There are no coincidences to winning. No one wins by chance or luck.

Society and statistics tell us that because I’m biracial, was born in the projects, lived on welfare, had an alcoholic for a father, and came from a single-parent home that I was going to be a loser; with a capital L.

That I supposedly would never have control of what ultimately would determine my future success.

But my reality is different. I’m not a loser. I’m a winner! Why? Because winners want to win. Winners think about winning all the time. Let me share with you my “6 Building Blocks For Winning.”

First – Winners must eat, sleep, and breathe the concept of victory–of being number one. If you want to be in first place, you must first see yourself there.

Second – Never let others’ experiences become your reality! You are the only one who can officially determine who and what you will become. Never let anyone create your world for you, because they will always create it too small.

Third – Winners hate losing. Everyone experiences hard times and struggles, but all winners have one thing in common, and that is we don’t like to lose. Winners understand that through the thick and thin, we must win! Failure is not an option.

Fourth – Surround yourself with other winners. I have made it a personal goal to constantly introduce myself to–and continuously surround myself with–people who stretch me. Get out of your comfort zone. It’s hard to move to a higher level if everyone around you is beneath you or on the same level as you. You can’t learn to swim in shallow waters. Don’t be afraid of the deep.

Fifth – Have mentors. Winners understand and value the importance of having mentors. Mentor’s jobs are to protect us, encourage us, teach us, and yes, even admonish us. True mentors will tell us what we need to hear, instead of what we want to hear.

Sixth – Success is not an option. Winners don’t see success as an option; we see it as something we must have. While the majority of the world is talking about what they want to have happen, the mentality of the winner is focused on what MUST happen. As a winner, you must be able to convert every one of your wants to your musts.