The Three Rules
A Guide to Success
Success isn't just about luck or waiting for the right moment—it’s about actively pursuing what you want and being bold enough to take chances. There are three fundamental rules that anyone striving for success must understand. If you do not go after what you want, you will never get there. If you do not ask, the answer will always be no. If you do not step forward, you will remain in the same place. Let’s break these down:
1. If You Do Not Go After What You Want, You Will Never Get There
The first rule is simple: you have to go after what you want. You cannot sit idly by and expect life to deliver success to you. To make progress, you need to take action. Think about it this way—when you see someone you’re interested in, do you just watch them walk away, or do you muster the courage to approach them? If you’re too shy or afraid of rejection, you might let the opportunity slip by. This happens in life and business all the time.
How many opportunities have you missed because you were too comfortable with failure, too scared of what success might bring? You hesitate because you’re afraid of the responsibilities that come with success—what happens if you make too much money? What if you have to hire people or deal with increased taxes? What if your success makes you lose friends or attract unwanted attention?
Let me ask you this—what happens if you don’t go after it? If you remain complacent and never take the leap, what is your alternative? Something like 40% of Americans can't afford a $400 emergency. Imagine living paycheck to paycheck, not being able to afford medical bills or even a funeral for a loved one. Comfort is an illusion when real consequences are on the line.
You have to get off your ass if you want anything in life. You have to act.
2. If You Do Not Ask, The Answer Will Always Be No
The second rule is all about asking. Whether it’s for a discount at a restaurant, a special deal at a hotel, or the sale you’re hoping to close—if you don’t ask, the answer is automatically no. Every time I go to a restaurant, I ask about specials or potential discounts. When I stay at hotels, I ask for free perks, like upgraded rooms or free parking. You would be surprised by what you can get just by asking.
This same principle applies in business. Asking for the sale may seem daunting, but it brings you closer to a deal. Asking helps you understand objections or concerns, giving you the opportunity to address them and move forward.
Imagine this scenario: You’re at the bar talking to a beautiful woman all night. You’re engaged in great conversation, but you never ask for her name or number. You go home that night thinking about how amazing she was, only to see her with someone else next time. Had you simply asked, you could have been that new boyfriend. The same goes for opportunities in business. If you don’t ask for what you want, you’ll never get it.
3. If You Do Not Step Forward, You Will Remain in the Same Place
The third and final rule is stepping forward. If you stay in your comfort zone for too long, you’ll remain stagnant. You need to take risks and move forward to create change. If you spend ten years at a job, you’re making your boss rich while keeping yourself poor. Success comes when you’re willing to take that leap and make a change.
Take Will Smith, for example. In the 90s, Will was a successful rapper, but after a flop album left him broke, he had to make a decision. His girlfriend suggested he go see Arsenio Hall, where he was invited to a party. It was there that Quincy Jones offered him the opportunity to audition for a new show called The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Will had ten minutes to prepare for the audition, but he didn’t back down. He took that chance, auditioned, and signed papers for his new show later that night. The rest, as they say, is history.
Sometimes life offers you only one shot at success. You have to take the leap. When I was pitched to launch my first radio talk show, I had just two weeks to figure everything out. I had to find investors, come up with money, and figure out how to make it work. I was broke, but I knew this opportunity would change my life, so I made it happen. Now I’m rich. People love me and some people hate me, but that’s the price of success.
If you want something in life, go after it. Make it happen. Do not sit around waiting for it to come to you—it won’t.
