The “Bruce Lee Secrets” To Making Big Money
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A faster way to get results from Internet marketing is to absorb teachings and philosophies from other spheres and apply them to the way you operate your business.
Bruce Lee, the most efficient human fighting machine the world has ever known, is a great person to glean success lessons and even money lessons from. Although Bruce Lee was often smaller than his opponents, he regularly took his opposition “to the cleaners”, even when they ganged up on him in groups.
How was he able to do this? Bruce Lee knew that in a battle of blood and fists, relying on any one style was risky business. So he created his own unique martial arts system, Jeet Kune Do (“The Way of the Intercepting Fist”). He cross-trained in all of the most dangerous martial arts around. At the height of his powers, he could perform amazing feats. These included moves like two-finger push-ups, where he literally does push-ups with two fingers, and the one-inch punch, which sends his opponents flying across the ground with one flick of his fist standing just an inch from the opponent.
Okay, but what does this have to do with Internet marketing and making money though? Everything.
With the amount of money-making strategies and traffic generation tactics out there, it is dangerous to rely on any one strategy or tactic. Start off by becoming a master of one method (or ‘style’) then incorporate other methods into your business to make it failure-proof. By implementing different methodologies, not only do you insulate yourself from risk, your business also expands faster.
While The Little Dragon’s philosophy may not apply directly to making money and business, they have formed a large part of my business and success philosophy.
Here is my interpretation of some his quotes as they apply to success and making money:
- “I fear not the man who has practised 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practised one kick 10,000 times.”
It defeats the purpose to practise 10,000 Internet marketing methods but only know each of them superficially. The main goal is to start practising one method 10,000 times (or as many times as required), master it, and then move on to the next technique.
The key is to focus on one technique, become a master at it, then move on to the next, adding more workable methods into your business.
- “A fight is not won by one punch or kick. Either learn to endure or hire a bodyguard.”
Businesses are seldom built overnight. The “magic pill” solution is rarely the answer to all problems. There is work involved in building a successful business.
An interpretation here is to learn to either do things by yourself or outsource them to an expert. But it is best to know how to do the important things (like building a website) so that you are not entirely dependant on others.
- “Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way round or through it.”
As an online entrepreneur, you will at some point have to work with entities like Internet Service Providers, autoresponders, search engines, and other ‘authorities’. As much as it can be tempting to say ‘screw it’ and not follow their rules or boycott their services, oftentimes it is better to be flexible as there are more advantages to be gained from it. As Bruce Lee would say in this case, don’t be ‘for or against’.
- “To hell with circumstances; I create opportunities.”
Successful entrepreneurs realize that they create their own luck. The harder you persist, the more luck you will receive. Most people who are successful started from some place that is worse than most of us are at now.
Many unsuccessful people fail to look at the big picture – luck is a consequence, not a cause. Look at small failed marketing campaigns as learning lessons that are opportunities to improve.
- “If you love life, don’t waste time, for time is what life is made up of.”
Time is money. Money lost can be earned again, but time wasted can never be found again. Learn how to say ‘no’ to unessential activities. The likes of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs didn’t have time for frivolities when they were growing their worldwide technology empires. They had only one goal – to build a successful enterprise that would benefit millions.
Get in and maximize while the going is good and you’re healthy and capable. If things get better, you win. If things get worse, you’re agile and prepared.
- “Any technique, however worthy and desirable, becomes a disease when the mind is obsessed with it.”
Be careful of getting obsessed with technologies or methods. Principles will always outlast technologies and methods. The principles of marketing that worked 30 years ago still work today. In 10 years time, the whole technology landscape will be different again and we will all have new toys and gadgets to play with.
Techniques like SEO, PPC, and article marketing will either evolve or be replaced by something entirely new. Be a master of techniques, but don’t become obsessed with them. Use them as a means to an end.
- “Eliminate “not clear” thinking and function from your root.”
