A self-made billionaire, entrepreneur, Daymond John knows what it meant to be a hustle. He is a businessman, investor, and author on the hit reality show Shark Tank. He is the founder of FUBU and Shark Group.
John always worked hard to achieve his dreams, but he always had an entrepreneurial spirit. As a teenager, he enrolled in a program that allowed him to work full-time at Red Lobster and attend school alternatively weekly.
He started his entrepreneurial journey with a Commuter Van Service. But he came across a niche in the clothing market- he learned to sew and started the FUBU branch out of his mother's apartment. With a keen eye for marketing, he gifted the clothing to rappers in New York, eventually getting LL Cool J to wear his brand hat.
Suddenly FUBU brand was well-recognized and began getting orders, and it grew to be a huge success. Today brand crossed over $6 billion. And guess what? John achieved all his goals by listening to his guts.
So What Daymond John's Story tells us?
Well, one thing to note, that man knew how to hustle. From an early age, his work ethic was indisputable. And since splitting time between a full-time job and work ethic, John never lost his focus. He was always on the grind.
In addition, to gaining business skills, the grind also provided John with new opportunities. In an interview with CNBC, John talks about the grind and how it gave an exceptional advantage to him.
Working on yourself, or being in the grind, allows you time to think for yourself. It gives time to think and solve tough questions. It gives time to say, "What do I really want out of life?" and "Why did I get up today?"
Defining what you want to achieve in life is a tough question. Still, few questions are more important. But unless you focus on the work, you will always get distracted instead of focusing on goals.
John's point here cannot be overstated.
Unless you make efforts and focus on your work, think carefully, and make choices about the future, the world will decide about you.
And once you find what you want to achieve, keep learning, educate yourself, work hard, and go after the goals with everything you've.
Here's one additional point from John about choosing the correct path.
Everyone has their opinion on how to live life - your friends, society, religion, spouse, kids, and your parents. But make your own choice instead of asking others, because that's the only way to be happy.
Even though it's difficult and scary to follow and focus on your dreams, choosing your path creates long-term success. So forget what everyone else says, make a plan, choose your own path, and keep working hard to achieve the goals.
"You have got to find time for yourself and do exactly what you want. That is what the grind is," says John.