Blog + Diamonds
VIDEO SUMMARY
Own Your Destiny: Dive into the Game-Changing Steps to Empowerment!
Hey there, Rockstars! Ever wondered why some folks seem to breeze through life with ease while others struggle to keep their heads above water? 🤔
Well, hold onto your hats because we’re about to spill the beans on the ultimate secret sauce to adulting like a boss! 💼💥
Picture this: you’re navigating through the maze of life, dodging obstacles left and right, when suddenly, a light bulb flickers on 💡…
“Wait a minute,” you think, “what if I told you that YOU hold the key to unlocking your full potential?” 🗝️
That’s right, my friend! It’s time to stop playing the blame game and start taking control of your destiny like a certified superhero! 🦸♂️💪
From embracing responsibility in every aspect of your life to flipping challenges on their heads like a boss, we’ve got the insider tips and tricks you need to level up your game and live your best life! 🎮💥
Say goodbye to playing the victim and hello to becoming the master of your own destiny! 🌟
So, are you ready to ditch the excuses, grab life by the horns, and unleash your inner powerhouse? 🔥
Then buckle up, buttercup, because we’re about to embark on an epic journey of self-discovery and empowerment like never before! 🚀✨
Don’t just take our word for it—come join the party and see for yourself! 🎉💫
#OwnYourLife #BossUp #EmpowermentJourney
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Recognize the Need for Personal Responsibility
Description:
Acknowledge the importance of taking charge of your own life and decisions, transitioning from dependence to independence.
Implementation:
- Reflect on your current mindset regarding personal responsibility. Are you relying on others to make decisions for you?
- Understand that being an adult entails taking ownership of your actions and decisions, rather than depending on others to provide for you.
- Accept that you are ultimately responsible for your own well-being and success, regardless of external circumstances or influences.
Specific Details:
- Consider instances where you may have deferred decision-making to others, whether it’s regarding daily choices or major life decisions.
- Evaluate the impact of relying on others for direction and support versus taking initiative and responsibility for your own life.
Step 2: Embrace Independence
Description:
Embrace the concept of independence and self-sufficiency, where you actively take control of your life and actions.
Implementation:
- Shift your mindset from seeing yourself as a child who is dependent on others to an independent adult capable of making your own choices.
- Start by making small decisions autonomously, such as choosing what to eat, when to go out, or how to manage your time.
- Gradually take on more significant responsibilities, such as managing your finances, pursuing personal goals, and making career decisions.
Specific Details:
- Recognize that independence is not about rejecting help or support from others but rather about taking initiative and being accountable for your own path.
- Seek opportunities to demonstrate self-reliance in various aspects of your life, building confidence in your ability to navigate challenges and make informed decisions.
Step 3: Adopt a Proactive Mindset
Description:
Cultivate a proactive mindset focused on taking initiative and seeking solutions rather than dwelling on problems or relying on external sources for guidance.
Implementation:
- Embrace the mantra, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me,” as a guiding principle for personal responsibility and empowerment.
- Refrain from blaming others or external circumstances for challenges or setbacks, and instead, focus on identifying actionable steps to address them.
- Practice Henry Ford’s advice: “Never complain, never explain.” Instead of complaining about circumstances, take proactive steps to change them.
Specific Details:
- Understand that complaining not only undermines your sense of agency but also perpetuates a victim mentality.
- Cultivate a habit of seeking solutions and taking decisive action when faced with obstacles, fostering a sense of empowerment and self-reliance.
Step 4: Recognize Victim Mentality
Description:
Identify signs of victim mentality characterized by blaming external factors for one’s circumstances and feeling powerless.
Implementation:
- Pay attention to your language and mindset. Notice if you tend to attribute negative experiences to others or external circumstances.
- Be wary of phrases such as “he did this to me,” “she did that to me,” or “the company did this to me,” which suggest a victim mindset.
