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Walt Disney was one of those extraordinary individuals whose imagination has literally transformed the world. He created a cartoon character mouse, called him Mickey Mouse and turned him into an instant celebrity over night. This one cartoon character soon turned Walt’s business into one of the most powerful and influential entertainment companies on the planet.

Having created a media conglomerate, Walt set out on another dream that almost nobody believed could be achieved. He wanted to create a place; a place where he could make other people’s dreams come true — a land of imagination and fantasy that would bring joy to millions around the world. It would become his greatest challenge and life’s work, teaching him lessons about success, achievement, creativity, innovation, adversity and much, much more. And it’s these lessons that he will be sharing with us today.

What follows is a transcript of a hypothetical conversation I had with Walt Disney. I’ve taken Walt’s words statements that have been commonly attributed to Walt Disney, and turned them into a dialogue about all aspects of success, achievement, creativity and much, much more as they relate to our modern era. The interview provides many tremendous insights into the mind of this incredibly individual.

Please keep in mind that many of these quotes are written word-for-word as Walt Disney spoke them. However, at times I have added additional words in order to spark further discussion and linkages between topics.

As you read through this transcript I’m confident you will discover the qualities, traits, attitudes, values, and beliefs that took an ordinary man with a dream, and turned him into a creative business tycoon who transformed the world through the use of his imagination and resolute determination to make his vision a reality. Moreover, I hope you find inspiration in Walt’s words to help you with your life’s endeavors.

An Interview with Walt Disney

I’ve broken down this interview into specific topics that Walt Disney has been famously quoted on. These topics include:

• Dreams
• Creativity
• Imagination
• Curiosity
• Adversity
• Success

Let us now invite Walt Disney into the studio and pick his brain about life, living and dreaming.

Walt Disney on Dreams

Adam: You have achieved a great many things over the course of your life. In fact, most people would consider your achievements quite extraordinary. You overcome incredible odds and turned a dream you held in your imagination into reality. Can you tell use how you managed to achieve such a feat?

Disney: All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.

Adam: In other words, what you’re saying is that if you can dream it, you can do it. Is that correct?

Disney: Yes, if you can dream it, you can do it. Somehow I can’t believe there are any heights that can’t be scaled by a man who knows the secret of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four C’s. They are Curiosity, Confidence, Courage, and Constancy, and the greatest of these is Confidence. When you believe a thing, believe it all the way, implicitly and unquestionably.

Adam: Of course, believing in something certainly helps. But how does this belief translate into achieving something that others thought was impossible to do. There were certainly a lot of naysayers in your life.

Disney: Yes (with a smirk), it’s kind of fun to do the impossible. If you dream it, you can do it. Fantasy and reality often overlap, and within this lies the hidden key to success.

Adam: I don’t quite understand.

Disney: The era we are living in today is a dream of coming true. However, many people out there still don’t realize this.

Adam: Yes, this is certainly an age of opportunity. With technology moving forward and evolving so quickly, and things changing around us rapidly, there are certainly a lot of opportunities we can take advantage of that could help us make our dreams come true. However, I think that the opportunities are far more accessible to the younger generation, and especially to kids who are “possibility-thinkers”.

Disney: Adam, why do we have to grow up? I know more adults who have the children’s approach to life… They are not afraid to be delighted with simple pleasure, and they have a degree of contentment with what life has brought — sometimes it isn’t much either.

Walt Disney on Creativity, Imagination and Curiosity

Adam: Yes, I guess that’s very true. We must be child-like to a certain degree if we desire to tap into our imaginations and take advantage of the opportunities that come our way. This is especially important in this rapidly changing social environment we live in.

Disney: Certainly, every child is born blessed with a vivid imagination. But just as muscles grow flabby with disuse, so the bright imagination of a child pales in later years if he ceases to exercise it.

Adam: Yes, that’s very true. As the saying goes: if you don’t use it, you will lose it. But how can we keep our imaginations strong? How can we as adults find what we lost so long ago?

Disney: Adam, there is more treasure in books than in all the pirates’ loot on Treasure Island and at the bottom of the Spanish Main… and best of all, you can enjoy these riches every day of your life. That is how you strengthen your imagination.

Adam: That’s very interesting. Books can certainly spark our imaginations, which can lead to new insights and creative ideas. I’m personally an avid proponent of visual thinking. I feel that visual thinking is the key that can ignite incredible innovation. In fact, I’m in the process of putting together a visual thinking framework that will hopefully assist with this process. Do you have any thoughts about visual thinking and how it can be used to help innovate in this day-and-age?

