Kevin Abdulrahman is a motivational and leadership speaker to leading multinationals, governments and fast growing companies. He is best known as: “The Man Inspiring Millions”.
My Definition Of Success | Indeed just as life, the definition of success is never constant. We evolve. And so does the definition of success, to mirror the reflection of our personal growth. As a teenager, success was to make a ton of money.
Then success became about being able to do what I wanted to do, with whom I wanted to do it, whenever I felt like doing it. Today, success to me is waking up with a zest for life. To work on what I feel is my calling, working for a greater good and leaving a lasting legacy- reaching people from all over the world, helping them Get Inspired, Get Informed & Get Going!
I Am Driven By | On a daily basis, I’m driven by seeing and hearing how different people from all walks of life do incredible things. Young or old, impoverished or wealthy, talented or resourceful, there is so much that you can pull your inspiration from.
My Highlights | As an author, having my books published in 30+ languages. As a motivational speaker, being humbled with the label ‘The Man Inspiring Millions’, having spoken in over 50 countries. As a son and brother, valuing the blessing and presence of the people that mean the world to me. And now as a proud Uncle, my highlight has been the introduction of a new generation of Abdulrahman, my little pride and joy, my nephew – Kareem Khalifa Abdulrahman
The Difference Between Good And Great | Good is doing the bare minimum. People who are good are just happy with hitting the mark. Those who are great at what they do push the mark. They push to the max. They push until they can push no more, and then, they push some more. This applies to every aspect of life, from school results, travelling the world, starting businesses, body building, succeeding in politics, setting up charitable organizations, and beyond.
A Key Talent | Our family has a joke. Don’t ask Kevin to hammer a nail. You may face the consequences of a damaged wall. Indeed I am not a handyman. Not a strength, talent or desire.
I found early on that I had both, a desire and traces of talent when it came to using my mind, understanding business and having the ability to inspire.
Understand, that when I say traces of talent, I mean that I wasn’t a fluent speaker as a teenager, I mumbled and jammed my words together.
But I did have a desire and willingness to work on my talent, to turn it from average to good, and then good to great.
Today as an International speaker who gets paid handsomely to deliver keynotes around the world and a public speaking coach to CEOs and Presidents, I can break it down for you as having done the following step by step (and the same applies to what it is you choose to do in life)
1. List all the things you like and dislike doing. This is great filter to narrow things down.
2. List all the talents you have. What comes to you naturally?
3. Ask those around you what they notice about you
4. Start combining your strengths with talents to figure out what you can do
5. Ask yourself, “If I was willing do something for the rest of my life for free, what would it be?”
6. If you find it, great. If not, get back to the drawing board until you figure it out.
7. Get up every day and work on your skill
8. Practice your skill. Use every opportunity to take action.
9. This never stops. You can always get better.
10. Live, breath and be what you do.
I’ve been doing this for 15 years. I still work on my craft every day, everywhere and in every way I can.
The Characteristics Of Success | Always be learning.
Principles I Live By | Give without expectations.
1. Help those less fortunate.
2. Be true to yourself.
3. Don’t let your ego get in the way. You can be right or you can get results.
4. You can’t do both.
5. Problem solve and add value to others.
6. Skill up on sales, leadership and public speaking.
7. Do what you have to do in order to do what you want to do.
8. Be good. Do good. Feel good.
Critical Skills I Develop | Public Speaking. This is a critical and non-negotiable skill. We have always been told to never judge a book by its cover. Yet we all do it. The quickest judgement people make is within moments of you speaking. Your ability to speak with impact will reflect on how others will see you, your product, your service, your credibility and your competency.
Lessons I Have Learnt | You are the captain of your ship.
1. There is no short cut to success.
2. Success is simple. It is not easy, it’s simple
3. Make sure you do something you love. If you are going to be working, you might as well be doing something you enjoy.
4. It will be harder and longer than you think. Be prepared to work harder and longer.
5. Remember your reasons. You will be tested. You must stay strong and never give up.
6. You have a limited amount of time. Know what is important in your life, like spending time with your family or enjoying the moments throughout your journey. We are all guests on this earth with no guarantee of time, so make the most of what you have- today.