- Understand that adopting a victim mentality undermines self-esteem, motivation, and confidence.
Specific Details:
- Reflect on past instances where you may have felt victimized or blamed external factors for your challenges.
- Consider how adopting a victim mentality may have hindered your personal growth and success.
Step 5: Avoid Excuses
Description:
Acknowledge the detrimental impact of making excuses and commit to refraining from them.
Implementation:
- Recognize the “valley of excuses” as a barrier between immaturity and adulthood, where excuses hinder personal growth and success.
- Understand that making excuses diminishes accountability and prevents progress.
- Reframe your mindset to focus on solutions rather than excuses, taking ownership of your actions and decisions.
Specific Details:
- Challenge yourself to confront obstacles head-on without resorting to excuses.
- Practice self-awareness to catch yourself when tempted to make excuses and reframe your thinking towards proactive problem-solving.
Step 6: Leap to Responsibility
Description:
Make a decisive leap from a victim mentality to total responsibility for your life and actions.
Implementation:
- Embrace the fear and exhilaration of accepting total responsibility for your life.
- Understand that taking full responsibility liberates you from dependence on external factors and empowers you to take control of your destiny.
- Commit to never looking back once you’ve made the leap to responsibility.
Specific Details:
- Visualize the leap from the “valley of excuses” to the side of adulthood and maturity as a pivotal moment of personal growth and empowerment.
- Recognize that accepting responsibility is a conscious choice that requires courage and determination.
Step 7: Eliminate Excusitis
Description:
Acknowledge excusitis as a fatal obstacle to success and commit to eradicating it from your mindset.
Implementation:
- Understand excusitis as an inflammation of the excuse-making gland that hinders progress and achievement.
- Reject the temptation to make excuses and instead focus on taking decisive action towards your goals.
- Embrace a mindset of accountability and ownership, recognizing that success requires effort and determination.
Specific Details:
- Internalize the belief that excuses are not valid reasons for failure and commit to taking responsibility for your outcomes.
- Practice self-discipline and perseverance in overcoming excuses, focusing on solutions and progress.
Step 8: Embrace Responsibility
Description:
Understand that acceptance of responsibility is not optional but mandatory for personal growth and success.
Implementation:
- Emphasize the importance of taking control of your life and decisions rather than relinquishing control to external factors.
- Commit to embracing responsibility in all aspects of your life, including career, relationships, and personal development.
- Understand that true empowerment comes from owning your actions and choices.
Specific Details:
- Reject the notion of giving away control and instead empower yourself by accepting responsibility for your circumstances.
- Cultivate a mindset of proactive problem-solving and accountability, recognizing that you have the power to shape your future.
Step 9: Understand the Concept of Responsibility
Description:
Grasp the significance of responsibility as the ability to respond effectively to challenges and circumstances.
Implementation:
- Break down the word “responsibility” into “response” and “ability,” emphasizing your capability to respond to various situations.
- Internalize the idea that accepting responsibility is essential for personal growth and empowerment.
- Recognize that responsibility entails taking ownership of your actions and decisions, rather than relinquishing control to external factors.
Specific Details:
- Reflect on instances where your ability to respond effectively to challenges has led to positive outcomes or personal growth.
- Consider the consequences of avoiding responsibility and the impact it may have on your life and relationships.
Step 10: Accept Responsibility
Description:
Acknowledge that accepting responsibility is mandatory for personal development and success.
Implementation:
- Understand that you cannot progress or overcome obstacles until you accept full responsibility for your life and actions.
- Reject the temptation to shift blame or make excuses, committing to a mindset of accountability and empowerment.
- Embrace the fear and uncertainty associated with accepting responsibility, recognizing it as a necessary step towards growth.
Specific Details:
- Visualize responsibility as a gateway to personal freedom and empowerment, where taking ownership of your actions leads to greater control over your destiny.
- Challenge yourself to confront and overcome any resistance or reluctance to accept responsibility, understanding that it is a fundamental aspect of adulthood.
