Who is Les Brown
Les Brown is one of the most well known motivational speakers in the world. He was born in Miami, abandoned as a baby along with his twin brother, and adopted by a loving mother. His story did not start in comfort. From the very beginning life gave him reasons to quit.
The Power of Labels
In school Les was held back a grade and labeled mentally challenged. For years he carried that label as if it were true. He would even repeat it to teachers and classmates whenever he was asked to do something difficult. One teacher changed his life by telling him that just because someone else said it did not make it so. That shift opened the door to a new belief about himself.
Why Words Matter
Think about how we react when someone says something untrue. If someone told you they did not like your purple hair you would laugh it off. Your hair is not purple. But when someone calls us lazy or selfish it hits differently. We start to wonder if maybe they are right. The danger is when we allow those words to stick and shape how we see ourselves.
Seizing Opportunity
Les Brown kept showing up at a radio station after being rejected over and over. One day the DJ was sick and the station gave Les a chance. He was ready. That moment launched his career. It reminds us that what looks like luck to others is often persistence and preparation meeting the right moment.
The Lesson of Not Yet
Les teaches us that failure does not mean stop. It simply means not yet. What feels impossible is usually just difficult. If you are willing to keep working and keep preparing the right door will eventually open.
Building Step by Step
Les did not try to do everything at once. He mastered radio before moving into television. He built his speaking career before expanding into training programs and courses. Success is about going deep before going wide. Just like Domino’s started with pizza before adding wings and pasta we should focus on mastering one lane before we diversify.
Giving Back
Even after he found success Les never forgot his community. He created programs, spoke in schools, and invested in helping others succeed. He proved that true success is not just about making it yourself but helping others rise with you.
The Value You Create
Today Les Brown’s net worth is estimated around twelve million dollars. More important than the money is the millions of lives he has touched. His story proves that the value you create in the world will be directly connected to the results you see in your own life.
A Final Word for You
If nobody has told you today let me be that person. You are capable. You are not inadequate. You already have everything inside of you to create the life you imagine. Keep showing up. Keep preparing. Keep planting seeds. Your harvest will come.
More articles you may enjoy:
- Chasing Happiness by Rising to the Challenge
- How Chasing Happiness Will Help You Catch Greatness
- Chasing Happiness with Dr. Mae Jemison (Restore Black Wealth)
- Chasing Happiness with Dr. Philip Emeagwali (Restore Black Wealth)
- Chasing Happiness with Thurgood Marshall (Restore Black Wealth)
Until next time,
Dre “Better Self ,Better Wealth” Griggs
Sources: Robert F Smith: https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/smith-robert-f-1962/
Do college grads earn more than high school grads? https://www.cornerstone.edu/blogs/lifelong-learning-matters/post/do-college-grads-really-earn-more-than-high-school-grads