Disney: Of all the inventions for mass communication, pictures still speak the most universally understood language. I certainly believe in being an innovator. And pictures can certainly help in that regard.

Adam: What do you feel is the key to innovation these days?

Disney: When you’re curious, you find lots of interesting things to do. I personally can never stand still. I must explore and experiment. I am never satisfied with my work. I even resent the limitations of my own imagination.

Walt Disney on Adversity and Problems

Adam: I suspect that a lifetime of experimenting has led to a great deal of adversity. How have you personally dealt with the obstacles and challenges that life has thrown your way?

Disney: All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me… You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.

Adam: It must however be very difficult at times facing all these problems. How do you find the strength to keep persevering?

Disney: We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.

Adam: That’s an awesome way to look at life. It’s obviously something you have perfected over time. However, it’s certainly something that many people struggle to grasp every single day of their lives. What advice could you give to someone who is struggling to overcome adversity?

Disney: An example from my own life is that we could ill afford to rest on our laurels, even to pause in retrospect. Times and conditions change so rapidly that we must keep our aim constantly focused on the future. We did it with Disneyland, in the knowledge that most of the people I talked to thought it would be a financial disaster — closed and forgotten within the first year.

Adam: Okay, so what you’re saying is that we must keep our gaze fixed on the future and just keep moving forward every single day. By keeping our eyes on the target, we will eventually get there. However, I guess it’s important that we never lose sight of that destination, otherwise we might end up walking in the wrong direction.

I wanted to ask you whether the obstacles and adversity you’ve faced has helped or hindered you along your journey?

Disney: I have been up against tough competition all my life. I wouldn’t know how to get along without it.

Adam: However, along your journey you must have faced very tough challenges and problems that could very well have taken you off-track. Can you give us a little insight into one of these problems?

Disney: Money. I’d say it’s been my biggest problem all my life. It takes a lot of money to make these dreams come true. However, I always look at the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter.

Adam: It seems to me as though you thrive on solving problems.

Disney: Yes, my fun is working on a project and solving problems.

Walt Disney on Success and Achievement

Adam: That’s very interesting. Many people would not see problems as being fun. Instead they see problems as these great big gorillas standing in front of them, preventing them from achieving their dreams. What advice would you give people in such instances? Where and how should they get started?

Disney: The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. The fun is in always building something. After it’s built, you play with it awhile and then you’re through. You see, we never do the same thing twice around here. We’re always opening up new doors. I’ve always been bored with just making money. I’ve wanted to do things; I wanted to build things, to get something going. However, you don’t build it for yourself. You know what the people want and you build it for them.

Adam: I guess it’s all about coming from a value perspective. Look at ways you can give value to others, and everything else will sort of take care of itself. Maybe that’s the secret to success.

Disney: The key to success comes back to confidence. When we consider a project, we really study it — not just the surface idea, but everything about it. And when we go into that new project, we believe in it all the way. We have confidence in our ability to do it right. And we work hard to do the best possible job.

Adam: So in the end, it’s all about believing in yourself and working hard to produce value for others. Would that be correct?

Disney: Yes, but there is one more element. You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality. Of all the things I’ve done, the most vital is coordinating those who work with me and aiming their efforts at a certain goal.

Adam: That makes a lot of sense. It’s all about leveraging your time, energy and effort. I guess that’s the most efficient path towards attaining financial freedom.

Disney: Yes, however, you reach a point where you don’t work for money. Some people worship money as something you’ve got to have piled up in a big pile somewhere. I’ve only thought about money in one way, and that is to do something with it. I don’t think there’s a thing I own that I will ever get the benefit of, except through doing things with it.

Adam: Hmm, I never really saw it that way. But it makes a lot of sense. What’s the point of keeping all this money lying around in a bank somewhere just wasting away when you could do something valuable with it that could help you make your mark in the world. I guess a lot of great ideas go to waste because people are simply not willing to take a chance on their own imaginations. What advice could you give to someone who is a little hesitant?

Disney: Get a good idea and stay with it. Do it, and work it until it’s done, and done right.

Adam: I’m just wondering though, how one would come up with a good idea in the first place.

Disney: Whenever I go on a ride (at Disneyland), I’m always thinking of what’s wrong with the thing and how it can be improved. That is how I generate some of my best ideas.

Adam: You mentioned earlier that ideas can also be acquired through books.

Disney: Yes, however there are fashions in reading, even in thinking. You don’t have to follow them unless you want to. On the other hand, watch out. Don’t stick too closely to your favorite subject. That would keep you from adventuring into other fields. It’s silly to build a wall around your interests.

