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Success                                                      Jim Rohn's Lessons on Life

From Cancer to 7-Time World Champion
Lance Armstrong Reveals His 4-Step Comeback Plan

Step 1: Don't live in denial In January 1996, I was coming off my best year in cycling. Suddenly, at age 25, I learned I had advanced testicular cancer. I was given a 50-50 chance of survival and virtually no chance of ever cycling, racing, or competing again. I found the best doctors I could and dealt with it head-on.
Apply it: Confront the reality of your situation. Pretending a problem doesn't exist means you'll never conquer it.

Step 2: Come back from your low point. After cancer surgery, I was at the lowest point of my life, physically and emotionally. But to me, it was all upside from there. That's where the comeback began. When you're at that low point, stop and cherish it because it feels so good to come back.
Apply it: Character is built by picking yourself up after a setback. Don't limit yourself by focusing on prior obstacles. Turn your struggles into fuel for your successes.

Step 3: Surround yourself with a good team. I believed that when I announced my comeback, I would be in demand, but the top offers never came. I joined the American cycling team-- we had to revitalize our focus, formulate a strategy, and train hard to win.
Apply it: The right people make all the difference. Seek the guidance and support to turn your situation around. Don't be afraid to reach out.

Step 4: Face new challenges. After riding for 20 years, I'm heading out into the world to find new horizons. I'm facing new challenges that make seven Tour wins look small: being the best father and advocate I can be. I love a good fight. Let's face our challenges together. I'll ride right alongside you. We all have good fights we need to fight.
Apply it: Comebacks evolve and take time and work. New challenges always arise. Don't back down from the fight to improve your life. Only after we overcome life's strains and difficulties do we truly appreciate the unprecedented highs.

Richard Branson's Three Keys to Entrepreneurial Success

1. Provide Untapped Value to the Customer: "The most critical thing with any new venture is we must deliver a tremendous value to the consumer so that it enhances all the ventures we've done before it," says Branson. Today, the Virgin brand encompasses everything from soft drinks to airlines. Branson's approach has been to provide something unique in each venture; something the competition lacks. Find the value, find the customers.

2. Exploit a Passion: "I start businesses when I have a passion for something. That's also why I went into the airline business, even though everybody I talked to told me that there was no money to be made there. I felt that I could make a difference. That's the best reason to go into business because you feel strongly that you can change things," says Branson. It's the entrepreneurial passion and attitude that makes the difference in achieving lasting success.

3. Trust Your Instincts: "A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts." Case in point, the "rebel-billionaire" relied on gut instincts to take advantage of opportunities when they presented themselves. Branson wasn't born wealthy, and began his empire by selling yet-to-be touched (i.e. "Virgin") records out of the trunk of his car when it was unheard of to do so. Slowly but surely, he built the expanded his business until it became the multi-billion dollar empire we know today. Mix a great idea with passion.

Rich Dad's 8 Core Values for Success

Robert Kiyosaki, author of the best-selling Rich Dad, Poor Dad series, shares tips for getting ahead in business.

1. Find equal opportunities. Don't be a victim of the survival-of-the-fittest technique. Make yourself marketable.

2. Get a life-changing business education. Feed your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual needs. No, this doesn't necessarily mean sitting in a college classroom. Get an education from life.

3. Latch onto friends who will pull you up, not push you down. Protect yourself from negative influences.

4. Find value in your network. The more people you can meet in business, the better.

5. Develop your most important business skill. Communicate, communicate and communicate.

6. Be a leader. Influence others by being a great teacher.

7. Don't work just for money. Work to build wealth, not money. Invest.

8. Live your dreams. First of all, make sure you have dreams. Then make them a reality. You can be a successful businessperson and still make your dreams come true.

From Success Magazine.

Virtual Franchise Owner's Manual Chapter 2    ●    Who is Responsible for Your Success?

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