Rule #1, Don't Be #2: You Get What You Work For, Not What You Wish For

By Daniel Milstein

In his fourth book, RULE #1 DON’T BE #2, Daniel Milstein inspires like never before, challenging us to dream BIG with his charismatic candor, giving us each a compelling glimpse into our own limitless potential. In addition to Dan’s riveting accounts of overcoming adversity, Rule #1 Don’t Be #2 captivates with countless stories of those who’ve dominated their respective fields against seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Framed in Dan’s fast-paced, conversational style and his best-loved, thought-provoking quotes, we’re gifted the life-changing lessons of the world’s greatest achievers. Don’t miss Dan’s heartfelt tutorial that is destined to become a giant in the motivational genre, and beyond.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jul 25, 2017
• ISBN: 9781947165052

Book preview

1.

MAKE HARD WORK YOUR WEAPON

It’s not how much you sleep, it’s what you do when you’re awake.

Success means working hard every day and making the necessary sacrifices to accomplish often-challenging goals.

People frequently ask if there is a secret to attaining success. The Greek philosopher Socrates had a very simple answer to that question. One day a young man asked him if there was indeed such a secret. Socrates told the man to meet him at a nearby river the following morning. When they met, the philosopher suggested they walk into the water. Socrates surprised his companion by dunking him under and holding him there for several minutes. Finally, he pulled the young man’s head out of the water. As he quickly gasped and took a deep breath of air, Socrates asked him, What did you want the most when you were under water there? Without hesitating, he replied, Air. Socrates said, That is the secret to success. When you want success as badly as you wanted the air, then you will get it. There is no other secret.

The one constant is that every true success story usually begins with a dream, the inspiration to reach seemingly impossible goals. One of my own early dreams of future success

It’s essential that you don’t let others’ definitions of success alter your drive to achieve.

occurred as my parents, brother and I stepped off the plane that had taken us from our old home in the Soviet Union to a new one in America. We carried few possessions, and my only money was the 17 cents in my pocket to mail a letter back home to my best friend. My family faced an uncertain future, but I was excited at the potential of our new home and hoped that it would be the first step on my way to achieving the American Dream.

My life has since been made up of many accomplishments—from becoming a top producing salesman to establishing a major residential lending company that has also expanded into publishing, movie production, and a professional celebrity and athlete management group—that many well-meaning people told me were impossible.

It’s essential that you don’t let others’ definitions of success alter your drive to achieve. If the opinion of others is enough to make you quit, then perhaps you’re not quite ready for the success about which you dream.

Obviously we learn that achieving success is not an overnight process.

Behind every successful person there are usually several unsuccessful years. You may be one of the lucky ones who enjoys quick success, but most people take a steady climb to reach their various goals.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned about success from studying great achievers is that there is no finish line. If you find you’re realizing high aspirations, never be fooled into thinking you have arrived, as that may lead to arrogance or complacency. How you handle success often determines how long you will hold on to