Adam: That’s a very valuable insight. Thank you for sharing that. We definitely need to stretch ourselves on a daily basis and venture into new areas. Only in this way can we gain the necessary experience and perspective to generate better ideas.

Disney: Also, the more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique.

Adam: Yes, and that again comes back to confidence that we’ve spoken about several times during our discussion. We must develop that confidence within ourselves in order to have the courage to step outside our comfort zones and to venture into new territories, which will likewise help us to generate new and better ideas.

These are absolutely amazing insights. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us today.

Before I let you go, I do however have one final question. This is a very important question, and in fact it’s a question I asked Albert Einstein during our interview. This is a question that a lot of male listeners are dying to know the answer to. The question is: What is the secret to understanding women?

Disney: I love Mickey Mouse more than any woman I have ever known. And that’s all there is to know.

How to Use this iQuote Matrix

The above conversation with Walt Disney provides an overview of the iQuote Matrix (found top of this post) that you can download for free and use as a reference wall poster. It’s an ideal reference tool for those wanting to model Walt’s psychology or simply for those interested to learn more about this great man.

This iQuote Matrix is designed with three purposes in mind:

• Firstly, the quotations are designed to provide you with insights into Walt Disney’s personality, qualities, mindset, belief systems and attitude.
• Secondly, the power words extending from the middle branches are designed to pinpoint key qualities and behaviors that distinguished Walt Disney.
• Thirdly, key questions and statements extending from the quotations are designed to help you mimic Walt Disney’s thinking style and approach to life.

Designed for Printing

An iQuote Matrix is designed for printing and pinning up on a wall. In fact, it is best used as a reference wall poster to keep you focused throughout the day. Simply print it out, hang it up, and refer to it consistently. In time, the knowledge shared within, will become fully integrated into your life, habits, decisions, behavior and actions.

Click here to download a pdf copy of this iQuote Matrix

I hope you find this tool of value. Please feel free to share your thoughts, feedback and suggestions in the comments below.

| Free PDF Download | IQ Matrix Gallery | MasterMind Matrix | FAQ |

Albert Einstein is without question one of the greatest and most recognized icons of the past hundred years. His accomplishments and discoveries have challenged how we think while radically altering our perspective of reality.

Most of us know Einstein through television documentaries and books. He comes across as a little bit of a nutty professor at times, however this couldn’t be further from the truth. Einstein was not only a scientist, but also an inspirational and successful individual who has taught us valuable lessons about what it takes to make a mark in this world.

What follows is a transcript of a hypothetical conversation I had with Albert Einstein. I’ve taken Einstein’s words statements that have been commonly attributed to Einstein, and turned them into a dialogue about all aspects of success, achievement, creativity and much, much more as they relate to our modern era. The interview provides many tremendous insights into the mind of this great man.

Please keep in mind that many of these quotes are written word-for-word as Einstein spoke them. However, at times I have added additional words in order to spark further discussion and linkages between topics.

As you read through this transcript I’m confident you will discover the qualities, traits, attitude, values, and beliefs that transformed a seemingly lowly patent office worker into one of the greatest scientists and thinkers of the past two thousand years of human history. Moreover, I hope you will find inspiration in Einstein’s words to help you with your life’s endeavors.

An Interview with Albert Einstein

I’ve broken down this interview into specific topics that Albert Einstein has been famously quoted on. These topics include:

• Imagination
• Simplicity
• Success
• Obstacles
• Curiosity

Let’s take a look at Einstein’s thoughts in each of these areas.

Einstein on Imagination, Creativity and Intuition

Adam: There’s been a lot of talk of late about the importance of knowledge. It is said that knowledge is the key to success and career advancement. In fact, even at school the idea of having the right kind of knowledge seems to form the bedrock of our education system. What are your thoughts about this?

Einstein: Without a doubt in my mind, imagination is far more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand. Imagination is in fact everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions. However, at the same time you must bear in mind that the wonderful things you learn in your schools are the works of many generations. All this is put in your hands as your inheritance in order that you may receive it, honor it, add to it, and one day hand it on to your children.

Adam: That’s very interesting. Schools no doubt provide a great platform for knowledge, however, imagination and creativity aren’t really encouraged at school these days. Instead it’s all about using logic, facts and information. I guess logic and knowledge are important, but we might very well be missing out on something much more powerful.

Einstein: Yes, of course. Logic will no doubt get you from A to B. However, imagination will take you everywhere. I am a scientist, and yet I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination.

Adam: Is that how you generate all these scientific theories and ideas that others at first tend to ridicule and criticize? Is it a result of your creative imagination?