Dealing With Doubt | Can I do it? Should I do it? Is it even possible? These are all common self-doubts and fears faced by the best of us.
A thought that has helped me greatly in life was realizing that courage isn’t the absence of fear. Courage is being able to stand up in spite of its presence and facing it.
Many years ago, I wanted to be a published author. Realize that when you haven’t ever written a book, things like self-doubt (I don’t think I can do this), fear (what if I fail?), and negativity (this is a dumb idea) are all common. This is common in whatever you choose to do in life.
My first book “The Book On Winning The Game Of Life” was rejected by hundreds of publishers. Frankly I lost count. It just got depressing but it was a goal I wasn’t willing to giving up on. That attitude and constant graft saw the book get in front of the great Dr. Denis Waitley and who then wrote the foreword for it. The book was picked up by New York based publishers Morgan James and published in 2010.
Since then, I’ve had 15 books published, with the latest, 60 Minutes To Better Public Speaking getting translated into 30+ languages. Amazing things happen when you make a decision, stand up to face your fears and never give up. Decide and dedicate. This has been my mantra. Make it yours.
Performing At My Peak | We all experience highs and lows. In my seminars I joke about experiencing highs and lows many times in any given day. The difference of high performing individuals from the rest is their ability to actively get themselves out of a low.
For example when I experience a low, I can choose to either wallow in the feeling and lose an entire day (done that many times with absolutely no positive results). Or I choose to change my state and environment. Simple things like listening to good music (hip hop, RnB, Latin beats), going out for a run (or walk), picking up a great book or magazine and reading an inspiring story, or watching a funny youtube clip.
They are simple simple actions. No rocket science.
There are plenty of ways to get yourself out of a low.
The key is wanting to do so.
This is what separates high performing individuals from the average, allowing them to perform at their peak.
My Future Dreams And Ambitions | I love to travel and experiences different cultures. My goal is to visit and truly experience every country in the world. Part of the reason I enjoy delivering speeches globally is the opportunity I get to rub shoulders with amazing people from all walks of life, who are kind enough to share with me their experiences and culture (and their yummy food). I am easy to persuade. Just invite me to speak in your city, and I’m up on a plane.
The Meaning Of Life | In the early stages of life, one usually works with themselves in mind, to build, make and become. There then comes a point where you realize that the act of giving, contributing and making a difference gives you a happiness high, like no other.
Everything we work for in life is to achieve a single state- happiness.
To me, living your moments in a state of happiness is the meaning of life.
The Best Advice I’ve Received | What would you dare to do if failure wasn’t an option?
Advice On Building Wealth | You can go after wealth and get rich. Nothing wrong with that. In fact, admirable, because you can make a world a difference. Wealthy is a great position to be in. However, be careful that you aren’t just serving a single desire of financial gains. As a human being, we all seek meaning, relevance, happiness. Things that can’t be bought. But they can be made- by you.
Look for opportunities to solve problems.
Look for gaps in the market that isn’t catered for.
Find something that you are both strong in and passionate about
Get to work.
On Inspiring Others | Great people align themselves with other great people.
The key to finding and keeping great people is to first, be one.
If you have a closed and negative mindset, you will never be able to attract those with an open creative mind. Birds of the same feather flock together.
If you have your eyes and ears open, it is amazing how many great people you will find around you. You need to be resourceful in your thinking. Always being on the lookout. When you find great people, care for them. Help them achieve their goals, and in turn, they will work with you to help achieve yours.
“The Quality Of Your Results Is A Direct Reflection Of The Quality Of Your Mind”- Kevin Abdulrahman
I Am Inspired By | I’m inspired by so many from different walks of lives and for a multitude of reasons. Off the top of my head I would say Barack Obama, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Richard Branson, Donald Trump, Warren Buffet, Oprah Winfrey, Mark Zuckerberg, J.K Rowling, Kevin Spacey, Will Smith, Dave Chappelle and Kevin Hart.
The Legacy I Would Like To Leave | Having done my duty and helped inspire people to be the best that they could be. The goal is to reach 1 Billion Lives, to help them Get Inspired, Get Informed & Get Going!
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