Bruce Lee realized the importance of clear thinking in achieving success in anything. These days, it is harder to get focused with all the distractions surrounding us (Facebook, YouTube, American Idol, forums etc). Focus on what you want to achieve in your business and work in a straight line towards achieving your goals. Keep leisure activities for the end of the “workday”.
If you have to, turn off your Internet connection while you’re working on that ebook or writing that new blog post so as to eliminate all distractions. Get good ear plugs if there are construction noises or passing vehicles outside, take the phone off the hook, or get an office away from home. Do whatever is necessary to “get clear”.
- “It’s not the daily increase but decrease – hack away at the unessential.”
Whether you are Warren Buffett or the homeless man on the street, we all have only 24 hours a day. Don’t add more things to your plate if you can’t already. Avoid adding more unnecessary activities into your business. If you have to include non-essential, small continuous improvement processes into your business, always look to outsource them or automate them. Focus on what you are strong at, and delegate the activities which you are weak at.
Bruce Lee knew that in a world that is getting more complicated, keeping things simple is often the answer.
Now that you have read this list, which quote made an impact on you and why? Please share your comments in the comments section below.
To YOUR Online Success!
- Fabian
P.S. When Bruce Lee was at the lowest point in his life, he wrote a Mission Statement called “My Chief Personal Aim In Life”:
“I, Bruce Lee, will be the highest paid Oriental superstar in the United States. In return I will give the most exciting performances and render the best of quality in the capacity of an actor. Starting in 1970, I will achieve world fame and from then onward till the end of 1980 I will have in my possession the sum of $10,000,000—then I will live the way I please and achieve inner harmony and happiness.”
Although he did not achieve all of goals due to his tragic young death, he is certainly an inspiration to everyone of us.
20 Comments on this post
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Nutkicker said:
Great stuff Fabian.
I’m a big fan of Bruce Lee myself and agree with his philosophy of life.
Great how you put it into a business perspective!
Cheers,
Col
April 8th, 2010 at 12:28 pm -
Tyler said:
“A fight is not won by one punch or kick. Either learn to endure or hire a bodyguard.”
and
“Any technique, however worthy and desirable, becomes a disease when the mind is obsessed with it.”
These are the two quotes that gave me altitude…
April 8th, 2010 at 1:31 pm -
Pedro said:
excellent article Fab!
I liked very much your adaptation from Bruce Lee’s philosophies to IM!
Keep up the good work!
April 8th, 2010 at 1:32 pm -
Matt Duggan said:
This is one of the best ‘mindset’ posts I’ve read. I had no idea that Bruce Lee was quite such a philosopher. Had he not been so good at his art, he could well have been the Tony Robbins of his day, judging by the wisdom of his comments.
Thanks for sharing this Fabian. I’m going to tweet it and share it with my readers.
Matt
April 8th, 2010 at 1:34 pm -
Dolores said:
Great article. Love your take on Bruce Lee and how it applies to our business…and life. Thanks!
April 8th, 2010 at 2:11 pm -
Louise said:
Great article!
I am just starting IM and am struggling to stay focus and find my way. Quotes that really hit home are:“To hell with circumstances; I create opportunities.”
“I fear not the man who has practised 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practised one kick 10,000 times.”
“Eliminate “not clear” thinking and function from your root.”
Thanks for keeping me on track & now, back to work!
LouiseApril 8th, 2010 at 3:32 pm -
Lori James said:
Fabian,
This is an awesome post and these are things I needed to hear! I have way to many distractions and the distractions are going to have to come to a stop!
Bruce Lee’s philosophies are right on target – I’m going to share this with my readers as I’m sure there are so many others out there who need these philosophies as much as I do
Thanks,
Lori
April 8th, 2010 at 3:53 pm -
Hongsam said:
Awesome article Fabian!
“If you love life, don’t waste time, for time is what life is made up of.”
I like this!Thanks!
April 8th, 2010 at 6:04 pm -
Ray said:
Great Article, Fan, This makes sense.
