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Hip Hop Hope

When THRIVE! co-founder Jim Hill told me there was a free self-improvement book available for download through the iTunes Store, I raced to my computer. This should come as no surprise, since I'm a success nerd and a cheapskate all rolled into one. (A total package.) I logged on, downloaded the book, transferred it to my beloved iPod, and headed to the car. In less than 2 minutes, I was armed with hours of wisdom and motivation.

I read and listen to books as a constant reminder to be diligent on the road to success. Some are better than others, but I usually have at least a few takeaways from each. I always enjoy a good self-improvement book, but this one gave me even more than I expected.

The book in question is "Do You! 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success" by hip hop mogul Russell Simmons. Some people might not think "The Godfather of Hip Hop" is a natural choice for a book on success, but they should stop to recognize all that he's accomplished. Simmons' initial success came as the co-founder of the Def Jam record label. He parlayed this success into the creation of Def Comedy Jam, the Phat Farm line of clothing, and the production of a number of television and movie titles. He's dedicated his life to hip hop, mental and physical wellness, and mentorship. Sounds like he's pretty well qualified to me.

Before I share what I've gleaned from "Do You!", I should provide a quick bit of context. I've read or listened to dozens and dozens of self-improvement books over the last fifteen years. (Told you I was a success nerd.) The "dirty little secret" of the self-improvement industry is that there's really no mystery on how to become successful. If you conducted a careful examination of my bookshelf, you'd see a significant amount of overlap in the "tips" found in these books. (You'd also see a stack of old Cosmo magazines, but I've been meaning to recycle those.) From book to book, the basic success principles have remained unchanged over decades.

So, it's not too shocking that Russell Simmons' book offers a number of "laws" that are quite familiar. Still, I'm loving this book. How is that possible?

The "dirty little secret" for those of us who want to be more successful is that while the principles can be found in a number of great books, we don't live by them. (Ouch.) At least not always. I'll be the first to admit that I do not feel I am living my full potential at the moment. I'm happy to recognize that I'm a work in progress. (That explains my bookshelf.) But when I read different success books, sometimes a review of the material or the author's particular approach helps me break through and raise my game.

Which brings me back to "Do You!". Here are a few quick things I'm taking away from Simmons:

The power of a different perspective. No one would confuse me with a hip hop icon. I like hip hop music, but I lack a certain "street cred". In "Do You!", I've enjoyed hearing about success through Simmons' anecdotes of hustling to sell his records, working his way up from the streets, and his emphasis on "keeping it real". He reflects on conversations he's had with Puffy, Will Smith, and Jay-Z. How cool is that?

The power of an authentic voice. Simmons' voice is inseparable from his message. In the audiobook version, the voice you hear is actually that of hip hop poet Black Ice, but here I'm talking about Simmons' figurative voice. I'm not sure I've ever heard classic success authors like Brian Tracy or Jack Canfield drop an F-bomb or urge readers to take action "before it's time to get in the box". It's exactly this authenticity that makes the book so special and impactful.

The power of the spiritual side. Having known little about Simmons, I was surprised to learn about his emphasis for the spiritual. He offers a compelling notion that the path of self-improvement comes from divine inspiration. He talks of the higher self and a communion with God. He also intertwines examples from Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism to make his points. He makes a passionate plea for yoga, and encourages troubled youth to turn to a healthy lifestyle of meditation and away from substance abuse and the ills of a street lifestyle.

The power of living the lessons. I mentioned earlier that I don't feel I've reached my full potential. I can also honestly say that I'm not living the laws that Simmons has laid down. For this reason, I can't claim that the laws don't work and walk away. I can only resolve to improve, in some small way, every day until I reach my objective.

I've learned that inspiration comes in many forms and sometimes from the unexpected. I was happy that Jim turned me on to Simmons' book, and I'm glad I took the two minutes to download it. It has really helped to reorient my thoughts on success. It's rekindled my passion for the success business, and I'm more motivated than ever to help others succeed in the process.

If you ever find that what you're doing isn't working, you've got to change things up a bit. Look for inspiration from a source you wouldn't have considered in the past and be open to alternative views and approaches. If you can do that, don't be surprised if you get more than you bargained for.

Coaching Quickie: Hip Hop Hope

Check back next week for results!

Last Week's Results

Coaching Quickie: On Time and On the Money
How well are you investing your time?

(00%) I'm making all the right moves like Warren Buffet.
(73%) My portfolio is pretty well-balanced.
(18%) I'm living for the moment like Jimmy Buffet.
(09%) I'm trying not to think about it. Or my finances.