Do You!: 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success

by Russell Simmons, Chris Morrow

Overview

Since rising out of the New York City streets over twenty-five years ago, Russell Simmons has helped create such groundbreaking ventures as Def Jam Records, Phat Farm, and Def Comedy Jam. Russell might have helped introduce hip-hop to the world, but he credits his success to his belief in a strong set of principles—or laws. In twelve straightforward steps, Russell reveals a path that can be followed by anyone struggling to realize their dreams.

Russell’s laws stem from the belief that it’s impossible to receive any sort of lasting success from the world without giving something of lasting value to the world first. Blending business insight, universal spiritual truths, and an inspired sense of purpose, Do You! crosses the lines of age, race, and background, with wisdom that will lift you up and motivate you to pursue your vision.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781101216941
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	04/24/2007
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
File size:	721 KB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Master entrepreneur and visionary Russell Simmons has influenced virtually all aspects of business and media: in music with the co-founding of the immensely successful original Def Jam Recordings; in the fashion industry with the trail-blazing Phat Farm, Baby Phat, Run Athletics, and Def Jam University clothing lines; in film with Simmons Lathan Media Group; in television with HBO’s “The Def Comedy Jam” and “Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry”; on Broadway with the Tony Award winning stage production “Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam on Broadway”, and numerous other ventures in the financial services industry, mobile communications, and philanthropy. A native New Yorker, he is the proud father of two daughters.
Chris Morrow is the author of Stir It Up: Reggae Album Cover Art and has written about hip-hop and politics for numerous publications, including The Source and The New York Daily News. A resident of Brooklyn, New York, he has been working as a speechwriter for Russell Simmons since 2003.

Table of Contents

Foreword   Donald Trump     vii
Introduction     1
See Your Vision and Stick With It     11
Always Do You     41
Get Your Mind Right     67
Stop Frontin' and Start Today     91
Never Less Than Your Best     115
Surround Yourself With the Right People     143
There Are No Failures, Only Quitters     173
Science of Success: Plant the Good Seeds     197
You Can Never Get Before You Give     217
Successful People Stay Open to Change     243
Be Powerful, Be Heard     265
Spit Truth to Power     289
Epilogue     307
Acknowledgments     310

What People are Saying About This

Nas

Russell and I both are both from the streets of Queens—different neighborhoods, but a similar struggle. So I have a true appreciation and respect for the commitment he's made to uplifting himself in life. But I have even more respect for the commitment he's made to uplifting other people in the struggle as well. And these Laws are just another demonstration of that commitment. With Russell, it's never just been about stacking paper. He's never been satisfied just making a hot record or a hot jacket, he's always wanted to teach the rest of us how to make something hot too. So that we can enjoy the same kind of longevity he's enjoyed. And more importantly than the records or the clothes, Russell's always reminded us to speak our truth. He's encouraged us to stay on the side of right and share what in our hearts. This book is Russell's truth and if you listen to what he's saying, you'll find the inspiration and the knowledge to start the journey you want to take in life too.

Donald Trump

I consider him one of the great entrepreneurs out there today. Russell knows the market and he sees the future, and that's the ultimate businessperson.

JayZ

Simmons is the Godfather. Def Jam was the model that birthed Bad Boy, No Limit, Roc-A-Fella, and all these other labels. And then later, Phat Farm birthed Sean Jean, Rocawear, MarcJacobs, and all these other clothing companies. Russell is the architect of what we do.

Editorial Reviews

Nobody personifies hip-hop success better than Def Jam mogul Russell Simmons, an enterprising Queens native who turned himself into a nationally prominent music and fashion entrepreneur. In this frequently counterintuitive success guide, the founder of Russell Simmons Music Group explains why vision, not academic degrees guarantee success in the business world and advises young people to never change for the mainstream.

[Simmons] uses his hard-earned authority to tell slackers and whiners within and without the hip-hop world how to keep it real.

New York Times

The book communicates Mr. Simmons's ideas earnestly and without condescension. One suspects he may have produced another hit.

Wall Street Journal

Now in paperback, the New York Times bestselling guide from the "CEO of Hip-Hop"

BusinessWeek

Simmons is an entrepreneur and branding genius who has many hard-won successes in the worlds of hip-hop music, fashion, education, movies, and theater. He’s developed businesses that succeeded against conventional wisdom because their leaders were true to themselves. Here he uses the raw honesty of rap music to help listeners know when a personal direction or business idea is the real thing. Simmons comes off as an authentic player, a well-integrated one who can quote Eckhart Tolle, meditate, and eat vegetarian. Poet and stage performer Black Ice walks a balance between sounding cool—unconcerned about his listeners’ opinions—yet focused enough on his sound and message to earn their respect for his power and sincerity. T.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

OCT/NOV 07 - AudioFile