Step 11: Learn from History
Description:
Gain insights from historical examples illustrating the importance of effectively responding to challenges.
Implementation:
- Study historical civilizations and empires to understand how they rose and fell based on their ability to respond to challenges.
- Analyze the responses of successful civilizations, noting how effective problem-solving and adaptation led to growth and expansion.
- Internalize the lessons from history, recognizing the consequences of failing to respond effectively to challenges.
Specific Details:
- Research specific examples of civilizations that thrived or collapsed based on their ability to respond to internal and external challenges.
- Consider how historical lessons can be applied to your own life, emphasizing the importance of resilience, adaptability, and proactive problem-solving.
Step 12: Embrace Challenges
Description:
Understand that challenges are inevitable and essential for personal growth and development.
Implementation:
- Embrace challenges as opportunities for learning, growth, and resilience-building.
- Adopt a mindset of perseverance and determination, recognizing that overcoming challenges strengthens character and builds confidence.
- Reframe challenges as stepping stones to success rather than obstacles to be avoided.
Specific Details:
- Cultivate a positive attitude towards challenges, viewing them as opportunities to test your capabilities and expand your skills.
- Develop strategies for effectively managing and overcoming challenges, such as problem-solving techniques, resilience-building exercises, and seeking support when needed.
Step 13: Commit to Growth
Description:
Commit to continual growth and improvement by actively responding to challenges and obstacles.
Implementation:
- Embrace a lifelong mindset of learning, adaptation, and personal development.
- View challenges as opportunities for self-discovery and self-improvement, rather than setbacks or failures.
- Maintain a proactive approach to life, seeking out new experiences, challenges, and opportunities for growth.
Specific Details:
- Set goals for personal and professional development, focusing on areas where you can enhance your skills, knowledge, and abilities.
- Embrace feedback and constructive criticism as opportunities for growth, rather than viewing them as threats to your ego.
- Celebrate your successes and milestones along the way, recognizing each challenge overcome as a step towards realizing your full potential.
Step 14: Understand the Nature of Challenges
Description:
Recognize challenges as inevitable and essential for personal and societal growth.
Implementation:
- Internalize the understanding that challenges are a natural part of life and serve as opportunities for learning and growth.
- Embrace a proactive mindset towards challenges, viewing them as opportunities to test your abilities and build resilience.
- Acknowledge that effective response to challenges is crucial for continued growth and success.
Specific Details:
- Reflect on past challenges you’ve faced and how you responded to them, noting the outcomes and lessons learned.
- Understand that challenges, when effectively addressed, contribute to personal and societal progress.
Step 15: Pre-Program Your Response
Description:
Pre-program yourself to respond effectively to challenges by making a proactive decision in advance.
Implementation:
- Decide in advance that, regardless of the challenge, you will respond effectively and take charge of the situation.
- Pre-program your mindset to automatically respond with resilience and determination when faced with difficulties.
- Cultivate a sense of readiness and preparedness to handle challenges as they arise.
Specific Details:
- Affirm to yourself regularly that you are capable of responding effectively to any challenge that comes your way.
- Visualize yourself overcoming obstacles with confidence and determination, reinforcing the belief in your ability to respond effectively.
- Practice mental rehearsal of effective responses to potential challenges, preparing yourself for various scenarios.
Step 16: Embrace Responsibility in Politics
Description:
Acknowledge the importance of taking responsibility in the political arena by making informed decisions and advocating for accountability.
Implementation:
- Understand that voting for politicians who promise free benefits can lead to a loss of personal autonomy and economic stability.
- Take responsibility for understanding political issues and policies, making informed voting decisions based on principles rather than promises of free benefits.
- Advocate for responsible governance and fiscal policies that prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term gratification.
Specific Details:
- Educate yourself about the economic implications of political decisions, recognizing that irresponsible fiscal policies can lead to economic instability.
