Motivator Of The Week

“Motivator of the Week! Mr. Karim Ellis

Motivator of the Week!

Click here to check out this feature article interview

Mr. Karim Ellis

What does it take to motivate, inspire, infuse, influence, and lead others? It takes a rare breed of person, who has, at-first, gone through the fiery flames of self-examination, only to come out of it, bearing the secrets of human transformation.

Karim Ellis is that person. A national/international motivational speaker with a message of transformation and financial empowerment. We caught up with Karim and asked him to share some of his “Success Strategies,” and steps he takes to get and remain motivated!

1. What’s the number one thing you do to get motivated?

I like to spend sometime mediating on what I want to accomplish while using the right music to set the tone. How you start the journey sets the overall tone for how you finish. Motivation is all about manifesting and unleashing focus. I like to get a keen sense of what I want to accomplish and then I tie it specifically to the emotion of “why”. Why is it important to get it done? Why is it important to keep on going? Why is it important to make it to the finish line? The word “why” is one of the most powerful words in the English language.

2. What motivates you?

I’m motivated by the concept of stimulating other people to think outside their comfort zone. There is greatness inside everyone however only a mere few decide to achieve it. The human mind is similar to a rubber band. Once you stretch it, it can never go back to its original shape and form. My purpose has been to stretch the mindset for those around me. I want people to think bigger, dream bigger and live bigger because I had the opportunity to pour into them. Everyone has a measure of greatness. No one should sit on their deathbed at the end of their days with the belief that they limited their own greatness. I encourage individuals to tap the internal well of greatness. Pour out everything the Almighty has blessed you with. Live full, die empty and along the journey dream big.

3. What is the number one factor that prevents others from succeeding?

The number one factor that stops others from succeeding isn’t finances, education, environment, or even peers. The number one factor is failing to understand that success comes from focusing on the “why’ not the “how”. Many people limit their potential because they stay fixated on the “how-to” manuals in life. They want to know everything they can about something before they take a step. The minute they come to the conclusion that they are lacking something in this department then they tend to toss in the towel and give up. That all changes when you begin to focus on the reason “why” you want something. Your “why” will allow you to focus solely on the things that all dreams are made of. The word “Why” will tap your creativity and imagination. It will continue to stimulate you even when you hit that proverbial brick wall that you can’t get around. Spend your time, effort and energy focusing on the “why”.  This way when the “how-to” doesn’t show up, it doesn’t matter. Your “Why” is always designed to be more powerful than your “how”.

4. What’s more important, remaining in the present or placing yourself in the future you want to create?

Definitely your future. Every 60 seconds your present tense instantly becomes your past. All you need to do is take one minute looking at a clock to see that I’m right. There is nothing you can do about the past except learn from it, however the future my friend is where you are always headed. When you input an address in a G.P.S. you are locking in on a future destination. You’re traveling from you’re here to your there. The G.P.S. will give you the best route to get there and it will provide you with an estimation of the travel time. In life you are always placing future items, goals, and dreams into life’s big G.P.S. You can’t get directions or understand the travel time involved until you know where you want to go. So where do you want to go? Your future awaits.

5. How do you handle downtime as it relates to delays associated with obtaining your dream?

Some people look at downtime as a setback. Downtime is great for restructuring, redirecting, reflecting, and most importantly replenishing. My mind is always moving so downtime does come hard depending on the project or goal I’m currently working on however every living thing must recharge. Think of it like a car battery. A car battery has the sole task of provide enough juice to get the car started. Then the battery takes a rest to conserve its charge. The alternator takes over immediately to power the electrical functions of the car. A battery that doesn’t rest has an extremely short shelf life and eventually will have too little juice to jump-start anything. You work the same exact way. Going hard in the paint feels great however the rest time frame is crucial towards bringing out your Greatness on a daily basis.

