Shortform note: To tell your story effectively, consider using a time-tested storytelling formula, as Donald Miller proposes in Building a StoryBrand. He’s a reminder to never get so confident as to underestimate an opponent such as Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who led the revolt that exiled him. If you find yourself needing to process a tough situation, you can open up the book, reread “The Eight Traits of a Great Processor,” and refresh your memory. We’ll also connect Bet-David’s ideas to those of other entrepreneurs and business leaders, such as Eric Ries ( The Lean Startup) and Gino Wickman ( Traction), so you get the greatest insight on how to build a successful long-term strategy for your business. Twenty years later, I can tell you that clarity comes from making decisions that are aligned with your core beliefs and values.

There are a TON of take aways, but while I consider myself (and have been told) to be pretty well rounded when it comes to strategizing and business, I had never actually considered what truly makes me tic. In the first three steps, you learned about yourself, developed the ability to solve problems, and learned how to create a winning team. Then life gets in the way, the plans don’t happen the way we thought they would, and we lose faith in our ability to focus on who we want to be.We may even start to think, “Hey, what’s the point in saying I’m going to do something big if I’m not going to follow through?

If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page. My most successful entrepreneurs didn’t all have miserable childhoods, but somebody said they couldn’t, and they are still pissed. Shortform note: Bet-David asserts that often when you accept outside funding, you cede a degree of control to the investor. I hope the tools in this chapter will lead to some breakthroughs and get you onto the path to knowing who you truly want to be. If looking at Walt Disney doesn’t inspire you, keep a picture of Mickey Mouse or a stuffed Mickey in your office.It is just not compelling; it is a mediocre text at best; and, by the end of the audiobook I was really like, " So what? Trusting employee relationships lead to speedier internal operations, which, in turn, helps sustain momentum. You will never reach your goals unless you act like the person you want to be from the very beginning. Really take the time to get clear about your story—exactly who you want to be—or you won’t be able to soldier on when things get tough.