The Art of Making Your Mark:13 Insights from the World’s Most Successful People
Are you curious about the secrets behind the success of some of the world’s game changers? If so, keep reading to learn the invaluable wisdom, lessons, and tips I’ve gained from studying these successful mentors for The Distillery.
Here are the top 13 lessons 
Lesson #1 The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection Mindset by Bob Iger
Every successful leader has a unique set of qualities that sets them apart from the rest. Bob Iger, the CEO of The Walt Disney Company, is no exception. His relentless pursuit of perfection is what helped make him one of the most successful CEOs in the world today. Bob has an insatiable thirst for excellence and this has been a foundational pillar for his success.
To strive for excellence and never settle for mediocrity is the philosophy of The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection. This is not about following a specific set of rules, but rather having a higher standard for yourself that you strive to reach. This standard is expressed through one’s actions and the mantra to “Do what you need to do to make it better”. This idea is encapsulated in the Japanese word shokunin, which is “the endless pursuit of perfection for some greater good.”
We all have the ability to embody this mindset. The question is, Are you going to?
Lesson #2 Someone is Going to Accomplish Your Dreams, Why Not Make it You? by Michael Jordan
The Hall of Fame basketball player Michael Jordan always strived to be the best and knew that the only way to achieve success was if you’re willing “to put in the work and remain open to the possibility. Dreams are realized by effort, determination, passion and staying connected to that sense of who you are.” The greatest basketball player of all time had a simple yet powerful message for dreamers: there is no limit to what one can accomplish when they put in the effort and remain true to who they are.
When thinking about their dreams people often doubt themselves and ask, Why me? Instead, Michael asked, WHY NOT ME? And then put in the work to make those dreams become reality.
Remember that someone is going to accomplish your dreams, why not make it you?
Lesson #3 Get A Clear Vision by Arnold Schwarzenegger
The Terminator said the most important and first step he used to achieve success was to create a compelling vision.
Arnold focused intensely on crafting his vision and then spent time imagining himself already accomplishing those things. He said, “I was going to go for the Mr. Universe title; I was going to break records in powerlifting; I was going to Hollywood; I was going to be like Reg Park. The vision became so clear in my mind that I felt like it had to happen. There was no alternative; it was this or nothing.”
A clear vision is needed but in order to turn that vision into reality hard work and taking action are mandatory.
Crafting a vision, visualizing success and then taking action on your dreams is the Arnold Schwarzenegger formula for achieving lifelong success.
How clear is your vision of what you want to accomplish in your life? Once you know that, what is one thing you can do in the next 20 minutes to start working towards that?
Lesson #4 The Key Question, “Who Will You Have to Become to Achieve All That You Want?” by Tony Robbins
Tony Robbins once said, “Who will you have to become to achieve all you want?” We all want to make our dreams come true, but it’s essential to remember that it starts with becoming the person you need to be in order to achieve those things.
No one ever accomplished their goals because they had a goal. They accomplished their goals because they did what’s required to get there.
What do you need to change about yourself? What kind of person do you need to become? Ask yourself these questions and be honest about the necessary changes you need to make. Becoming the person you need to be is key to creating the life you want.
So, take a step forward and become the person you know you can be. Reflect on what you need to do and make the necessary changes. You have the power to create the life you want, and you have the power to become the person you know you can be. It’s time to take charge and make your dreams come true!
Lesson #5 Living on The Other Side of Pain by Josh Waitzkin
Living on the Other Side of Pain is the principle of learning to turn what feels uncomfortable, that place of mental resistance when you’re at your stretch point into something that you crave, that you enjoy, that you love.
Most people seek to avoid pain but to achieve excellence you can’t avoid pain. You must seek it out and embrace it. You need to be in search of your stretch points.
Waitzkin believes that the most meaningful life experiences happen on the other side of pain. So in order to experience these ecstatic moments we need to come face to face with pain.
The moments we learned and grew the most in our lives were NOT moments of ease. The moments that we are proudest of were the moments we were riding on the razors edge of our stretch point and experiencing pain and then made it to the other side.
Lesson #6 You Can Be Born with Bad Cards, But You Have The Power to Craft Your Own Destiny by Jonny Kim
Jonny Kim is a perfect example of someone who has taken the initiative to become the person he wanted to be. He grew up in an abusive household that was filled with trauma and then became a Navy SEAL, Harvard Medical Doctor and NASA Astronaut. Yes he became all 3 of those things, and he continues to inspire others with his story of resilience and determination.
