Success Advice
5 Business Lessons I Learned In The Boxing Ring

At the age of 22 I was forced to quit college basketball due to a knee injury. Soon after I dropped out and joined the workforce. I hadn’t yet thought of my company, even toyed with writing, or had any clue what I wanted to do with my life, except one thing:
I had always wanted to box.
So that’s what I did.
Here are 5 lessons I learned from my two years spent as an amateur boxer. They are lessons that have helped me find success in business, and in life. Hopefully they’ll do the same for you.
1 – Keep Moving Forward
Although success in boxing is heavily dependent upon skill and the perfection of the craft, anyone can be broken. It’s hard to defend against someone who keeps punching, and who keeps moving forward; it becomes as much a battle of wills as it does a battle of stamina, strength, and skill.
The same is true with life. Many of the greatest success stories in history are of those people who kept working. We never hear about the guy who quit, but the guy who persists and perseveres becomes a legend.
Thomas Edison failed more than 10,000 times in his attempt to create the light bulb. Imagine if he chose to quit after 9,999.
2 – Pain is Temporary. Glory is Forever
Cliche? Yes. True? Of course. In every fight, training session, and sparring session, there was a point where “my weak Self” wanted to quit – I mean in every session. I had to fight that battle, as well as the one I was waging with my opponent in the ring.
Defeating that enemy in the ring helped me defeat the same enemy that arose every time I wanted to watch TV, or quit on the business.
No matter what you’re going through – good or bad – it’s temporary. Keep that in mind. Work your butt off, persist, and never quit. The lows aren’t as low as they seem, and the highs will come to an end – prepare for both.
Fact: You won’t get what you want in life if you quit.
3 – Don’t Go for The Knockout Right Away
The newbie always tries to go for the knockout right away. All that does is leave you open to a counter, and tire you out far quicker.
The veteran understands that a knockout happens in the midst of an exchange; it’s the punch you don’t see that gets you. Keep being precise and keep punching, if you do, the knockout will come.
In life, we often expect success quickly, but it never happens that way. It always takes a lot longer than we think, and it involves much more risk and sacrifice than we’d ever comprehend.
Don’t even think about the knockout when you start your journey, just keep punching, writing, creating, and innovating, and the knockout will come. If you think success comes quickly, you’re more likely to quite when the world proves you wrong.
Teddy Roosevelt, a man who as president sparred in the ring weekly.
4 – The Fight Isn’t Won In The Ring, Under the Lights of Fight Night
The fight is won on the road and in the gym, far from the lights of fight night.
Success is always created in privacy, where no one sees your hard work, sacrifice, and dedication. All they see is the end result, they don’t see the blood, sweat, and tears that preceded the victory.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that success is quick and glamorous; you’ll be sadly mistaken. If you want success in anything, you have to be willing to work. You must be open to missing out on certain things in life. While friends are partying, you must work.
It’s the only way about it. Hard, purposeful work pays off in the end. Being an entrepreneur isn’t the easy way, it’s the difficult, strenuous way of life, that’s why there are so few successful entrepreneurs, but YOU can be one of them.
5 – It’s Never Too Late
I started fighting at a relatively late age. Most fighters start in their early teens, or even earlier because it takes a long time to feel comfortable in the ring, throwing punches.
My solution: work harder and put in more hours than everyone else.
I ended up doing pretty well as a result. It’s the hours, and the quality of those hours that count and lead to success. If you’re willing to work harder than everyone else, it’s never to late to start.
Also keep in mind your prior experiences – you’re never starting out completely “green”. I was able to pick up boxing faster than most because I’d learned the hand-eye coordination needed in boxing from years of playing basketball and hockey, both at high levels.
What you’ve done up to this point in your life will prepare you for what you’re about to do next.
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These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident
Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.
But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.
Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.
1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task
Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.
After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.
Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.
But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.
2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First
Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.
Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”
For example, if you’re a writer:
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Research your topic at night.
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Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).
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Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.
You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.
3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace
Focus is the foundation of success.
According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.
Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.
Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.
4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life
Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”
This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.
If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.
5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills
Knowledge compounds over time.
Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.
I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.
Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.
6. Develop a Growth Mindset
Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.
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A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.
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A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.
Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.
7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You
I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.
If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.
Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.
Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.
8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions
Good mentors can fast-track your growth.
While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.
If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.
9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations
Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”
Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.
When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.
10. Focus on Your Strengths
Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.
If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.
A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.
Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.
11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs
Your beliefs shape your reality.
For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.
Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.
Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.
Final Thoughts
Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.
Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.
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