This Is Why You DON'T SUCCEED! (Don't Let This HOLD YOU BACK From Success) | Les Brown

Summary

Motivational speaker Les Brown details his inspiring life story, overcoming labels like 'educable mentally retarded' and adversity like growing up in poverty with a single mother. He discusses critical mentors like his high school teacher who saw potential in him and pivotal mindset shifts like realizing your thinking creates your reality. Brown stresses having hunger to better yourself, surrounding yourself with 'only quality people', developing communication skills, and maintaining self-awareness and self-approval. He advocates tuning out cultural programming and finding your unique interests and talents. Brown aims to inspire audiences worldwide, driven by his selfless mother's example and commitment to contribute to humanity.

Takeaways

• 😀 To achieve your goals, surround yourself with supportive, high-quality people and mentors who believe in you
• 😧 Overcome challenges and setbacks with faith, determination and an unstoppable attitude
• 🙏 Live a life of contribution that positively impacts others
• 👩‍🏫 Continuously work on yourself through learning and new experiences to discover your full potential
• 💪🏾 Defy limiting labels and opinions others have placed on you
• 😤 Be relentlessly driven by your hunger and passion
• 📚 Read books and listen to messages that inspire you and expand your thinking
• 👥 Build relationships that challenge you to reach higher
• 🌟 Set bold dreams that stretch you outside your comfort zone
• 💡 Transform your mindset to see possibilities beyond your circumstances

Q & A

What was the defining moment in Les Brown's childhood that showed him the injustice that existed at that time?

When Les Brown was 5 years old, he drank from a "whites only" water fountain in public. His mother severely beat him out of fear of what would happen if authorities saw him break racist laws that existed at the time.

How did Les Brown's adopted mother, Mamie, demonstrate determination and resilience in raising her children?

As a single mother with limited education and resources, Mamie did whatever it took to provide for her children - including working multiple jobs, selling moonshine when she lost work, and going to jail. She always found a way to keep food on the table, a roof over their heads, and raise her children with love.

What core advice did Les Brown's high school teacher give him that had a major impact on the rest of his life?

His teacher told him that 1) he needed to change his mindset and realize he could achieve anything he set his mind to 2) surround himself with high quality, positive people and 3) develop strong communication skills.

How does Les Brown recommend dealing with negative self-talk and limiting beliefs?

He says you need to have a maintenance program to continually renew your thinking. This includes activities like reading inspirational materials, attending seminars, spending quiet time in self-reflection, and surrounding yourself with positive mentors/coaches.

What was the key thing that allowed Les Brown to eventually view himself as capable of being a professional speaker?

Over time, through experiences like attending personal development seminars and having positive mentors/coaches, he began to peel back the layers of negative conditioning and self-doubt instilled in him earlier in life. This allowed him to connect with his innate talents and potential.

What is Les Brown's viewpoint regarding making money from speaking engagements?

Unlike others, Les says his priority is using his speaking ability to change lives rather than viewing it chiefly as a way to get rich. He speaks from genuine passion because someone spoke words that transformed his life early on.

What does it mean to live a heart-centered life according to Les Brown?

It means pursuing goals and activities that align with your authentic passion and purpose rather than being overly swayed by societal programming or expectations.

Why does Les Brown believe we must live lives that outlive us?

Because the positive impact we have can continue changing lives for generations after we die. He wants his life's work to be a major contribution to humankind.

What was the key trait Les Brown learned from his relentless door-to-door sales experience?

The hunger and determination to keep pushing himself outside his comfort zone to achieve his goals, no matter how many times he faced rejection or adversity.

What is Les Brown's life philosophy he aims to fulfill daily?

"Aspire to inspire, until I expire."