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Effort must remain consistently urgent. There are enough factors in business that you can't control. Effort is one that you can.

You will face challenges, haters, betrayals, recessions, and market forces that stand in the way of your success. But what if I told you that these so-called “enemies” could become your greatest source of fuel? What if you could turn shame, guilt, anger, disappointment, and heartbreak into the fire that propels you towards your wildest dreams?

Don't be afraid of your emotions. Take the time to figure out who makes your blood boil. Then, learn how to harness the emotion that your enemies create and use it as a catalyst for growth and success.

After a heartbreaking loss, NBA champion and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo was asked if the season was a failure. He said, “There’s no failure in sports. There’s good days, bad days, some days you are able to be successful, some days you are not, some days it is your turn, some days it’s not. That’s what sports is about. You don’t always win.”

When people are trying to goad you into saying something negative, don't take the bait. Everyone looks good when they win. You show your character during adversity. Don't miss these chances to show the world that you can handle defeat and hold your head high.

The CEO Next Door: The 4 Behaviors That Transform Ordinary People into World-Class Leaders. This book came up during the Sales Leadership Summit when we were talking about what it really means to be a CEO. One hint: it's not your resume.

Be reliable and keep your word. You can make mistakes. You can change your mind. But above all, you must tell the truth and deliver on your promises.

Kids. Whether you have your own kids or not, they motivate you to think long-term and care even more about the future.

Understand that you're either part of the problem or part of the solution. Standing on the sidelines is not an option during a cultural war in which others are pushing values and principles that hurt society.