Jonny embodies the ability of not letting your past define your future; instead, use it as a stepping stone to becoming the person you want to be. Our past doesn’t determine our future, unless we let it.
We all have the ability to craft our future and that is an active choice that can be made at any moment. So, decide the type of person you want to be and then go BE THAT PERSON!
If you need help doing this I’ve designed an online course called You Unleashed with a proven curriculum to do this!
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Lesson #7 Moments of Failure Reveal Your True Character by Toto Wolff
Toto Wolff CEO & Team Principal of Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team says, “It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and success of achieving a goal, but it’s those moments of failure that are the true test of a person’s character.”
Instead of turning away from failure and despair, Toto encourages his team to recognize their failures, own them and grow from them. You need to look beyond the failure and identify what went wrong, so you can learn from it and use it to become better in the future.
Failure provides opportunity for growth… if we let it. Success is not about avoiding mistakes and failures, but about embracing them and using them as a learning opportunity.
So the next time you experience a failure, think about who you want to be and show up as that person! Remember, it’s the moments of failure when your true character is revealed.
Lesson #8 The Excellence Reflex by Danny Meyer
Danny is the Founder of Shake Shack and Union Square Hospitality Group and has built his success on a principle he calls, “The Excellence Reflex”.
The Excellence Reflex is an attitude of never settling and a mindset of continual betterment. It’s the refusal to accept mediocrity and the drive to make things better. It’s the courage to take action when something is wrong, and the strength to keep going when the going gets tough. It’s the belief that every situation can be improved. It’s the power to be your best self and to strive for excellence in all aspects of life. Cultivating the Excellence Reflex requires a commitment to quality.
This commitment is one we can all make. The question is, will you make the commitment to reach for excellence?
Lesson #9 The 2 Pains in Life by Nick Saban
Nick Saban, Alabama Head Football Coach tells his teams that, “There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline, and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you’ll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment.”
LFG! There isn’t even anything for me to add, this is just fire!
Lesson #10 The Recipe for Success by Nick Kokonas
The world renowned restaurateur Nick Kokonas knows a thing or two about award winning recipes. If you want to achieve success, take a page from Nick’s cookbook.
- Own something
- Make lots of decisions that have outcomes
- Aim to be right 51% of the time
- Do that often
- Repeat until you reach success
Lesson #11 Don’t Seek Success, Seek Fulfillment by Yen Liow
Many people get sidetracked in life because they focus too much on achieving success instead of striving for fulfillment. While meeting your goals can be rewarding, it is not the same as being truly happy and satisfied with your life. There isn’t anything worse than achieving your goals but being miserable. Success without fulfillment is the ultimate failure.
Yen says, “Here’s my wish for you. You find your Why and you’ll work out your How. You choose a game wisely that you find fulfilling. Don’t just choose success, seek fulfillment.
Learn to lead yourself and then others. Surround yourself with peers you admire and respect. Acquire mentors who show you the path or assist you, and then learn like crazy, work like crazy, and win like crazy. I hope you embrace and enjoy the struggle that is the journey of excellence.”
Lesson #12 True Joy Comes from Being Fully Present in the Moment by Phil Jackson
Phil Jackson, the coach with the most NBA Championships, has wisdom that should not be ignored. He reminds us that the key to success is focusing on the present and not worrying about the future or the past. Instead, direct all your energy and attention to what is happening right now.
“In basketball, as in life, true joy comes from being fully present in each and every moment, not just when things are going your way. Of course, it’s no accident that things are more likely to go your way when you stop worrying about whether you’re going to win or lose and focus your full attention on what’s happening right now.”
Actively work to focus your attention to this present moment. After all, ecstasy is attention at its fullest.
Lesson #13 We are the Artists of Our Own Lives by Bruce Lee
We are all creative individuals, with a life that is always full of potential. As Bruce Lee said, “I have always been a martial artist by choice and actor by profession. But, above all, I am hoping to actualize myself to be an artist of life.”
Being an Artist of Life means not shying away from taking risks, embracing mistakes, and going against societal norms to become the person you want to be.
Life is a blank canvas creating your masterpiece is in your hands. Don’t let fear obstruct your greatness – unleash your inner artist – walk the path of your own greatness – take control of your life.
Want more advice from the world’s most successful people? Click HERE to learn more tips on how to live your best life.