I have been listening to and watching Les Brown’s audio and video programs for a couple of years now. His messages have always been inspiring and encouraging.

Les Brown is a highly respected motivational speaker, television personality, and author of the acclaimed Live Your Dreams and It’s Not Over Till You Win.

Two weekends ago, it has been a great privilege to hear Mr. Brown live in person at the National Congress of Achievers. I am very grateful to God for giving me the opportunity to learn more life lessons.

Here are some powerful messages from Les Brown that I would like to share:

Create the life you want

One of the most important things to do for yourself is to choose a goal that is important to you. If you need to set goals for your career, find a job or career that is important to you. It has to go beyond the bills you pay.

Create a higher purpose for doing what you do. Find something you enjoy doing and build your goals around it. Do something you like to do. Something that resonates with your spirit.

See yourself beyond your circumstance

Many of us tend to make our fears more powerful than our dreams. You can accept fear as an emotion, but not as a force that stops you. Stop playing it safe. You have to become a risk taker. You can’t fit a big life into a small version of the way you think. You are chosen to be on this path. Believe that everything goes as it should. You can create unlimited possibilities.

See yourself confronting your fears in your mind’s eye and handling those fears like a champ. Tell yourself that you are more than capable.

Get the BEST out of yourself and others

Do not feel in your greatness, each of us has the responsibility to put your gifts to work.

Tell others that all the best is within them. Inspire others to look for it within and bring it out for the world to marvel at.

Don’t worry about your competition. Focus on yourself. Someone’s opinion of you doesn’t have to be your reality.

Work hard and preserve

A key to success: if you do what is easy, your life will be difficult. If you do what is difficult, your life will be easy.

Take risk. Stand up for what you want and don’t let anyone keep you from pursuing your dream.

Knowledge is the new currency

Constantly improve yourself. Every day, commit to doing better and becoming more knowledgeable. Be determined to handle any challenge in a way that makes you grow. You cannot allow your life to run on autopilot, waiting for life to act on you. You must act on life.

Everyday is a gift

Every day is a gift filled with limitless possibilities to overcome our fear, self-limiting beliefs, and mediocrity to fulfill our purpose. Make each day count by setting goals to succeed, then do your best to exceed your expectations.