Einstein: If at first, the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it. My imagination considers all possibilities even if at first some of them might seem a little on the crazy side.

Adam: I guess that imagination is probably the secret to creativity and everything you have managed to accomplish to date.

Einstein: I want to be very honest with you Adam (leaning-in to whisper). The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.

Adam: So what you’re saying is that you take ideas from other areas, people, maybe even from the environment and combine them with something else that brings your ideas and theories to fruition. Is that correct?

Einstein: Yes, that is correct. However, the only real valuable thing at that point is intuition. I use my intuition, not logic, to help make these important decisions.

Einstein on Simplicity

Adam: One thing that impresses me about your theories is the fact that you seem to be able to make the most complex of ideas sound simple.

Einstein: Yes, I endeavor to make everything as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler.

Adam: That’s very interesting. There’s all this talk these days about simplicity, simplifying your life, and clearing the clutter. I guess when it comes to idea generation this is also very relevant. When communicating our ideas to others we should probably focus more on the simplicity of our message rather than bogging people down with too much information. One powerful method that I have personally found quite valuable comes in the form of visual thinking.

Einstein: Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius — and a lot of courage — to move in the opposite direction.

Einstein on Success and Achievement

Adam: I was wondering if you had any advice for those listening about success and achievement?

Einstein: Well, the most important piece of advice I could give is to say that the world we have created is a product of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.

Adam: So what you’re saying is that our thoughts determine our reality, or at least our experience of reality.

Einstein: Actually, reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.

Adam: So, we create our reality through “thought”. I guess that makes us limitless from a certain perspective.

Einstein: Yes and no. It is only once we accept our limits, that we go beyond them.

Adam: What about those who just don’t believe in themselves and their own abilities? All they see is their limitations and nothing else.

Einstein: To them I would say that it is better to believe than to disbelieve; in so doing you bring everything to the realm of possibility.

Adam: That makes a lot of sense, however many people out there might simply not buy into this idea of just believing in something. How could just believing in something make everything possible? To those who have achieved a great deal of success in life, this might seem like reality, but what about those who are struggling to accomplish their dreams. What could you say to them? Should they just believe? Is that all it takes? What I’m really trying to get at here is how should they live their lives? What kind of mindset must they begin cultivating?

Einstein: There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other as if everything is. Once you begin living this way, everything becomes possible.

Adam: That’s a beautiful way to put it. But I guess there will be skeptics out there who will say that you’re the smartest person on the planet and you can therefore create miracles on a daily basis. What have you got to worry about? You don’t live in their world; you don’t see things from their perspective…

Einstein: Well then. They would indeed have it all wrong. You see, it’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer. You have to learn the rules of the game, and then you have to play better than anyone else. That is exactly how I solve my problems.

Adam: That’s very interesting. So the fact that you are willing to persist and stick with problems for longer while others are giving up, gives you an edge. I guess it all comes down to the attitude that we project into the universe while trying to solve our life’s problems.

Einstein: Yes indeed that is correct. Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character, and as a result nothing gets accomplished. In fact the ideals which have lighted my way, and time-after-time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been kindness, beauty, and truth.

Adam: Are they your keys to success?

Einstein: Know where to find the information and how to use it — that’s the secret to success. However, I try not to become a man of success, I rather try to become a man of value. Every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life is based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving. Humility is the key.

Einstein on Obstacles and Setbacks

Adam: That’s an awesome way to live life. We can all certainly learn from that. I wanted to ask you, what advice would you give those who constantly seem to experience obstacles and setbacks that prevent them from moving forward?

Einstein: In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. It’s as simple as that. Look for it, and you will find it.

Adam: Okay, so say a person believes that opportunity lies within every difficulty. They look for it, but can’t find it. They try really hard but don’t seem to be making any progress.

Einstein: Well if that is the case, than they must understand that one cannot alter a condition with the same mindset that created it in the first place. Have you ever heard the definition of insanity?

Adam: Um, no. I don’t think so.

Einstein: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.

Adam: Okay, so we must be flexible when approaching problems; we must be willing to look at them from a different perspective and see new possibilities. I guess when it comes down to it, some people are simply afraid of making mistakes.

Einstein: Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.

Adam: Yes, I guess that’s very true. We must not be afraid of making mistakes and of stepping outside of our comfort zone. Mistakes lead us down new paths and open new opportunity and possibilities. I guess in theory this sounds great. However, what would you say to those who are trying to get their plans off the ground and nobody seems to believe in them or in their ideas?

Einstein: Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. It’s only when you look at yourself from a universal standpoint, that something inside always reminds or informs you that there are bigger and better things to worry about.