6. Who motivates you?

In order: God, my family, my mentors and my past. I included my past because it’s an awesome reminder of my present tense and a portal towards my future. In order to get to this stage of my life I’ve had to be extremely diligent about who I’ve allowed myself to be surrounded by. We are creatures of our comfort zone and we tend to mimic the environments of our surroundings. Our comfort zones are comprised of everyone we deal with on a regular basis. Choose wisely as this can be a blessing or a curse. You can plant a seed anywhere however it will only grow in the right soil. This is why you must be careful where you allow yourself to be planted. Plant yourself around champions and heroes that are doing the very things you choose to do. This way you set the bar of Excellence high all while standing in the richest and most fertile soil.

7. What is the greatest dream you made true up to this point?

I’m living my dream right now. My earliest dream was to take control of my life and forge a path towards my destiny as an entrepreneur, investor and motivational speaker.  It’s been a decade since I’ve started and things can only increase. A dream is another word for a vision. Without a vision for our lives, people eventually perish. I believe we should all have a vision for our lives. If you fail to produce a vision of your own you will end up sharecropping your gifts and talent in the service of another person’s dream. Remember a sharecropper works the field but never owns the land. Sharecropping in someone else’s dream may pay the bills but you are placing a limitation on what I believe you are truly designed to do and accomplish. Dream Big.

8. Is there any advice you can offer to a young person who has big dreams but doesn’t know how to make them come true?

Absolutely, the first thing you should do is selectively find out who around you currently has a similar dream. In other words look to your sphere of influence, use the Internet, or ask around by networking. Someone out there is currently doing or has done the very same thing you want to accomplish. The second trick besides studying is to find a Good mentor.  Mentors are the secret warp zones that usher you into your destiny at warp speed. Study to craft to show thyself approved and utilize the wisdom that you can only gain from a good mentor. You don’t have to create a path through the jungle. Chances are someone has already done it for you. Simply follow and improve upon the path laid before you.

9. What do you say to the person who has given up on their dreams?

A dream that doesn’t meet its accomplished end is nothing more than a wish. The last I checked, wishes only come true in Disney movies. In real life, your dreams are going to cost you something but are you truly willing to pay the price. Success in life doesn’t come easy, which is why so few people accomplish their dreams. The first thing one must do is to identify the exact reason why they have given up. Every dream has a dream killer. In the story of David, the Giant Goliath was the appointed dream killer designed solely to block David from accomplishing his dream. A dream killer only has the authority to which your bestow it. I find that most people have stopped short because they have looked to strongly at the “how” and not the “why”. Every enemy has a weak point including your dream killer. Find the weakness and go for the jugular. Once you know the reason why you have given up, then you may begin to combat it. Remember your dream typically is not just for you. Often times your dream in motion is designed to create positive change in others around you. It’s a domino effect. Don’t go to your grave with the knowledge that you have allowed a dream to be buried with you. Nothing grows in the graveyard except grass.

10. What are your 3 favorite books that motivate you?

This is hard because I am an avid reader. I love self-help and entrepreneurial books. School education will give you a job. Self help books will give you a life. I’m a huge john Maxwell fan however my top 3 reads are:

The Laws of Success in 16 lessons – Napoleon Hill

Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

Caught Between A Dream & A Job- Delatorro McNeal II

11. When you think about turning dreams to things, what closing words would you like to leave readers with?

Stop asking the world for permission to dream big. When you ask for permission you run a strong chance of being told the word “no” because most people don’t want to invest in your dream. Most people want you to remain in your current comfort zone. Dreaming big disrupts the status quo and the world hates change. You don’t need to raise your hand.  You don’t need to ask your job for permission. You don’t need to conduct a poll of your peers and acquaintances. Put your hand down and just simply do it. The world is full of big dreamers and there is always room at the dinner table for more. Become a big dreamer and even larger do-er.  Dream Big my friend…Dream Big.

Karim R. Ellis is a Dynamic Motivational Speaker and thought champion that hails from Cincinnati, Ohio.

Overcoming poverty & homelessness more than a decade ago, he currently strives to change the fates of those

around him by teaching the Powerful wealth concept of  “Monetizing Your Passion”. And idea that focuses solely on unlocking your unique gift & talents, understanding your life’s passion and pursuing your ultimate purpose while getting paid to do so. He is also the CEO of Empowered Education Unlimited LLC, a company which helps individuals from all over the world embrace and unlock their inner entrepreneurial greatness.