me
really means a lot to me
really means a lot to me those you watch it if you want your
those you watch it if you want your
those you watch it if you want your chance at a shout out in a future video
chance at a shout out in a future video
chance at a shout out in a future video make sure to pick up a copy of the book
make sure to pick up a copy of the book
make sure to pick up a copy of the book and email in your receipt so you can
and email in your receipt so you can
and email in your receipt so you can keep track thank you guys so much for
keep track thank you guys so much for
keep track thank you guys so much for watching
watching
watching continue to believe or whatever your one
continue to believe or whatever your one
continue to believe or whatever your one where it is and I’ll see you soon
”
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