Learn how to develop your sense of self with one of the best speakers to ever tackle the subject, Les Brown. But don’t go in thinking he’s just a theorist — the man has lived a life worth learning from.

Les Brown is one of the most successful and well-known personal development speakers in the world. His Georgia Dome speech remains one of the most impressive and motivational speeches since Steve Jobs commencement speech. While his success is impressive, his life story makes it seem that achieving greatness would be impossible.

Les Brown was born in an abandoned building with his twin brother Wesley in a low-income section of Miami known as Liberty City. His mother gave them both up after birth and was adopted by a 38-year-old woman who was a cafeteria attendant. At five years old he was labeled educable mentally retarded (EMR), held back a grade, and referred to as the “dumb twin” by his teachers.

After a difficult 16 years, Les’ life changed when a high school teacher told him something that would alter the course of his life forever. He told the teacher, “Sorry I can’t do that. I’m educable mentally retarded.” The teacher got up from his desk and said, Someone’s opinion of you does not have to become your reality.”

While this moment changed his life, he still struggled both financially and professionally for years. But, with an unending desire to succeed Les Brown finally broke through when he was given a chance to go on air as a local DJ. Once the world heard his voice and his message his growth was exponential. Les went on to host his own TV show, serve in the Ohio House of Representatives, publish several books, and become a nationally recognized speaker.

Having heard him speak live I can say his voice echoes the sound of hope and his story proves that anything is possible when you have passion to achieve your full potential.

Here are 21 Les Brown quotes to help you find your inner greatness and live your dreams:

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It’s necessary that you align yourself with people and attract people into your business that are hungry. People that are unstoppable and unreasonable. It’s necessary to get the losers out of your life if you want to live your dreams.

Help others achieve their dreams and you will achieve yours.

You have to know within yourself that you can do this. 

You cannot expect to achieve new goals or move beyond your present circumstances unless you change.

Forgive yourself for your faults and your mistakes and move on.

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As you reach your goals set new ones. That is how you grow and become a more powerful person.

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.

When life knocks you down, try to land on your back. Because if you can look up, you can get up. Let your reason get you back up.

Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.

No matter how bad it is or how bad it gets I am going to make it.

You will win if you don’t quit.

You need to make a commitment and once you make it then life will give you some answers.

Review your goals twice every day in order to be focused on achieving them.

If you take responsibility for yourself you will develop a hunger to accomplish your dreams.

The easiest thing I ever did was earn a million dollars. The hardest thing I ever did, and it took years, was believing I was capable of earning a million dollars.

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Do what is easy and your life will be hard. Do what is hard and your life will become easy.

When your why is big enough you will find your how.

You gotta be hungry.

The greatest revenge is massive success.

You are the only real obstacle in your path to fulfilling it.

You have greatness within you. You can do more than you can ever begin to imagine.

Feeling inspired? Watch this video for more Les Brown wisdom:

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