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I've been blessed to have interviewed many interesting local and national famous people over the past decade while gratefully serving our community as the Chamber’s CEO and host of WFMZ-TV's Business Matters. I’ve met more people than I ever dreamed of, and I’m loving every minute of it! I asked myself what is it that I learned from these famous/successful people who've achieved so much. Allow me to share my personal take on a few virtues that may just be helpful to you or your children in achieving your goals: Mario Andretti: He embodies the adage, "Find something you love and pursue it with a vengeance." He loves racing and that passion translated into huge success. Also, he happens to be one of the nicest, most genuine people you'll ever meet and that hasn't hurt his career long after he stopped racing. Even after traveling the world he still calls the Lehigh Valley his home, demonstrating his strong connection to his community and how the Lehigh Valley provides people an amazing quality of life. Elmer Gates: He's a local famous guy, but he taught me to have the courage of my convictions. I can be dogged by self-doubt on occasion, and he always talked me down and offered me a new perspective. Sometimes we can be our biggest obstacle. Elmer started with virtually nothing and made it big. He always reminded me that he was a very shy kid growing up who reinvented himself and learned to believe he'd do great things. Hillary Clinton: When someone is nice to your kids, you remember that. She was very kind, relaxed and open during our interview (of course I was throwing her softballs), but she couldn't have been more generous especially to my then-young daughter. I learned the value of focus from her. She was spot-on during the interview while thousands were chanting her name and calling for her to take the stage and speak at a rally. She lives in a very large, glass house and somehow survives it. She's had failures, but at least she's not afraid to get in the game. Tony Orlando: I have no doubt why his success has endured, because anyone who meets Tony leaves feeling better about themselves. He's a person who has performed with legends like Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Elvis and more. He could so easily be filled with himself but strives to be humble and inclusive of everyone he meets. He's nothing but a regular guy who is kind and very positive, even though he too has seen life's ups and downs. Jim Cook (Sam Adams CEO): He joked that he came from a long line of “failed brew masters.” In truth, there were past failures, but he never stopped dreaming and we all recognize what Sam Adams is today. Lesson learned, never stop dreaming and adjust your vision until you make it happen. A very non-pretentious guy who could afford anything but is more interested in enjoying life's journey. If you can look in the mirror and be happy — most of the time — with who's looking back at you, you've succeeded. I'll sum it up by saying, stay positive even when it feels impossible to do so, learn to believe in yourself, love yourself for who you are and always be relentless in pursuing your dream. That will mean a lot of hard work, but chances are you will get there. If you love what you're doing and continue to follow your dream, the hard work comes easy. Often life is not exactly what most of us dream it will be. But, if you can look in the mirror and be happy — most of the time — with who's looking back at you, you've succeeded. Remember, none of us is perfect. We are all a work in progress. My advice: Enjoy the ride! Tony Iannelli is president and CEO of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at tonyi@lehighvalleychamber.org. Read the original article here.
I've been blessed to have interviewed many interesting local and national famous people over the past decade while gratefully serving our community as the Chamber’s CEO and host of WFMZ-TV's Business Matters. I’ve met more people than I ever dreamed of, and I’m loving every minute of it! I asked myself what is it that I learned from these famous/successful people who've achieved so much. Allow me to share my personal take on a few virtues that may just be helpful to you or your children in achieving your goals:
Mario Andretti: He embodies the adage, "Find something you love and pursue it with a vengeance." He loves racing and that passion translated into huge success. Also, he happens to be one of the nicest, most genuine people you'll ever meet and that hasn't hurt his career long after he stopped racing. Even after traveling the world he still calls the Lehigh Valley his home, demonstrating his strong connection to his community and how the Lehigh Valley provides people an amazing quality of life. Elmer Gates: He's a local famous guy, but he taught me to have the courage of my convictions. I can be dogged by self-doubt on occasion, and he always talked me down and offered me a new perspective. Sometimes we can be our biggest obstacle. Elmer started with virtually nothing and made it big. He always reminded me that he was a very shy kid growing up who reinvented himself and learned to believe he'd do great things. Hillary Clinton: When someone is nice to your kids, you remember that. She was very kind, relaxed and open during our interview (of course I was throwing her softballs), but she couldn't have been more generous especially to my then-young daughter. I learned the value of focus from her. She was spot-on during the interview while thousands were chanting her name and calling for her to take the stage and speak at a rally. She lives in a very large, glass house and somehow survives it. She's had failures, but at least she's not afraid to get in the game. Tony Orlando: I have no doubt why his success has endured, because anyone who meets Tony leaves feeling better about themselves. He's a person who has performed with legends like Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Elvis and more. He could so easily be filled with himself but strives to be humble and inclusive of everyone he meets. He's nothing but a regular guy who is kind and very positive, even though he too has seen life's ups and downs. Jim Cook (Sam Adams CEO): He joked that he came from a long line of “failed brew masters.” In truth, there were past failures, but he never stopped dreaming and we all recognize what Sam Adams is today. Lesson learned, never stop dreaming and adjust your vision until you make it happen. A very non-pretentious guy who could afford anything but is more interested in enjoying life's journey.
If you can look in the mirror and be happy — most of the time — with who's looking back at you, you've succeeded. I'll sum it up by saying, stay positive even when it feels impossible to do so, learn to believe in yourself, love yourself for who you are and always be relentless in pursuing your dream. That will mean a lot of hard work, but chances are you will get there. If you love what you're doing and continue to follow your dream, the hard work comes easy. Often life is not exactly what most of us dream it will be. But, if you can look in the mirror and be happy — most of the time — with who's looking back at you, you've succeeded. Remember, none of us is perfect. We are all a work in progress. My advice: Enjoy the ride! Tony Iannelli is president and CEO of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at tonyi@lehighvalleychamber.org.