The Motivational Minute
Russell Simmons is one of what is quickly becoming known as a “Conscious Billionaire,” a person of extreme wealth and social influence committed to making differences that transform the planet. He’s in good company with the likes of Sir Richard Branson, T. Boone Pickens, and Oprah Winfrey also paving the way. “Conscious is the new commodity that we all have, we all need, and we all want,” suggests Simmons, reached by telephone at his Manhattan empire. “We all need love and we all have it to give.
When you give lots of it, you get lots of it in return.”
Meet the man who’s single-handedly redefined “super rich” from a derogatory expression, to being synonymous with one of America’s most influential entrepreneurs. He’s more than a leader. Simmons’ considerable reach touches lives in every demographic.
Some try lumping him together with people of influence who squander their position, but to that he balks. His new book, “Super Rich: A Guide To Having It All,” shares the importance of centering oneself and connecting to a higher source.
Like many billionaires, Simmons started broke. Crime and drugs were ubiquitous. His unfortunate future seemed certain. While to onlookers, everything seems easy for Simmons, he’s candid that it’s not easy and he gives the formula that’s made the difference between Super Rich and in jail, or dead.
Formula: Go to work, put your head down, overcome the obstacles, and don’t quit. “A lot of people quit,” he points out. “They never get to see the end result. Single-minded focus will get you committed and to results.”
He quotes scripture like it’s a balance sheet, constantly brings it into a context for living. He wants everyone to have it all.
“There’s nothing stopping you, but you. There’s no reason why people should live scared and impoverished lives. Just try greatness. That’s all I ask. Just try and you’ll be surprised by what amazing things you can do. Just try - don’t quit.”
He’s a preacher of prosperity for all by sharing his personal understanding of nothingness, stillness, and health.
Pinning Simmons down can be hard. Ask about strategy, investing, or even niches and find the hip-hop icon insisting that the answers are inside us. “We don’t need to get more or have more; we need only to be more. Don’t look at what you’re doing,” he urges. “Look at who you’re being.”
ON LEADERSHIP: “People are the same. Treat them well, see them as great, nurture their love. Results.”
ON SUCCESS: “Success is all about stillness and peace. Order produces order. Chaos produces chaos. Be in order and order will follow you.”
“The more you give the more you get. Operating from stillness will bring you more prosperity than any investment.” This allows Simmons to flow easily between media, fashion, merchandising, education, and philanthropy.
It wasn’t any one thing that enlightened the force behind Run DMC, but Simmons reflects that trouble with drugs, and violence added to his need for instantaneous change. “It’s not easy to see yourself going the wrong way and go in the opposite direction, but you have to do it. It takes courage. Most give up too easily.”
Simmons derails efforts to talk about his skyrocketing success, demanding it’s unimportant. “Go to work and serve. Be of service; give from your heart. Diet, prayer, yoga, God, and love are all what’s important. I promise you the riches will follow.”
He cares not about affluence. Simmons cares only about doing good work that matters.
Simmons is looking to the future and it looks bright with plans of taking his new book “Super Rich” on the road.
His lasting message: Be true to your word, be a leader, and have faith. Your results will flourish.
Nothing happens on your time. It almost never happens in the timeline that you wrote your plan. Have no expectation. Just have vision, passion, and patience.
He glibly quips: “People say, ‘Oh, you built a financial services company out of nowhere.’” To which he replies, “Yeah, it’s 9 years old.”
One of his true gifts is to see a need and fill it (i.e., loans to low- and no-income communities, capitalizing on rap music in its infancy and making it socially acceptable).