- Support political candidates who prioritize fiscal responsibility, individual liberties, and accountability to constituents.
Step 17: Take Charge of Your Economic Life
Description:
Empower yourself economically by taking charge of your career and financial decisions.
Implementation:
- Adopt a mindset of economic adulthood, where you take ownership of your career path and financial well-being.
- Avoid relying solely on others for employment opportunities, instead, see yourself as self-employed and in control of your career destiny.
- Invest in continuous learning and skill development to enhance your employability and adaptability in the ever-changing job market.
Specific Details:
- Explore alternative career paths such as freelancing, entrepreneurship, or remote work, empowering yourself to create opportunities independent of traditional employment.
- Take proactive steps to build a diverse skill set and network, increasing your resilience in the face of economic uncertainties.
- Seek financial independence by managing your expenses, saving, and investing wisely, reducing reliance on external sources for financial security.
Step 18: Political Responsibility
Description:
Acknowledge the importance of taking responsibility in the political arena by making informed decisions and advocating for accountability.
Implementation:
- Avoid relying on politicians to solve all societal problems or provide free benefits, as this can lead to loss of personal autonomy.
- Take charge of your political engagement by educating yourself about political issues and policies.
- Advocate for responsible governance and fiscal policies that prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term gratification.
Specific Details:
- Recognize that voting for politicians who promise free benefits can lead to economic instability and loss of personal freedoms.
- Support political candidates who prioritize fiscal responsibility and individual liberties, rather than promises of free benefits.
- Take an active role in holding elected officials accountable for their actions and decisions.
Step 19: Economic Responsibility
Description:
Empower yourself economically by taking charge of your career and financial decisions.
Implementation:
- Adopt a mindset of economic adulthood, where you take ownership of your career path and financial well-being.
- Avoid relying solely on others for employment opportunities, instead, see yourself as self-employed and in control of your career destiny.
- Invest in continuous learning and skill development to enhance your employability and adaptability in the ever-changing job market.
Specific Details:
- Explore alternative career paths such as freelancing, entrepreneurship, or remote work, empowering yourself to create opportunities independent of traditional employment.
- Take proactive steps to build a diverse skill set and network, increasing your resilience in the face of economic uncertainties.
- Seek financial independence by managing your expenses, saving, and investing wisely, reducing reliance on external sources for financial security.
Step 20: Health and Wellness Responsibility
Description:
Take ownership of your health and wellness by prioritizing self-care and proactive health management.
Implementation:
- Avoid relying solely on healthcare professionals to maintain your well-being, instead, take proactive steps to prioritize preventive care and healthy lifestyle choices.
- Educate yourself about nutrition, exercise, and mental health practices that promote overall well-being and longevity.
- Take charge of your health by making informed decisions about healthcare options and treatments, seeking professional guidance when necessary.
Specific Details:
- Cultivate healthy habits such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, and stress management to support your physical and mental well-being.
- Advocate for preventive healthcare measures and early detection screenings to catch potential health issues before they become serious.
- Take responsibility for managing chronic conditions or illnesses by adhering to treatment plans and seeking support from healthcare professionals and support networks.
COMPREHENSIVE CONTENT
Speech by Brian Tracy
A boy becomes a man when a man is needed. I’ve seen boys 40 years old because a man was never needed. You’re about to hear a life-changing speech from Brian Tracy. Relax, take notes, and watch this entire video so you don’t miss anything that can have a huge impact on your life.
