Get Rice: Ronnie O'Brien Rice, Ph.D., Lawyer

Being prepared is an essential element of success. Being prepared has allowed me to walk through so many doors of opportunities that were opened for me. Some times I get asked the age-old-question, “how did I become successful?” My response to this question comes in many forms, but one of them is inevitably I was prepared. A lot of times, we wait on some one to tell us how to prepare e.g., how to answer interview questions for a job, which areas of a subject we should study, etc. However, I think we should make up in our minds on how to prepare for the opportunities that may not be as straightforward as studying for a chemistry exam. This way of thinking takes a level of strategic foresight, creativity and self-discipline to accomplish a certain level of success in any particular field. Strategic foresight allows one to see the future and adjust to the upcoming changes. Creativity allows you to make those changes in a way that may not pop-out at you at front glance. Self-discipl...

Self-Discipline is something that should be celebrated and not frowned upon. I think if we learn to embrace the reasons and consequences of self-discipline more, we will find our selves in a better place each day. I know it may be hard to stick to a work out plan, study for school or even save money when there are so many enticing distractions. However, if we learn to look at the overall goals, those distractions become less enticing each time we are faced with them. From personal experience, the areas and instances I have failed were when I was heavily distracted with something major in my life e.g., a college exam, a financial issue, etc. But, the point I realized that has kept me on the winning side of life thus far is to handle those issues at that specific time without loosing focus of the overall purpose of my life. For example, I had a difficult professor who was very strict on the type of books we needed to have for class, and the time we were to show up for class. For a lot o...

Many times, you hear that a picture is worth a thousand words. For me, this statement gives power to both pictures and words. Examine, how much power words have. If we were to measure one thing by using something else, both items have some significant amount of power. It suggests that at the foundation the comparing item is worth a lot from the beginning. Many people ignore words and the power they have regardless of being verbal and written. Some people talk about obtaining success through positive thinking and attracting wealth into your life, but another way of obtaining success is by using words. Specifically, this post is about the importance of being careful of your writings and verbal communications. In some instances, what you say and write can be used in the court of law. (Now, this is not any legal advice by any means.) I’m just stating that a contract made verbally or written can be used as evidence in a courtroom. So if words can be used in courtroom, there must be a...

I rarely post from biblical scripture, but I think this particular scripture is something that I’ve personally dealt with at times. And I was reminded of it when a good friend of mines talked with me late last week. Essentially, it is important to listen quickly, speak carefully and hold back your anger. For some time now, I never really understood why so many people had something to say about your life, but had little to no control over theirs. The answer was simple. Folks didn’t adhere to this scripture or at least didn’t understand the reasoning behind it. I think it is important to listen to what others are saying through verbal communication and actual behaviors. A friend of a friend passed away recently through suicide and looking back on my interactions with this person, I would have listen more to him. At a glance, he was out going, funny and witty. However, he was covering up a lot of hurt and mental issues inside. I think if we pay more attention to others and not our own si...

I just got off the phone with a friend of mines talking about another business idea and I think it is important to discuss business opportunities with others’ resources. But, I think it is more important to know what you can do with what you have. I think too many times, we fail in certain areas in our lives in which we are trying to do more with resources we don’t have. Don’t get me wrong; I think it is important to have a vision and make efforts to obtain goals beyond your current situation because that’s one of the reasons why America has thrived. Conversely, I mean using the resources that you have at your disposal to get to the next level. Some of the thought processes that have helped me to get to this level of success are engaging the people around me, using my current skills and trusting in God. One of the steps to success is engaging those around you to become more knowledgeable and fluent in your business or life. Surrounding yourself with others who are doing the same t...

I’ve learned recently that being you is about doing what makes you feel good and is morally right. When you turn on the television, you may find many people who are flaunting their bodies, money and fame. The reasons for doing this may be many, but one of the reoccurring themes I find with people like this is that they have either an inferiority complex or a superiority complex. Either complex is not good for the soul. I think in the age of having Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites, some people may get caught in others’ perceived lavished lifetime. It is definitely understandable, but I think there are several things we can do to make sure we don’t fall in to envy, hatred or doubt because of what some one else has: knowing your worth and not looking down on others because of their current situation. Don’t put yourself below anyone to make someone feel good about himself or herself while not doing the opposite either. You may become complacent. I think there is a place for ...