“When diddy did this… I knew he was a mobster”….
### The Rise and Fall of Success Without Character
The recent charges against P. Diddy, including allegations of sex trafficking, have made headlines across the world. While it’s easy to get caught up in the scandal, for entrepreneurs, there’s a deeper lesson to be learned here. Wealth and power without character can be dangerous. If you get rich too early, before you’ve had time to develop your character, that success could very well lead to your downfall. I am not here to talk about the 1000 bottles of baby oil or anything… although… really! 1000. even Costco was shocked.
### The Millionaire Mindset
One of my favorite quotes is, “If someone hands you a million dollars, you better hurry up and become a millionaire.” What does this mean? It means that you must become the person capable of sustaining that wealth. Power, money, and respect — which, ironically, was the title of one of P. Diddy’s hit songs in the ‘90s — can lead you astray if you aren’t grounded. Jim Rohn once said, “Work harder on yourself than you do on your job.” This is crucial because when wealth and influence come, you have to work even harder on yourself to ensure you don’t lose everything.
### Wealth Without Character
This is where many celebrities go wrong. They accumulate vast sums of money, but their character doesn’t evolve to match their wealth. Their ego takes over, making them feel untouchable, as if the rules no longer apply to them. Narcissism can slip in unnoticed. I saw the warning signs with P. Diddy as early as the Shyne trial in the early 2000s, where a young woman accused him of involvement in a shooting. There were rumors that Diddy paid Shyne to take the fall, spending over a decade in prison. Back then, people were beginning to see Diddy as a monster, but what did he do? He shaved his head, ran a 5K run for cancer, and shifted the media’s focus. I was still in high school, but even then, I could see the manipulation at play. I thought, “That’s the mind of a mobster.”
### The Shifting Power Dynamics in Celebrity Culture
Today, we see a shift in power dynamics. Traditional celebrities are losing their influence as platforms like TikTok create new, everyday stars. The exclusivity of Hollywood is fading, and people like P. Diddy may be desperately clinging to what power they have left. While everyone deserves due process and should be considered innocent until proven guilty, this situation raises a broader issue about character and success.
### The Reality of Building a Sustainable Business
As a business coach, I see this issue all the time. Aspiring entrepreneurs often want success overnight. Many of my students dream of launching an online business, thinking they’ll be rich in a matter of weeks. They watch flashy YouTube videos of people claiming to make a million dollars in two weeks and assume that will be their story too. That’s why, in my course *Resell Profits Reloaded*, one of the first lessons focuses on mindset and character. I tell my students, “If you can find your ‘why’ for living, you can conquer any ‘how.’”
### The Importance of Character in Entrepreneurship
Building a business takes time. You’ll face rejection, and there will be months without profit. These challenges help build your character, which is essential for sustaining long-term success. If wealth comes too quickly, before your character is fully developed, it will slip through your fingers just as fast.
### Money does not mean happiness
I remember a time when I was literally searching for spare change in my couch cushions. A week later, I closed a $15,000 deal with a client. My business partner and I drove home from the bank in silence, confused by the emotional disconnect. Just a week ago, we were broke, and now we had money — but we didn’t feel any different. We went to dinner that night and ate in silence, unsure of why we weren’t celebrating. The next day, it hit me: money alone doesn’t bring happiness. Success isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. And that journey is what prepares you for your destiny.
### The Dangers of Success Without Purpose
When money is your only motivator, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Ego quickly becomes a factor. I like to use the acronym “EGO” to stand for “Edging God Out.” There’s a Bible verse that says, “You are a fool to think you are something when without Me, you are nothing.” Staying humble is key. You have to ground yourself, or you’ll be consumed by your ego.
### The Importance of Surrounding Yourself With the Right People
Another essential element is surrounding yourself with truth-tellers. Look at celebrities like P. Diddy and R. Kelly — they’re surrounded by people who never challenge them. These “yes men” enable their destructive behavior, often because they’re on the payroll and don’t want to lose their position. This is why I admire LeBron James, who hired his childhood friends as his entourage. These are people who will tell him the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable, because they care more about him than his money.
### Building Character in Entrepreneurship
In conclusion, character is essential for sustaining long-term success. Whether you’re a celebrity or an entrepreneur, it’s not enough to focus on wealth alone — you need to develop the person who can handle that wealth. If you find yourself on the fast track to success, here are four things you can do to build your character:
**1. Cultivate Humility:** Always stay grounded, no matter how much success comes your way. Remember, success is temporary, but character lasts.
**2. Surround Yourself with Honest People:** Keep people around who aren’t afraid to tell you the truth, even when it hurts. Avoid “yes men” at all costs.
**3. Focus on Personal Growth:** As Jim Rohn said, “Work harder on yourself than you do on your job.” True success comes from who you become, not just what you achieve.
**4. Embrace Rejection and Failure:** Understand that setbacks and failures are part of the journey. These experiences are what shape your character and prepare you for lasting success.
In the end, success without character is an illusion. If you want true, lasting success, focus on becoming the person who can sustain it.
Andrew Tremendous Jones
Peace and love!