Taking Charge of Your Life
One of the most important decisions you ever make is to move from child to adult. We’re conditioned from infancy to see ourselves as children, with others in charge of our lives. They make our decisions for us, tell us what to eat and when to eat, when to go and when to come, buy our clothes, and take care of us, among other things. So, we are conditioned, if we’re not careful, to see that we are provided for by people other than ourselves. We are told what to do by big people, by other people. Most people never get over this; they never make the move from child to adult. And when they grow up, they think that somebody else should be taking care of them—a boss, an employer, or, worse, a government. Government should be providing for me, and I don’t care how they provide. It doesn’t matter what they do, but I think they should provide for me and take care of me. And so, we remain children all our lives. Steinbeck wrote a book, wrote a story many years ago, which I was required to study in high school. It talks about a young man who now has to make a big decision. And she says, her friend says, “But he’s only a boy.” She said, “A boy becomes a man when a man is needed. I’ve seen boys 40 years old because a man was never needed.”
And it’s the same thing—a woman becomes a woman when a woman is needed. And there are women 40 and 50 years old because a woman was never needed. They would continually look for someone else. So, we say, the slogan of the totally responsible person is, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me.” If it’s to be, it’s up to me. We do not look to other people as the solutions for our problems. And what we do is, Henry Ford said, “Never complain, never explain.” In other words, if you’re not happy with something, change it, but don’t complain about it.
Complaining is a sign of weakness, but it’s also a sign of victimhood. A person who complains is saying, basically, “I’m a victim. I am a victim.” Somebody was talking to the actor who plays Aaron in 24. I had lunch with him on Tuesday with Nathaniel Brandon. He was saying, and he’s become a speaker as well, he’s saying you can always tell when people have their lives out of control when they talk about things that are being done to them. “He did this to me. She did that to me. They did this to me. The company did this to me.” They’re always saying, “I’m a victim. I’m weak. I’m little. I’m ineffectual. I’m a child. I’m a victim. I’m a victim. Please feel sorry for me.” And what this does is that it guts your self-esteem. It just takes away all your motivation and all your self-confidence. So even the choice of words can be very bad. So we say there is a deep valley between maturity and immaturity called the valley of excuses. And this is one of my contributions. And we say that in life, you come to this.
Crossing the Valley of Excuses
Valley, this Canyon, and on this side is childhood and immaturity, and on this side is adulthood and maturity, and this is the canyon. You come to this point, and you have to make a decision to take the big leap. But what most people do is they take the leap tentatively, and they try to cross the canyon of excuses, and this is the canyon of excuses. I try to cross it in two jumps, and they end up in the valley of excuses. And the value of excuses is one of the greatest obstacles to success in adult life. We make excuses. I often say that 80% of the population goes to Someday Isle whenever they think of a change they want to make in their life. They go to Sunday Isle. Someday, I’ll do that, and someday I’ll write that down, and someday I’ll buy that book, and someday I’ll upgrade my skills, and lose weight, and get out of debt, and someday I’ll change my lousy relationship, and so on. And then they end up in the valley of excuses. So your job as a fully functioning adult when you reach here is to make a leap to the other side. And once you’ve made a leap to the other side, there’s no going back. And this leap of accepting total responsibility for your life is scary. That’s why most people don’t do it. It’s also exhilarating because it liberates you to say, “I am in charge of my own life. It’s me that’s in charge.” So your job is to leap over the valley of excuses, accept total responsibility for your life, and never go back.
So we say that, yeah, I hope I’m not getting ahead of myself. Um, the disease Excusitis, which is an inflammation of the excuse-making gland, is invariably fatal to success. The reason that people don’t succeed is because they have excuses. You cannot imagine a leader weeping, whining, crying, and making excuses. As Mark Twain said, “There are a thousand excuses for failure, but never a good reason.” So one of the things that we do is there’s no more excuses. Either do it or don’t do it. Get in or get out, but I don’t make excuses. And so we say, number six, acceptance of responsibility is not optional. It is mandatory. I mentioned this before, but I cannot be too emphatic. Is that you can only give away control. You cannot give away responsibility. You remain responsible for yourself for your entire adult life. You can give away control by trying to make someone else responsible for your life. And you do, and then you wait for them to tell you what to do or what not to do or to give you a raise or to promote you or demote you or hire you or something else. Or you can accept responsibility, and accepting responsibility is mandatory. You cannot go any further. You are literally blocked in place almost like there’s a wall in front of you until you accept responsibility and make the leap and never make another excuse.