Bruce Lee was a Major in Philosophy As Well As A Martial Artist.His Philosophy I have always believed carries on to your life also.
Here is another quote.
In The Landscape Of The Spring, Their in neither better nor worse. For some Branches, Grow Some Short, Some Long, Draw From Everything Around You Without Boundaries To Limit You.
April 8th, 2010 at 8:20 pm -
Mike said:
Great message and how it relates to internet marketing or marketing in general. It’s easy to get caught up in the latest greatest methods coming out with all the gurus promoting everyone’s new system one week then someone else’s next.
I like.
“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”That says it all for me.
Mike
April 8th, 2010 at 8:45 pm -
The Marketing Prfessional said:
Hi Fabian,
“Do not waste time, because that is what life is made up of” – wow that is profound and to the point. I watched Bruce Lee as a kid and am still amazed by his prowess, I also admire your ability to transfer the TAO of marketing into your essence as a human being!
With respect,
Mark “The Marketing Professional” Brown
April 9th, 2010 at 6:11 am -
Olayinka Abiodun said:
I particularly find these quotes quite impactful:
With the amount of money-making strategies and traffic generation tactics out there, it is dangerous to rely on any one strategy or tactic. Start off by becoming a master of one method (or ’style’) then incorporate other methods into your business to make it failure-proof. By implementing different methodologies, not only do you insulate yourself from risk, your business also expands faster.
“I fear not the man who has practised 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practised one kick 10,000 times.”
Thank you the motivation
April 9th, 2010 at 8:06 am -
William said:
Great post Fabian.
April 9th, 2010 at 9:34 am -
Dr. Michael said:
Fabian,
You did a GREAT job of integrating the Philosophy and Lifestyle of the Great Bruce Lee ((The Little Dragon…) into your Blog Post.
Your ability to draw parallels from Bruce’s Philosophies to the practices of Internet Marketing and Business Practices, in general, is very good.
Although I agree with the contents of the entire post, I can’t pick just one quote… However, I will say that
“To Hell with Circumstance; I Create Opportunities” fits MY Life’s Philosophy PERFECTLY!Thanks for providing such an instructional, yet inspiring Post.
Dr. Michael (The D.O.C.)
“Keep On, Keeping On…”April 9th, 2010 at 11:17 am -
omecool20 said:
Neat post in using Bruce Lee’s philosophy in explaining useful IM strategies
April 9th, 2010 at 11:47 am -
Sam Munro said:
Lee Jun Fan “Bruce” was indeed extraordinary he was able to take and adapt almost any discipline. make it his own and make it better. As well as a formidable practitioner Bruce also had a gift for teaching, the ability to explain things in such a way that every pupil could grasp, and if a pupil still had difficulty he could change his method to accommodate.
I remember talking with Kanazawa once when he came to Scotland as he regularly does. He told me that when he was training with Bruce he saw in him a man who was still eager to learn. This too is an aspect worthy of adopting, maintaining the excitement of learning.
April 9th, 2010 at 1:08 pm -
Sharath said:
Great Article. What a comparison. It’s so true. Most of the newbies make that mistake “I fear not the man who has practised 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practised one kick 10,000 times.”
I myself can vouch for that. Jumping program to program and getting carried away by those Squeeze Pages.
Now, I have learnt to practice 1 kick, 10000 times.
April 10th, 2010 at 8:01 pm -
Harold said:
Nice one Fabian,
You really pulled me in with this one.
The quote that hit me was the following:
“If you love life, don’t waste time, for time is what life is made up of.”We all feel that we are running out of time, and this fear can steer us into heading in a positive direction, or a negative direction. It it is obvious which direction you are on… I hope to emulate your path as well. Keep up the good work.
April 10th, 2010 at 10:51 pm -
Multimastery@Viral Marketing said:
I like the way that you tied in the the philosophies of Bruce Lee with Internet Marketing. It really provides a fresh spin on a subject that is often discussed. Thank you and Bruce.
April 17th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
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