Thank You Les Brown.
Welcome back!
Les Brown is one of my favorite inspirational speaker. Despite the absence of any formal education beyond high school, Les Brown has been a radio DJ/talk host, broadcast manager, community activist, state legislator, Emmy-Award winning television show host, political commentator, author and award-winning speaker. Les has grossed $20 million in 14 years of public speaking. In 1991 Les Brown was selected as one of the world’s best public speakers by Toastmasters International.
Les Brown’s early year was not a walk in the park. Him and his twin brother, Wesley, were abandoned by their natural mother at the age of three weeks old. They were adopted by Mamie Brown. Les describes Mamie as, “the only parent I will ever need.” At fifth grader Les was identified as educable mentally retarded. But Les’s mother and a high school teacher, rechanneled his thoughts and charted a path of success for him. His mother and this high school teacher give him a vision beyond his circumstances. This journey enabled him to become the great speaker that he is.
“You don’t get in life what you want; you get in life what you are. Helping people become the kind of person they have within themselves so they can produce the results they want in life is what I’m all about.” ~ Les Brown.
Life wasn’t always smooth for les, even after he became one of the most successful speaker. In a span of five years, his beloved mother, Mamie Brown, died of breast cancer, his marriage to pop-singer Gladys Knight ended in divorce, and he beat prostate cancer. Les bounced back from all of those setbacks with greater purpose.
Recently I have got words from friends in the industry; about Les Brown’s prostate cancer has return. I have not been able to confirm this information. Regardless, if this is true or not. I like to wish Les Brown great health and happiness.
The following is my personal favorite quotes by Les.
“Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go, no one else”.
“Anytime you suffer a setback or disappointment, put your head down and plow ahead”.
“Don’t let someone else’s opinion of you become your reality”.
“Just because Fate doesn’t deal you the right cards, it doesn’t mean you should give up. It just means you have to play the cards you get to their maximum potential”.
“Shoot for the moon and if you miss you will still be among the stars”.
“The only limits to the possibilities in your life tomorrow are the buts you use today”.
“Wanting something is not enough. You must hunger for it. Your motivation must be absolutely compelling in order to overcome the obstacles that will invariably come your way”.
“You need to make a commitment, and once you make it, then life will give you some answers”.
“Your goals are the road maps that guide you and show you what is possible for your life”.
“When life knocks you down, try to land on your back. Because if you can look up, you can get up. Let your reason get you back up”.
Thank you, Mr. Les Brown for inspiring millions.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Other related post by Giovanna
You’re alive… “Live It That Way”
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Hi Giovanna,
Your post on Les Brown is so appropriate for your blog! You epitimize what his motivational speeches are all about!
My favorite quote is “shoot for the moon and if you miss you will still be among the stars”.
Thank you for your super post!
Pete Baca
The Car Enthusiast Online
Giovanna, as always, great post. so nice to read more about Les Brown. Very nice. Have a nice day.
Dan and Deanna “Marketing Unscrambled”
Souch a great post. I didn’t know much about Les Brown and I really appreciated you sharing the story here.
http://positivelypresent.typepad.com
Giovanna,
I hadn’t heard that famous voice since I was in the network marketing business more than ten years ago, and watching him in the video clip brings back memories of when I used to listen to his tapes.
He certainly is an inspiration. I am sad to hear about his health situation, but if it is true, I hope that he is able, with help from god, to overcome the problem.
“It’s not over until I win” - that’s someone who won’t let anything stop him! Les Brown is a great example of what we can all do, if we’re hungry.
Thanks for the inspiring post.
I first saw Les Brown in a video long back. Normally, I’m not a fan of motivation, especially if it’s the rah-rah kind. But Les had a way with words and was particularly insightful. He actually was motivating!
I really like the quote on plow ahead … sometimes that’s what it takes.
Hello Giovanna,
I did not Les Brown. Thank you for the info. He is very good speaker from your YouTube post. Sense of humor and straight to the point presentation.
Thank you for your post.
I enjoyed it very much.