So we say that the word responsibility can be broken down into two words: response and ability. It is your ability to respond. The challenge-response theory of history is a fascinating part of history that I came across in studying the work of a Gunnar Myrdal who got an Academy Award for his work. He said that every civilization in history began with a small tribe. Sometimes as small as three. The Mongol history, the Mongol Empire, which was the largest Empire in the history of man on Earth, which extended from the Sea of Japan all the way to the Danube in Europe, and all the way through the Middle East, and all of China, and half of India, started off with three people. Genghis Khan, whose name was Timojin, his brother, and his brother. Doesn’t, excuse me. Anyway, there are three of them. They’re trying, been wiped out. They ran into the Gobi desert and hid. And what Timogen did was he sought out the tribe of his. And so, what happens is every single tribe, that group became an Empire, started off with a major challenge to which they had to respond effectively. Well, this was a major challenge. The tribe was wiped out. So he responded by joining his uncle’s tribe and becoming a valued member of his uncle’s tribe. And if you respond effectively, the Empire would grow. If
Growth and Conflict
Then that tribe was attacked by other tribes. If they responded effectively in one, then the Empire would grow again. As it grew, it would keep bumping up against other tribes and other kingdoms, and there would be conflict. And if they reorganized and responded effectively, they would grow again. And this would continue, and it would continue until they no longer were able to or had the will to respond. Out of the last 26 civilizations in history, 25 collapsed from within. The 26th great civilization is the American civilization. And they all collapsed from within because they became weak. They collapsed like Rome collapsed on bread and circuses, welfare for the masses, buying them off with massive taxation on the ones that were productive until finally, they guided themselves from within, the barbarians came from outside and just took over the city, and the Roman Empire disappeared.
Well, in our life, every time we respond effectively to a challenge, we grow and become stronger. We become more tenacious, and we become more confident, and we become more powerful. So the only thing that we can be sure of is challenges; your life will be one series of challenges after another. They will never stop; they will come like the waves from the ocean, problem after problem after problem. The only question is, can we respond effectively? And if you do, you continue to grow. As soon as we stop responding effectively to the challenges of outside life, what happens is we begin to implode. So whenever you have a challenge, remember you just say, “Well, here we go again, this is what I do. I respond effectively to challenges.” And the wonderful thing is, and I learned this in the metaphysics, make the decision that no matter what happens, you will respond effectively and pre-program yourself. So no matter what happens, I respond effectively. No matter what problem I have in life, I take charge of it. I accept responsibility, and I respond effectively. If you make that decision in advance, then when the problem occurs, it’s almost like they push the automatic button; you’re already set, and you respond effectively. You don’t even have to think, “What should I do in this situation?” You just respond in an effective way. You don’t get upset or angry or weep or cry or lash out at other people. What you do is you say, “It’s a problem, so we respond effectively. What do we do from here?” Very, very important; this attitude is the attitude of the leader. So civilizations grow and decline to the degree to which they meet challenges and respond effectively, just as individuals grow or decline to the degree to which they meet challenges effectively.
Responsibility in Political Arena
So the three areas of life where responsibility is essential, first of all, is the political area. The more you vote for politicians to do things for you, the more you give politicians control. And unfortunately, every civilization in history has elected politicians who promise to rob from Peter to give the money to Paul. And as they say, when someone promises to rob Peter and pay Paul, they will always have the support of Paul. Okay, and basically, this is modern politics in the western world today. Japan has almost collapsed on this; most of the other Western countries are in a state of bankruptcy or collapse because the politicians are too weak not to give people what they want, which is free money. So whenever you vote for somebody who promises to give free money to other…
Responsibility in Social and Economic Context
Groups remember, they’re going to get it from you. And what happens is the less money you have, the less power you have over your own life. The second area has to do with the economic world. The economic world is where you accept, you become an economic adult. As an economic adult, you take charge of your own career, you make your own career decisions. You don’t hope that somebody else will give you a job and a place to sit and tell you what to do and what not to do. You see yourself as self-employed; you see yourself as in charge of your own personal career. I write on this on a regular basis; I do books and articles on it because there’s so many people going through unemployment, and what they do is they go hat in hand, and they say, “Please hire me, please give me a place out of the cold, please give me money for something.” And instead of taking charge of their lives, they look upon someone out there who’s supposed to be responsible for them, and this just makes you a child. And you switch the childhood focus from your parents to your boss, and your boss becomes your new parent.
