People often ask me if I have any advice for prospective businessmen. I don’t have a formula for success, but I do know that a business’ success depends on the people more than anything else. Professional practices and businesses don’t become successful on their own. Behind each is an individual who had a dream, a desire to accomplish it, and the commitment to make it happen. The growth and development of that person will determine the success of the business. Just as an airplane cannot fly without energy from its engines, a business cannot fly without the energy from the individual running it. When that person quits growing, quits putting energy into his business or practice, like a plane with no engine, it will stop advancing, plateau and then fail. It all depends on you.

With that in mind, my advice to the prospective businessman is this:

1. Surround yourself with successful people…and listen to them. I could not have made it where I am today were it not for the people who advised me and guided me along the way.

2. Don’t be afraid of change. The only common denominator in all of the success stories is change. People will change, society will change, and you will change, but you have a choice. You can react to change or you can respond to it. That choice will determine your future.

3. Never stop learning. Every moment is a chance to learn and a chance to grow. Even when you think you know something, you probably don’t know the whole story. Look again.

4. Stay focused on your dream and never quit, even when the going gets tough. Don’t be afraid of a little failure. Remember, it’s not how far you fall, it’s how high you bounce back that counts. Always fall forward. You’ll still be getting ahead.