SUCCESS FACTORS
5 Steps To Building An
‘ Extraordinarily ’ Successful Business And Life
“ 98 % of America would rather be comfortable than be excellent ; isn ’ t that sad ?”
– Dr . Nido Qubein
Amid a sea of sameness and ordinary , Dr . Nido Qubein , President of High Point University ( HPU ) gives the call to action : “ Choose to be extraordinary .” Advocating this guiding principle to students and entrepreneurs , Dr . Qubein believes whether you have an ordinary life or an extraordinary one is a choice you make each day .
Dr . Qubein exemplifies what it means to transcend the ordinary . He transformed HPU from a small mediocre college into an explosively growing , vibrant university , leading the pack in academic excellence , innovation , and creativity . No obstacle holds him back . During the Great Recession from 2007 – 2009 , HPU experienced tremendous growth . Philanthropic investors generously and eagerly provided funding and resources , with gifts over $ 300 million . This wasn ’ t a stroke of luck , either . In
2020 , while navigating the pandemic amid one of the worst economic disruptions in history ( college enrollment was down double digits nationwide ), HPU had their largest enrollment ever and was up 6 %.
Being extraordinary isn ’ t just something Dr . Qubein preaches to others . It ’ s a decision he makes for himself every single day . And what an extraordinary life he ’ s led . After his father died when he was 6 , he was raised by his single mother who had a fourth-grade education and “ a degree in common sense .” When he was 17 years old , he came to the U . S . from Lebanon with $ 50 in his pocket and little command of the English language . He supported himself with numerous entrepreneurial endeavors while attending college . His business ventures include growing a bank and Fortune 500 companies , serving as chairman of an international consulting firm , and serving on and chairing boards of national companies . He ’ s authored a dozen books and delivered more than 7,500 speeches . As a philanthropist , he ’ s served as director or chairman of many organizations . His awards , accolades , and accomplishments are far too many to list .
But he doesn ’ t strive for excellence and to be extraordinary for recognition or to impress anyone . “ I want to be best in class , not because I want to prove anything , but because I want to lay my head on the pillow that day feeling I gave it my very best ,” Dr . Qubein said .
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