The third area is health and wellness. Many of us do not take good care of our bodies. We expect the doctor to take care of us once we become sick. If there were no doctors or if you were in a place where doctors were very hard to come by, you’d probably take much better care of your health. But responsibility, taking charge of your life, is very important because there’s a direct link between responsibility and self-esteem. The more responsibility you accept, the more you like yourself, and the more powerful you feel. The more you blame your problems on other people, the weaker you feel, and the less you like yourself. The two go down in tandem: high responsibility, high self-esteem; low responsibility, low self-esteem, low self-confidence, low potential for realizing all that’s possible for you. So we say the important key is this: you are always free to choose the quality of your emotional life, you’re always free to choose the quality of your emotional life, your physical life, and your financial life.
Now, this is quite a remarkable thing, is it’s your choice. What Barbara and I realized this many years ago, our daughter Christina confronted us and said, you know, she was under 13, 14, attractive blonde, beautiful girl. Fathers have a sort of a soft spot for their daughters because fathers spend the first half of their lifetimes trying to get other people’s daughters to do what we try to talk our daughters out of doing for the second half of our lifetime. And so we know that boys are no damn good, and we were, and so we’re trying to protect Christina as she sat us down and she lectured to us like we had been brought home from the home and we were just being lectured to us as not very very intelligent adults. She said, “Look, you can’t watch me all the time.” So all setting up all these boundaries and markers and do this and you must call me here and everything else, you can’t watch me all the time. I’m going to make my own decisions, you just have to trust that you’ve raised me well enough, said I’ll make good decisions for myself. And Barbara and I realized that she was right, and we said, okay, from now on, you make your own decisions, and whatever decisions you make, we’ll support you 100. And that’s just become the mantra in our family, whatever decisions you make, we support you 100. And I have a little joke with my children, I say, I’ve never forced you to do anything, and I’ve never forbidden you to do anything. And they have to agree, you have never forced you, you must do this, and I’ve never forbidden you, you cannot do that, unless of course, they want to spend enormous amounts of my money, in which case we just have to have a longer conversation. But I’ve always encouraged them to make their own decisions, and I’m not always agreed with their decisions, but I always back them 100 percent, and most of the decisions that they’ve made have turned out to be very good decisions. It’s amazing how good their decisions are when they are responsible for making their own decisions.
Empowerment Through Decision Making
And wouldn’t you agree with that? Would you agree? Okay. My son is here, and he told me not to call him out, so I won’t mention that he’s here. I won’t mention that my son Israel, he could be sitting right next to you, you never know which one he is in his room, alright? So you’re always free to choose the quality, you’re always free to make your own decisions, and that’s important. You mean I can make my own decisions? Yes, you can make your own decisions. When I was growing up, I was always told, “Do this, do that, do this, do that,” and I hated it. And so in my family, everybody’s encouraged to make their own decisions, and my deal is, whatever decision you make, I back you 100. And there’s nothing more wonderful, I think, than for people to know that the important people in their lives back them 100. Does that mean that you always make good decisions? No, but you always know that you’re backed 100, and you know that if it’s your decision, it doesn’t work out, they’ll change that decision very fast. They will. They will reverse themselves very quickly if it’s their decision.