Einstein on Curiosity

Adam: That’s great advice. But how can we look at ourselves from a universal standpoint? Is it easy to do?

Einstein: The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.

Adam: Yes, asking questions, being curious… I guess that’s another key to success. But how could we apply this practice on a daily basis?

Einstein: It’s simple. Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning. I am merely inquisitive.

Adam: I guess this inquisitive nature keeps you on your toes and learning new things every day.

Einstein: The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education. Reading, after a certain age, diverts the mind too much from its creative pursuits. Any man who reads too much and uses his own brain too little falls into lazy habits of thinking.

Adam: That’s awesome advice. Some really big takeaways here. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me today. However, before I let you go, I have one final question I wanted to ask you. You’re considered to be one of the most intelligent and creative people that has ever lived. You must have answers for almost everything. I wanted to ask you a very important question that a lot of male listeners are dying to know the answer to. The question is: What is the secret to understanding women?

Einstein: I don’t know, I don’t care, and it doesn’t make any difference!

How to Use this iQuote Matrix

The above conversation with Albert Einstein provides an overview of the iQuote Matrix (found top of this post) that you can download for free and use as a reference wall poster. It’s an ideal reference tool for those wanting to model Einstein’s psychology or simply for those interested to learn more about this great man.

This iQuote Matrix is designed with three purposes in mind:

• Firstly, the quotations are designed to provide you with insights into Einstein’s personality, qualities, mindset, belief systems and attitude.
• Secondly, the power words extending from the middle branches are designed to pinpoint key qualities and behaviors that distinguished Einstein.
• Thirdly, key questions and statements extending from the quotations are designed to help you mimic Einstein’s thinking style and approach to life.

Designed for Printing

An iQuote Matrix is designed for printing and pinning up on a wall. In fact, it is best used as a reference wall poster to keep you focused throughout the day. Simply print it out, hang it up, and refer to it consistently. In time, the knowledge shared within, will become fully integrated into your life, habits, decisions, behavior and actions.

Click here to download a pdf copy of this iQuote Matrix

I hope you find this tool of value. Please feel free to share your thoughts, feedback and suggestions in the comments below.

| Free PDF Download | IQ Matrix Gallery | MasterMind Matrix | FAQ |

Introduction

Upon hearing the news of Steve Jobs’ passing, a deep sense of loss swept over me. In that very moment I thought about the life that this great man lived, the many lives that he touched, and the world he shaped and helped to transform. He’s innovative spirit and determination to succeed against the odds put him upon a pedestal that only few have reached. Yet his down-to-earth spirit made us all believe that achieving our own dreams is very possible.

I was never a Mac, iPod or iPad convert. In fact, I’m a PC and Android-man at heart, and maybe always will be. However, I respected wholeheartedly the work of Steve Jobs and how he turned Apple into one of the most valuable and innovative companies in the world. The creative spark, the innovative spirit, and the incredible determination and passion of this man gave me hope that anything is possible if you just set your mind to it.

Building an iQuote Matrix

To celebrate Steve Job’s incredible life, I wanted to gather together his most inspiring quotes that have touched my life in incredible ways, and piece them all together onto a single map that I call an iQuote Matrix.

A standard IQ Matrix is primarily designed to inform and guide you through a specific topic, while an iQuote Matrix is designed to inspire and move you to take action.

This particular iQuote Matrix contains 13 Steve Job’s quotes as well as questions that you can ask yourself that will help you to live an inspired and creative life. I have outlined the quotations and questions below for you. However, you will also find them within the map that you can download and print at your leisure and use as a reference wall poster or desktop background.

Steve Job’s Greatest Quotes

Here is a list of Steve Job’s greatest quotes about life, living and creating remarkable things:

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”

“I want to put a ding in the universe.”

“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me… Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful… that’s what matters to me.”

“Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water, or do you want a chance to change the world?”

“When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: “If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.” It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.”

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”

“Why join the navy if you can be a pirate?”

“Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith.”

“I didn’t see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.”

“Almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”

“If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on.”

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”

“I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.”

Living Life as Steve Jobs Lived…

Reading over these quotes I vowed to myself that from today onwards I would live a more inspired life. I would live a life like Steve Jobs lived — shaping and transforming the world in my own unique way. However, to do this, I will need to cultivate the message contained within Steve’s words on a daily basis. And as a Life Coach, I realize that the best way to do this is by asking the right kinds of questions; by asking the questions that will focus my mind upon living a Steve Jobs inspired life.

