Success is taking what you know, and creating the best YOU that YOU can be.

   There are no Ivy League degrees on my wall, since I graduated from Miami-Dade community college. I also went to an average public high school, never took the SAT exam, and was frequently in trouble in school. Some pedigree. 

   My reason to tell you this is because I, like you, thought I would never be able to "make it". There was no point of reference for success in my family or education. I was on a track to be pretty darn average. But I decided not to accept that. You can make that same decision.

   Is everyone capable of anything? Probably not. But you are certainly capable of being much more than you currently are. You are capable of being a pretty amazing YOU. 

   That's the central idea behind my book, Alphabet Success. "Making it" isn't so much about having a remarkable IQ, or a previously unheard of invention. Success is taking what you know, and creating the best YOU that YOU can be.

   My message to you is, don't settle. Discover the most powerful version of you. I too thought successful people were "special". Perhaps, but it's a sort of special that is available in some way to everyone is who is willing to try, and keep on trying until the "special" happens. 

   The trying part? That part is up to you. 

Success is like Sausage??? Tim has lost his mind!

   What the heck? How on earth is success like sausage? What do you mean?

   Well, I think success is very similar to sausage. With apologies to non-meat eaters, sausage tastes pretty awesome, just like success. But there are some things that going into making sausage that might make it a bit less appetizing if you really think about it. Same as success. What do I mean by that?

   When I was running Omega, before the big payoff, I had a business with over 300 people, and a $2 million dollar line of credit. Just to make it interesting the bank had a lien against my house in the event something went wrong. Yep, the place where I lived with my kids. One bad move and boom, goodbye villa, hello streets. 

   This is no pity party. But it is important to see success for what it is. An arduous journey to get past seemingly neverending obstacles while fending off the competition along the way. It can be incredibly fun and enjoyable. Except when it isn't. And if you want success, you don't get a button to select "fun stuff only". You get the spoils, but you also are in for the headaches and risks.

   So yes, success is like sausage, you'd be surprised what goes into it. 

   But don't let that stop you from taking a bite. 

Promises, Progress and Reputation.

What promises do you make, either implicit or explicit to your clients, loved ones or co-workers?

(T H I N K    A B O U T   I T)

Do you keep them? Do you try to exceed their expectation? Do you make an effort even when it is hard or the prior promise is one you'd rather forget about?

(T H I N K    A B O U T   I T)

If you answered YES: Congratulations. You have made a valuable first step toward getting what you want.

If you answered NO: Think about the feeling you get when you are disappointed. You should be feeling that now. You have failed yourself.

In the end, the keeping of promises establishes your reputation. Reputation is a bit like virginity.Once it is gone, it is rather difficult to regain.

ABC - Always Be Committed. You Promised. Now Deliver.