Charles Marcus This quarter our interview is with Charles M. Marcus.  Charles is a keynote speaker and author of the book Success Is Not A Spectator Sport.  Charles is truly a living inspiration and has a wonderful story to tell the world about overcoming overwhelming adversity, living a life of purpose and making a difference in the world.  We hope you value and apply the wisdom Charles shared with us in our most recent interview.  Enjoy!

 

What do you consider your greatest challenge in life and how did you overcome it?

 

My greatest challenge in life was to overcome a severe life long stuttering disability which held me back in so many areas of my life.

It took me over twenty five years to finally face my challenges, after running away from my fears, blaming everybody else for my situation, being a victim and procrastinating, to finally find the courage to seek the help I needed, taking total responsibility for my situation and   most important taking the action necessary for   success with my speech.

 

What are some of your success habits?

 

Taking time for people in my life who are important to me, especially my wife Mary       and my young children Rachel and Daniel.

Being true to my values and principles at all times, integrity is very important to me.

Having a strong work ethic, providing exceptional customer service and value for my clients at all times, not taking myself so seriously, treating failure and setbacks as a natural process to success and finally making a commitment to excellence in everything I do.

 

Who has had the biggest impact on your life?

 

That is a tough one to answer, as I mention in my book, so many people come to mind and have helped me in various stages of my life and in different ways, especially Vidal Sassoon, Joseph Scaglione and my wife Mary, but if I had to name one person it would be my speech teacher Andrew Bell. In 1986 when I made that commitment to go on Mr. Bell's stuttering course in Kirkaldy , Scotland , I was a sad reflection of the person I am today, in fact I was in pretty bad shape, emotionally, physically and mentally.

 

Andrew Bell not only gave me back my ability to speak, but he gave me the confidence to do anything I wanted to do. He made me believe in myself again and if it were not for him, I do not know where I would be today, certainly not in the position I am. I owe him so much.

 

If you could give one piece of advice to people what would it be?

 

Whatever it is you want to achieve in life be prepared to take the ACTION necessary. Realize there are no shortcuts, no quick fixes, no magic pills…be prepared to sacrifice, pay the price, accept responsibility and to take action………

 

To order Charles' recent book Success Is Not   A Spectator Sport, to sign up for his

FREE newsletter or for information regarding his speaking programs, please visit his website at www.cmarcus.com