Here are the key questions contained within this iQuote Matrix that I will personally be focusing on:

• Am I following my heart or someone else’s?
• Do I love what I do?
• What is my inner voice telling me?
• What have I done today that is wonderful?
• What have I done today that matters?
• What small step can I take today that could help me transform the world?
• If today were the last day of my life, would I do what I’m about to do today?
• What opportunity does this setback present me with?
• What is good and positive about this experience?
• How can I live a more exceptional life starting today?

Living an Inspired Life

Steve Jobs certainly transformed the world in immeasurable ways. He has left a lasting legacy behind, which will continue to shape and transform the world in the decades to come. Even though we may never reach such heights of achievement ourselves, we can however transform the world in our own little way a step at a time. And this journey begins by asking a single question — a question that could effectively change the direction of your life. The question is…

How can I begin living a more inspired life, starting today?

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Introduction

Sir Richard Branson is an iconic and legendary figure within business circles. His Virgin companies span the globe, while his thirst for brand domination and sense of adventure tell a story of an intriguing and thought provoking life sprinkled with danger, high risk tactics – that push the boundaries of the possible, – and an all encompassing purpose that is built upon fairness and change. Add to this mix a charismatic persona and an extraordinary business acumen, and you have one of the most well-known and iconic figures of today’s business world.

The discussion that follows delves briefly into aspects of Richard Branson’s personality and behavior in order to shed some light into the mindset of this entrepreneurial magnate. A deeper analysis of Richard Branson’s personality and behavior – as it relates to the MasterMind Matrix – will be presented at a later time. However, for now, the purpose of this IQ Matrix and accompanying article post is to present a visual overview of the characteristics of a successful entrepreneur whose qualities we can all model, learn from, and cultivate until they become our own.

The 1st Branch of this IQ Matrix Mind Map breaks down Richard Branson’s habitual patterns of behavior. The 2nd Branch delves into the skill-set that Richard Branson has acquired throughout his entrepreneurial adventures. And the final Branch of this IQ Matrix presents an overview of the Mindset that has shaped and carved Richard Branson’s personality and made him a legend within the business world.

The information contained within this article was collected from several books which are listed towards the end of this post.

Richard Branson’s Habitual Patterns of Behavior

There are several subtle – and some not so subtle – behaviors that Richard Branson undertakes on a daily basis that enable him greater clarity of thought and a personal understanding of the events and circumstances that he is confronted with at any given moment in time. These behaviors are briefly outlined below:

Stepping Outside of Comfort Zone

Richard Branson is constantly stepping outside his comfort zone into new industries and challenges that test his discipline, expertise and resolve.

Facing Problems Head-on

When problems arise, Richard Branson tackles them immediately and aggressively, making sure that small problems don’t become big headaches.

Open to Change

Richard Branson is constantly open to changing his perspectives, viewpoints and approach to any situation if he feels that it will help him attain his goals and objectives in a much more effective and efficient manner.

Making Every Second Count

Richard Branson is very aware that every moment that goes by is an opportunity to do things better, to improve a process or to take the next step towards a bigger objective. He therefore makes every second count by mixing business with pleasure.

Hunting for New Opportunities

Richard Branson is always on the lookout for new opportunities and ideas that will enable him to gain an advantage over his competitors.

Asking Questions

Richard Branson is constantly asking “solution focused” questions that clarify his thinking and help him overcome the challenges that confront him on a daily basis.

Challenging Self

Richard Branson is constantly challenging himself; whether in business or life. He sees everything as an opportunity to strengthen his resolve, expertise and grow his Global Virgin Empire.

Enjoys Living Life to Fullest

Richard Branson is constantly seeking out new exciting endeavors, adventures and experiences. He believes that life must always be lived to the fullest potential or we are simply robbing ourselves of a full life.

Having Fun

Richard Branson turns everything into a game where “having fun” is on top of his agenda. For this very reason he enjoys mixing work with pleasure and has successfully created an easy going / fun-loving culture at Virgin.

Meeting New People

Richard Branson is a passionate Networker. He enjoys meeting new people, discussing new opportunities, and building mutually rewarding relationships with others.

Trying New Things

Whether it be venturing into a new and unexpected industry, or flying balloons over record distances – it seems that Richard Branson will do just about anything at least once.

Enjoys Working

Because Richard Branson mixes his work with those things that bring him pleasure; this lifts his spirits and strengthens his motivation to work for extended hours throughout the day and night.

Carries a Notepad

Richard Branson carries a notepad in his pocket in order to capture ideas for new projects, gather feedback from customers and employees, and to write his goals, thoughts and experiences on paper. This in turn helps him clarify his thoughts and provides him guidance throughout his days.

