The world mourns today the loss of the boxing legend and icon Muhammad Ali who passed away at age 74 yesterday June 3, 2016.
Ali was not only known as a titan in the boxing ring but also as a great motivator and “trash talker”. He believed he was the greatest even before he was, he is famously quoted as saying. [I always knew I was the greatest, before I even said it. [1]] And isn’t that what is needed to succeed in business? If we all had the level of confidence in our work, products, services, ability and value, we would all be great.
Entrepreneurs, StartUpFounders, solopreneurs and anyone who is launching an endeavor on a hope and a prayer know they step out on faith when they do it.
When society, their parents and friends tell those who want to create a StartUp that it is impossible and focus on the negative and the stats about failure, they can remember what Ali has said about the word, “impossible”.
“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” [2]
After all, creating a StartUp starts with risk.
Ali famously said about risk “he who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” [3]
And on bucking conventional expectations and limitations, the Champ has said “I know where I’m going and I know the truth, and I don’t have to be what you want me to be. I’m free to be what I want.” [4]
Here are other Muhammed Ali quotes that are great for motivating entrepreneurs, founders and others in business.
The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life [5]
Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth. [6]
The man who has no imagination has no wings. [7]
What you are thinking about, you are becoming [8]
It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe. [9]
Braggin’ is when a person says something and can’t do it. I do what I say. [10]
Don’t count the days; make the days count. [11]
If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it—then I can achieve it. [12]
