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

Observation is important because it tells you about the people around, your current situation, and possible opportunities for growth. Think about it! How many times have you realized that someone is not good for you? The company you work for does not plan on promoting you. Or the high number of opportunities that have passed you by just because you were not paying attention to your environment or those around you. Simply put, observation is one of the major tools that any successful person can use. Sometimes, others may consider observant people as shy, reserved, or uninvolved. However, these are the people you might want on your team. People who are very observant, are the same people who will have your back when others are dragging your name through the mud. These are the same people who when they speak everyone listen. For what it is worth, these people can be considered the analytical people on the team. I like to call these individuals, The Oracle. A fictional character in ...

One of my taglines in business and law is ‘be honest with yourself even when you aren’t honest with everybody else.’ You deserve to be honest with yourself. The logic is simple. If you are lying to yourself, chances are, you are lying to others. And if you are lying to yourself and others, who are you being honest with? In life, it is important to have someone to talk to, especially yourself. Self-talk is most communication you are going to have with any human being. Now, I know this all sounds redundant, but to take your life, business, and relationships to the next level; you need a solid foundation. And in the mix of that foundation there needs to be honesty. Being honest with yourself has several perks:   (1) an avenue to relieve life’s pressure, (2) gives you a baseline to start, (3) gives you realistic goals to strive towards, and (4) you don’t have to worry about living someone’s thoughts and/or dreams about you. All of this might seem trivial to you but ask so...

“You need to bend fear into moments of action at every opportunity, because the fearless not only recognize, but also often reward one of their own.” ~ 50 Cents a.k.a. Curtis Jackson There are two sides of fear:   (1) fear is your enemy; or (2) fear helps protect you from known dangers. There is truth in both statements.   Fear, if not contained, can serve as your enemy. As a father, I had to realize that there is a difference between having your child respect and fear you. Respect is a necessary worldview that a child needs to hold for a trusted parent. Respect is the foundation of all great relationships. Fear, on the other hand, is making a person quiver at the sight, sound, and thought of something or someone. This is helpful when boxing, but not when you are in an intimate relationship with a spouse, children, etc. Another belief about fear is that it helps protect you from known dangers. You might have heard of the ancient story of mankind and discovering new a...

“The goal is not just be successful. It’s about learning how to sustain that success too.”  Curtis Jackson a.k.a. 50 Cent. For all of those who read my posts, YES, I think 50 Cent is one of the greatest of all time. Not only for his rap career, but his success in other arenas. He exemplifies a ‘mover and shaker.’ Many times, people ask me ‘why obtained a PhD and JD?’ The answer is simple:  Success begets success. Meaning, just because you are successful today does not mean you will be successful tomorrow. It is a great indication that you will be successful, but it is not a definitive reality. As a lawyer, I have seen a lot of money pass through people’s hands, LIKE MILLIONS! Some people invested it wisely and others spent all they could, THIS INCLUDES THE MILLIONS. I have learned in both situations that the one who invests wisely is the person who is looking to sustain their success. Whether they are investing in stocks, partnering with start-up companies,...

“It’s always better to empower the people around you to live their truth. When you force them to perpetuate a role, eventually people will see it.” ~ Curtis Jackson a.k.a. 50 cent I have encountered successful leaders who force their personalities and beliefs upon others. And the only reason they impose on other people is because of their success. I have learned success is a strange and peculiar experience. Once someone attains it, there is a self-righteousness that eludes that person. And that person thinks that they have all the answers to life’s problems. If others do not fall in-line with the leader’s belief other person is often ostracized. However, I find that this is usually the downfall of most companies and success stories. Think about the number of entertainment artist and business executives who were on top of their game years ago but are nowhere to be found now. Longevity in success is usually found in recognizing opportunities in day-to-day transactions. ...