Surrounds Self with Great People

Richard Branson surrounds himself with Business Coaches and Mentors who act as “sounding boards”; helping to guide his decisions. He also surrounds himself with reliable Colleagues and Co-Workers who have similar goals, values and interests. These people naturally compliment Virgin’s ever expanding cultural presence. Finally, Richard Branson surrounds himself with supportive Family and Friends who believe in him, his mission and vision.

Takes Calculated Risks

Richard Branson takes calculated risks in business and life. He understands where the boundaries lie, and is therefore careful not to over-extend his personal and professional capabilities and capacity to move intelligently through periods of emotional turmoil.

Takes Time to Read & Learn

Richard Branson fully understands that lessons are usually learned through personal mistakes and experience. Moreover, he acknowledged that lessons can also be experienced within the pages of a book. And it is these “book experiences” that save him an ample amount of time, energy and money, that he would normally spend learning in the real world.

Takes Time to Catnap & Daydream

In order to re-ergize his body and mind, Richard Branson takes Catnaps throughout the day. He also undertakes periods of daydreaming about his passions; which invigorates his creative mind and strengthens the flow of new ideas.

Takes Time to Think

Richard Branson sets time aside to create new ideas, plan projects and think about creative solutions to pressing problems..

Richard Branson’s Skill Set

A lifetime of unique experiences and a passion to fulfill his goals and objective, have helped Richard Branson develop certain sets of skills that help to improve his effectiveness and efficiency as he goes about his days. These skills are listed below:

• Flexible Thought
• Sales Skills
• Public Relations
• Negotiation Skills
• Persuasion Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Good Listening Skills
• Good Communication Skills

When Richard Branson communicates with others he often utilizes stories, descriptive words and metaphors that paint pictures and excite the senses; effectively bringing his listeners into “his” personal world and interpretation of reality.

Richard Branson’s Mindset

Richard Branson is who he is, and does what he does because of who he has become as a result of a culmination of experiences, setbacks and triumphs. These circumstances have shaped his mind in profound ways; enabling him to achieve incredible feats that have progressively built his fortune and empire. To unlock this mindset, one must look no further than the patterns of Richard’s behaviors, decisions, language and actions.

Richard Branson’s Purpose

The primary purpose that drives and directs all of Richard Branson’s choices, decisions, behavior and actions is the act of Making a Difference in this World.

Richard Branson’s Values

Every one of us has a hierarchy of values that help direct our daily choices and decisions. The values that lie on top of this hierarchy we consider to be of utmost importance, while the values that lie on the bottom tend not to direct our attention.

Richard Branson’s values have helped shape all the circumstances of his life. And while it is difficult to pinpoint the hierarchy of his values (these can change all of the time), we can however identify some of the primary values that are currently molding his destiny.

Here is a list of values that are driving Richard Branson’s actions and decisions (they are presented in no particular order):

• Family
• Entrepreneurialism
• Adventure
• Frugality
• Fun
• Teamwork
• Contribution
• Competition

By progressively adjusting your own values to match the list presented above, you will find that your choices, decisions and actions will slowly begin to align and match those of Richard Branson’s. We will discuss the Process of Value Creation in a future IQ Matrix Mind Map.

How different could your life be if you adopted Richard Branson’s values as your own?

Richard Branson’s Beliefs

Alongside values we have beliefs. Beliefs are the building blocks of our daily decisions, behaviors and actions. They will essentially determine the actions that we take, or refrain to make when faced with the reality of life.

Richard Branson’s beliefs have been shaped and molded as a result of a lifetime of unique experience. These beliefs have strengthened his resolve and made him into the man we know today.

Here is a list of some of the beliefs that have molded Richard Branson’s character:

• Believes that anything is possible.
• Believes that everything is negotiable.
• Believes that rules are made to be broken.
• Believes that business is a fun and creative way of life.
• Believes in developing people.
• Believes in leading from the front.
• Believes in action over hope.
• Believes in being polite and honest.
• Believes in doing no harm.
• Believes in building teams.
• Believes in integrity.
• Believes in respect.
• Believes in trust.
• Believes in “Self” controlling personal destiny.

How different could your life be if you adopted Richard Branson’s beliefs as your own?

Richard Branson’s Qualities

There are certain and specific qualities that Richard Branson projects out into the world on a daily basis that help shape his character and public persona. These qualities include:

• A solution focused attitude.
• An ambitious and passionate nature.
• A competitive, resilient, bold, rebellious and ruthless approach to life.
• A fun-loving, humorous, cheeky, curious, enthusiastic and charming demeanor.

