"People get confused with talent and development. Talent you're just born with. Development you’ve got to assemble. That comes in a box with a whole bunch of pieces and only a couple of tools." - Eric Thomas Why do you need to want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe? How did Eric go from a homeless high school dropout to a PhD recipient and internationally renowned speaker? What are the biggest mistakes leaders make? How can you beat self-sabotaging tendencies? Eric Thomas: Inspiring the Masses Eric Thomas rocketed into the global scene when his "succeed as bad as you want to breathe" speech went viral. But Eric had been inspiring others well before his YouTube fame, going from homeless and without a high school education to author, educator, pastor, academic, and philanthropist. In this episode, Eric shares with us his extraordinary story, detailing the events and people that inspired him to chase success. He explains how you can achieve whatever you want as long as you want it hard enough. Development Beats Talent Every Time When it comes to achieving your goals, everyone has to start somewhere. And for the talented, the starting line is a bit closer to the finish. But those who focus on their own development rather than relying on their natural skillset will achieve their goals far more quickly. Eric tells us why complacency kills dreams and how wanting to succeed and seeking continual self-improvement is far more valuable than natural-born talent. Recognize Your Potential One of the hardest things you can do is evaluate yourself. While it's easy to be self-critical, identifying your strengths and what you're capable of can feel almost impossible. That's why it's vital to surround yourself with those who can recognize and bring out your potential. We talk about some of the people in Eric's life that pushed him to achieve more and helped him realize what he was capable of. Eric also tells us how he has helped others to realize their own potential and how he is helping others to reach their goals. Key takeaways: Effort is the difference between success and failure. Whether you've inherited wealth or built it yourself, the work you put in will determine whether you grow it or lose it. What motivates you probably doesn't motivate others. Your job as a leader is to find out what inspires your team members so you can all work towards a common goal. Acknowledge your weaknesses, because you'll never develop if you don't address your blind spots. Links and Resources The Game Changing Attorney Podcast Michael Mogill Facebook Michael Mogill Twitter Michael Mogill Instagram Michael Mogill LinkedIn Crisp Video Website Crisp Video Facebook Crisp Video Group Twitter Crisp Video Instagram Crisp Video LinkedIn Eric Thomas LinkedIn Eric Thomas Website