Praise
Cliff Michaels delivers a powerful path to profits, passion, and purpose.
T ONY H SIEH
CEO, Zappos.com, #1 NY Times Bestselling Author - Delivering Happiness
Cliffs writing is full of creativity, inspiration, and practical lessons.
Whether youre a student or professional, I highly recommend this book.
B LAKE M YCOSKIE
Founder, Chief Shoe Giver, TOMS Shoes #1 NY Times Bestselling Author - Start Something That Matters
The 4 Essentials is a fun read.
Like Cliff, its full of passion with a blend of new ideas and timeless wisdom.
D AVE L OGAN
Former Associate Dean, USC Marshall Business School #1 NY Times Bestselling Co-Author - Tribal Leadership
A visionary leader and pioneering entrepreneur, Cliff Michaels sets the bar for life and business training. The 4 Essentials is a winning formula.
M ICHAEL C AITO
International Chairman, Entrepreneurs Organization
Intelligent and highly recommended! Cliff has that rare ability to connect with people at all levels.
A LLANA B ARONI
Featured Contributor for Socializing on Oprah.com, Author - Get Social
Cliffs concept for aMasters inBasicAbilities hits the nail on the head. He takes us on a life journey with pragmatic insights, offering a guide for anyone on their entrepreneurial path.
S UE H ESSE
Director, Foundation Partnerships, The Kauffman Foundation
Cliff Michaels 4 Essentials is a great framework for helping students achieve in school and succeed in life.
B ILL M ILLIKEN
Founder, Communities In Schools, Author - The Last Dropout
The 4 Essentials is an inspiring book for students and entrepreneurs worldwide. Cliff Michaels lessons are a dynamic standard for success.
S TEVE M ARIOTTI
Founder, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship
Cliff Michaels is the consummate entrepreneur with a contagious can-do spirit. Engaging and real, his personal story and life lessons are riveting. Im proud to call him a friend.
M ARY M AZZIO
Founder, 50 Eggs Films, Award-Winning Producer
From classroom to boardroom and Main Street to Wall Street,
The 4 Essentials should be required learning.
J IM W ELDON
CEO, Revenue Architects
The 4 Essentials is a game-changer for personal and professional growth. Cliff proves that anyone from artist to executive can master entrepreneurial thinking.
S HEP H YKEN
Shep Hyken, NY Times Bestselling Author - The Amazement Revolution
Theres too much theory out there. Cliff provides a real-world frameworkfor success. Thanks for bringing this important resource to the world.
D OUG M ELLINGER
Founder, Vice Chairman, Foundation Source
Original, entertaining, and thought-provoking! Cliff Michaels has written a street-wise yet disciplined approach to success.
A LEXANDER L. C APPELLO
CEO, Cappello Group / Chairman, Young Presidents Organization (2003-2005)
The 4 Essentials of Entrepreneurial Thinking is destined to be a classic.
Fans from Napoleon Hill to Malcolm Gladwell will love this book.
J AYME R IGGIO
CEO, Riggio Agency, Top 1%, Allstate Insurance
Cliff Michaels 4 Essentials is the nearest thing
to success in a bottle. Drink this book!
M IKE F AITH
CEO, Headsets.com
Powerful. Authentic. Practical. Cliffs street-smart style feels like a conversation with a trusted mentor.
M OHAMMED F ATHELBAB
CEO, Forum Resources Network
Our members raved! Cliffs humor, humility, and down-to-earthstyle make his real-world lessons fun and highly effective.
Y ANNIS P EYRET AND N ATHAN D OCTOR 2010 & 2011 Presidents, USC Entrepreneur Club
Cliff Michaels provides The 4 Essentials for a successful and fulfilling life.
P ETER H. T HOMAS
Chairman Emeritus, Entrepreneurs Organization
The 4 Essentials of Entrepreneurial Thinking What Successful People Didnt Learn in School
Copyright 2011 By Cliff Michaels
First Edition
Published by Cliff Michaels & Associates, Inc.
www.cliffmichaels.com
www.the4essentials.com
Ebook ISBN: 978-0-615-51911-1
All rights reserved. Except as permitted by U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the express written permission of the publisher.
Dedication
To my nieces and nephews Jenny, Rachel, Ian, Ryan, Ethan
Much love
To the misfits, dreamers, and risk-takers
Carpe diem
Mission
Inspire, give back, and raise the bar for education and entrepreneurship.
Giving Back
With each book you purchase, a FREE book is donated to a student. 10% proceeds also go to charities.
Share the Buzz
CLiffMichaels.com
Acknowledgements
In my walks, every man I meet
is my superior in some way, and in that, I learn from him.
R ALPH W ALDO E MERSON (1803 1882)
American Poet, Philosopher
A M ILLION T HANKS
To my sisters , Gigi and Eve Thanks for unconditional love and the midnight nosh. You always gave me a place to talk and laugh it out.
To esteemed colleagues spreading great ideas at TEDTalks, Young Presidents Organization (YPO), Entrepreneurs Organization (EO), and The Aspen Institute Continue raising the bar for education and entrepreneurship.
To countless mentors responsible for my real-world education through the years This book is my mission to pay it forward.
To interns, students , and campus organizations for tireless contribution to my work Your imagination has no boundaries. Keep rockin the boat!
To selfless volunteers who teach us about giving and gratitude Namaste.
To special friends Your support was instrumental to this book Allana Baroni, Michael Caito, Sally DeLuca, Scott Duffy, Judy & Tony East, Amir Esfahani, Mohammed Fathelbab, Kasra Ferasat, Nicole Frank, Brandon Franzke, Neema & David Ghannadi, Ridgely Goldsborough, Dan Goldstone, Rich Halvorson, Milad Hassani, Christine Hassler, Troy Hazard, Patrick Henry, Sue Hesse, Craig Honick, Shep Hyken, Mary Leonida, Gene Lim, Ross Loehner, Dave Logan, Adrian Mason, Mary Mazzio, Doug Mellinger, Bill Milliken, Kam Najmi, Nina Nazar, Jason Niedle, Chris Novy, Steve Phillips, Marsha Ralls, Rob Richman, Jason & Jayme Riggio, Sam Roham, Michael Shillan, Diane Sillan, Jake Strom, Jim Weldon.
To my parents Thanks for the gift of an adventurous soul.
To Inspirational Mentors
Thanks for sharing your passion and vision