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People are always asking me what it is I do, how long I’ve been doing it and how I got there…and my answer can be REALLY long or REALLY short. I’ll save y’all the long answer for now and just tell you that I’ve simply outworked my competition. For the past 5 years, I’ve done whatever it took to get the job done and then some. But it wasn’t until I read Kevin Liles book “Make It Happen” that I got on this track to success. It was October 26, 2005, when I was still an intern working for free, that I first scribbled his 10 rules to success on a piece of paper and carried it with me in my pocket everywhere. I knew I wanted to be in this business more than anything, but I didn’t know how to make it happen (no pun intended). I had no connects or experience…I was just a white boy that loved hip-hop who was ready to work day and night to make an impression on somebody.

So I studied this book from cover to cover like it was the bible….Now I won’t say this book alone or just knowing the rules that Kevin laid out are the reason I’m sitting here writing about it today, in fact its far from it, but what it did was show me that if I was to ever be successful…if I ever wanted to live the Fast Life, then I was gonna have to outwork, outwit and outlast the competition (cue the Survivor theme music LOL). Just doing what your told won’t get you to the top…you have to do what your told and everything else that you’re not!

I recently found that piece of paper that I used to carry with me everywhere and I started studying it all over again and asking myself if I was still following the rules…So for those that don’t know or anyone looking for the same answers I was 5 years ago; here is “the hip-hop generations guide to success.” Hope it helps you as much as it helped me!

Rule # 1 Find Your Will
Look deep inside to discover the things you really love to do. You will need that passion to drive you to make it happen despite all the hard knocks along the way.

Rule # 2 Do You
Discover your flavor, then package it and present it to the world. From the way you tie your shoelaces to how you get down to business, YOU are your best brand.

Rule # 3 Walk This Way
Get Educated. Whether it’s in college or the school of life, find a mentor, read and research. Knowledge will give you the tools to make it happen.

Rule # 4 Create A Blueprint
Create a vision of what you want from life and draw a roadmap to success. Make planning and attention to detail part of the way you live your life.

Rule # 5 Play Your Position
Don’t act like your too good for it. Have the humility to do your job and then some. Whether it’s answering the phone or digging ditches, doing something to the best of your ability is a reflection of who you are.

Rule # 6 Embrace Struggle
Love the hard times because they make you stronger, wiser, and more willing to take risks. Hard times breed tolerance and compassion. Failure teaches you how to do it better.

Rule # 7 Get Connected
Build relationships to last forever. Success in business is built on personal networks. Kindness, tolerance and service will bring business.

Rule # 8 Step Outside Your Box
Be open to people from all walks of life. Reach out to those who are different from the usual crowd on your corner. Going global will help you blow it up even bigger.

Rule # 9 Don’t Let Cash Rule
Greed will only trip you up. Understand that money matters, but only as a means to freedom, access, options and security for the future. Learn how to make money work for you.

Rule # 10 Flex Purpose, Not Power.
It’s never too early to lea