These qualities are a representation of the “visual mask” that Richard Branson projects into the world on a daily basis. These are the qualities that the Media writes about, that Co-workers gossip about; that others try and emulate. However, keep in mind that you cannot cultivate these qualities within your own character if your values and beliefs are in conflict with the external persona that you are trying to project into the world. You must therefore, first work on yourself within, before experiencing the results in the physical world.  More about this another time when we discuss how our beliefs and values create our experience of reality.

How different could your life be if you adopted Richard Branson’s qualities as your own?

Richard Branson’s Perspectives

It is probably safe to say that Richard Branson perceives life somewhat differently than the majority of people in this world. And it is this perspective that drives his thoughts and influences the emotions he allows himself to experience on a daily basis. Let’s take a closer look at these perspectives:

• He lives his life on the edge.
• He lives life to the fullest.
• He lives life for the moment.
• He lives life with a “work hard, play hard” mentality.
• He understands that a solution will always be found no matter how big the problem.
• He chases his dreams while at the same time remaining grounded in the real world.
• He perceives that money is a means of making things happen, and not an end in itself.

These perspectives help shape his life, while transforming the patterns of thought that are directing his behavior.

How different could your life be if you adopted Richard Branson’s perspectives as your own?

Richard Branson’s Secret to Success

Richard Branson’s Secret to Success Video on Metacafe

Richard Branson Quotes

Here are a number of well known Richard Branson quotes that will provide an even deeper insight into the makeup of his character:

Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming.

A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts.

And you know, I’ve had great fun turning quite a lot of different industries on their head and making sure those industries will never be the same again, because Virgin went in and took them on.

Fortunately we’re not a public company – we’re a private group of companies, and I can do what I want.

I believe in benevolent dictatorship provided I am the dictator.

I cannot remember a moment in my life when I have not felt the love of my family. We were a family that would have killed for each other – and we still are.

I wanted to be an editor or a journalist, I wasn’t really interested in being an entrepreneur, but I soon found I had to become an entrepreneur in order to keep my magazine going.

My mother was determined to make us independent. When I was four years old, she stopped the car a few miles from our house and made me find my own way home across the fields. I got hopelessly lost.

Ridiculous yachts and private planes and big limousines won’t make people enjoy life more, and it sends out terrible messages to the people who work for them. It would be so much better if that money was spent in Africa – and it’s about getting a balance.

The balloons only have one life and the only way of finding out whether they work is to attempt to fly around the world.

We’ve got an engaging, edgy, vibrant, fun product, … It may or may not work, but we’re going to give it our best shot.

What’s the quickest way to become a millionaire? Borrow fivers off everyone you meet.

I never get the accountants in before I start up a business. It’s done on gut feeling, especially if I can see that they are taking the mickey out of the consumer.

You never know with these things when you’re trying something new what can happen. This is all experimental.

Well, I’m somebody who is just living…living life, and if I get frustrated by something, then I like to try to put it right,

It has been like hitting up against a solid brick wall. All day and all night long, we battled to get through it.

I am slightly biased, but I think it is an incredible achievement — the last great aviation record left.

Final Thoughts

There is no doubt that Richard Branson’s qualities have brought him a great deal of success and fame over his lifetime. His charismatic persona, his rebellious and “death defying” acts, and his easy-going nature provide him with a unique blueprint of success that has helped him create a global brand unlike anything the world has ever seen. To model his success, one must cultivate an extraordinary amount of patience, discipline and passion over an extended period of time. It is after all these qualities – above all else – that lay down the seeds and the foundations of the dreams that are still yet to come.

I hope you enjoyed this post. If you have any further queries or questions, or would like to share your experiences about this topic, than please do so in the comments section below.

Free Articles & Online Resources

Here are a number of highly recommended free articles and online resources that will further help expand your understanding about this topic:

• Business Stripped Bare @ Official Richard Branson Blog
• Lessons from Richard Branson: How to Identify Opportunity @ Young Entrepreneur
• Lessons from Richard Branson: Don’t do it for the Money @ Young Entrepreneur
• Follow Richard Branson on Twitter @ Twitter.com

Recommended Books

• Business Stripped Bare: Adventures of a Global Entrepreneur by Richard Branson
• Losing My Virginity: How I’ve Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way by Richard Branson
• Screw It, Let’s Do It: 14 Lessons on Making it to the Top While Having Fun & Staying Green by Richard Branson
• Richard Branson, Virgin King: Inside Richard Branson’s Business Empire by Tim Jackson
• Business the Richard Branson Way: 10 Secrets of the World’s Greatest Brand Builder by Des Dearlove.

If you would like to download a copy of this IQ Matrix, it is available from the IQ Matrix Shop.