Shaw Funami
Fill the Missing Link
You got to be hungry!!!
Being prepared and doing it even before you have is great advice too…Thank you Les Brown and thank you Giovanna for sharing this us.
Hi Giovanna!
Les Brown is Awesome!
I love the part in the video when he says it’s better to be prepared and not have an opportunity, than to have the opportunity and not be prepared! Such great wisdom!
Thanks for sharing the great video! “I’m HUNGRY!!”
Many Blessings….
Roxanne and Hugo ~ Believe Achieve
This is a great tribute to Les Brown! May he be well.
Hi Peter,
Thank you for your comment and for sharing your thoughts with us.
That is a great quote, and so true.
Shoot for the moon!!!
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Deanna,
Thank you for your comment and for your participation.
Les Brown is wonderful and very inspiring speaker.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Positively Present,
Les Brown is a great speaker….I’m glad you got a chance to learn a little more about him today.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Andrew,
His voice is one that definately leaves a positive impression~
Thank you for your comment and joining the conversation.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Laurie
Brown is a great example and is very inspiring to us all.
Thanks for sharing and joining the conversation.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Shaw
I am glad you got a chance to learn a little from Les Brown. He is very inspiring and an excellent speaker.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi
He is awesome, isn’t he?? Les does have a lot of wisdom for us to learn from.
Thank you for you comment and for sharing your thoughts with us.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Mark,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts….Les Brown is very inspiring, and a joy to listen to.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
“You don’t get in life what you want; you get in life what you are.”
I love this quote. Thanks for the video and the update on his health. I like the way your blog helps me keep up with so much that’s happening with heroes around the world.
Very cool “it is better to be prepare to opportunity and not have one vs. have the opportunity and not being prepared”.
Boyle was prepared to her opportunity, eh?
You are supper blogger. I enjoy reading your blog and I love the info and the inspiration quote from Les. I got be honest I didn’t know who Les Brown was before. Now I am to know what he knows. I really appreciate for sharing this with us. Thank you again as always.
Hi Giovanna. Les has written many great quotes. I’m most familiar with his “Shoot for the moon…” quote. But I quite like, “Don’t let someone else’s opinion of you become your reality”. Our taste in quotes change to match where we’re at it seems, doesn’t it. I hope Les is okay.
Hi Gio .. thanks for that brilliant post - I do hope he will be well .. he inspires us all .. and his quotes are so great. I selected the same as Daphne’s … “You don’t get in life what you want; you get in life what you are” - seemed to make sense to me at the moment.
His books are great too ..
Many thanks -
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters
Hi Daphne,
That is a great quote. There are a lot of people to admire, and Les is one of those people.
Thank you for your comment and for sharing your thoughts with us.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Dawit,
Giovanna Garcia
You’re very welcome. Les Brown is a very inspiring person, and you can gain a lot from him.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Davina
Yes it does! Les has a lot of excellent quotes that we should all live by. I like the quote you pointed out. “Don’t let someone else’s opinion of you become your reality.” (unless it’s a good opinion..) :=)
Thanks for commenting and sharing your thoughts.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Hilary,
Les’ quotes are great! They are inspiring, and so true.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It means a lot to me to have support from such kind people such as you.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Hi Alik
Yes, Susan Boyle was ready for her opportunity
Well put. Thank you for your comment and sharing your wisdom with us.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
“To love is to risk not being loved in return. To hope is to risk pain. To try is to risk failure, but risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.”
Was just looking around on google today and came across your blog great stuff. Just wanted to take the time and give you some kudos for your work. We are currently on crazy 3 year trip around the world and blog about it come check us out.
Unstoppable Family
Brian and Rhonda Swan
This blog of yours really have been ‘blessing’ to others and Mr.Les Brown, never stop encouraging others to move forward. See themselves achieving more, doing more, do better.
Oh yeah! one more thing, I never heard from a friend/s, his cancer come back again. All I know, Les mentioned this in one of the video, he always talk to himself and his body, you are healed now. The report from the Dr. is not final. I am healed. And know what, I believed him.