As I sat down to write this to share some valuable takeaways with you, I realized that I could really write a book to share all the words of wisdom and insights from some really influential people I've personally met and heard from in the past…They are Tim Ferriss (Four Hour Work Week), Sir Richard Branson,  Bill Phillips (Transformation), and Joe Sugarman, just to name a few. 

Been a great experience for me being under the influence of such sharp, wise and successful people, so here are some of my takeaways from my favorites above that I hope you too will benefit from.

Sir Richard Branson: 
"    Always Do things Differently despite what the business and marketing experts tell you.  Be Unique.  Go into an industry where the competition is doing a crappy job and blow the competition away by Being Outstanding.
"    Do Your Own Thing Regardless of Criticism.  You Must Develop a Thick Skin. 
"    Work Extra Hard to Make sure the Promise of Your Brand is Always Fulfilled.  The Virgin Brand represents Innovation, Fun, Entertainment and Value for Money.  This philosophy is demonstrated whether you fly Virgin Atlantic, Virgin America or Visit a Virgin Megastore.  Everything Virgin has the same theme, philosophy and culture across the 350 businesses with over 50,000 employees that Branson has developed under the Virgin Brand.  He refers to this as "Branded Venture Capitalism."
"    Employees and Your Entire Team must Understand the Mission, Feel Passion and Pride to work for your company.
"    In the early stages of your business Your #1 Goal is TO SURVIVE.  Branson says that there is a fine line between Survival and Success so first focus on your survival before worrying about other people.
"    Don't worry about becoming a technical expert.  Just get really good at finding the best people to run your companies or the technical aspects of your business.  Incentivize them to do well and don't beat them up when mistakes are made.  Truly Master the Art of Delegation.  This is one of his secrets to success.
"    Always Pay Attention to the Details in Everything you Do.  Pay Close Attention to Your Client and Customer Experiences.  He says that this is why Virgin America is the Best American Airline:  Guests are Thrilled, Crew is Smiling and Happy, The Best Food and Entertainment on Board with Value for you Money.
"    Be sure to Have Fun in Your Business!  Because so many hours in the day are spent at work, it is critical that you as CEO make sure that the people who work for your company have fun and enjoy their lives.  Fun starts from the Top Down!
"    Don't waste your Wealth!  Put it to good use and you will get a lot of Satisfaction.

Bill Phillips:
"    "Just Get the Confidence and Energy to Apply what you Already Know.  You don't need anymore Ideas.  Just Do It."
"    Have a Morning Ritual:  Read Something Inspiring & Contemplate it.  Have 5 minutes of Silence and Prayer.  Exercise.
"    Taking Care of Yourself and Your Health Is The Most Important Thing for you to do.
"    You cannot choose Success or Transformation for just 1 Area of Your Life!  It must be all-encompassing and Holistic.  Physical Energy sits at the foundation of all that we do.  Be filled with Positive and Physical Energy.
"    Becoming Inspired is Part of Channeling Energy. 
"    Have the Intention of Living a Rich, Quality Life - Be Spiritually Rich.  Why?  So that you can share, give and be an example to others.  (Turns out that Bill Phillips is the largest donor to the Make A Wish Foundation.)
"    Practice the Law of Reciprocation:  Give with no strings attached. 
"    Eat Right & Do a Healthy Spaces Makeover to Your Home.  Get rid of toxic foods from your cupboards and refrigerators.
"    Work on Your Relationship with yourself.  Learn to Keep Commitments & Self Promises to Yourself.  Work on yourself as you Work on your Business.
"    "Rock Bottom is an Elevator You Can Get off At Anytime."

Joe Sugarman:
"    "If You Focus on Money, You end up working really hard.  To Make Money, Focus on Helping Others."
"    "I am successful because I failed many times and learned what DOES NOT work."
"    NEVER be attached to Any Outcome:  If a project fails, IT DOES.  People don't know you for your failures.
"    Always Test.  Never Fall in Love with Your Copywriting.
"    Storytelling in Your Ads is very important.
"    Whatever Happens to You, Truly Happens for the Best.

Tim Ferriss:
"    Focus on High Profit Customers with a Personal Touch.  Typically your High Profit Customers are Low Maintenance and your Low Profit/High Maintenance Customers are Low Profit.  Really analyze this in your business.
"    Be willing to Fire Customers and Set Ground Rules for doing business with you. 
"    Train others to read and respond to your emails and phone calls to free up your time.
"    Your Goals should be:  The Most Income with the Least Hassles
"    You can't please everyone!  People will always want to manufacture emergencies for you, so maintain control of your time and energies.
"    Exchange Life Experiences for Money.  Income is ONLY valuable to the extent that you can use it.
"    Redesign your company or Shut it Down if it's not WORKING for you.  It must serve your needs and your lifestyle goals.  You must not be a slave to it.
"    Put everything on autopilot where possible.  Take care to still maintain the human touch.
"    Small things are Big Things:  get rid of those things that take even a little of your time.  They still take up space in your memory bank!
"    If you chose not to define and prioritize your time, it will be done for you.  This is Your Time!
"    Choose Relationships and Projects Wisely!  They consume your attention and time and because you have a finite amount of energy you want to be very selective about what you choose to do and who you choose to be with.

…much to ponder above.