12 Principles That Make A Champion
On And Off The Field
Emmitt Smith is best known as the NFL ’ s all-time leading rusher , a Pro Football Hall of Famer , and a “ Dancing with the Stars ” champion . But he ’ s also a respected entrepreneur , sought-after speaker , bestselling author , and one of the most valuable personal brands in the sports-entertainment field . As chairman of E . Smith Legacy Holdings , a successful real estate development firm that is recognized as a leading bridge builder in Texas , he oversees real estate , construction , development , and investments . He also leads a team of talented individuals who oversee other ventures including authentication technology , a marketing firm , a nonprofit , and an entertainment platform .
The world-famous NFL Hall of Fame running back and serial entrepreneur was a guest speaker at the 2022 IT Sales and Marketing Boot Camp . Emmitt spoke with the audience and did a Q & A with Robin Robins about his football and entrepreneurial journey and everything he ’ s done to achieve success .
Read on to discover the principles Emmitt revealed , the secrets he attributes to his success , and what drives him as an entrepreneur and a human being .
1
Dare To Dream And Turn Those Dreams Into Goals .
When Emmitt was just 7 years old , he watched a
Dallas Cowboys football game with his father . That
day , he turned to his father and said , “ Pop , one day , I ’ m going to play professional football , and I ’ m going to play for the Dallas Cowboys .” He also dreamed of one day living in a home very different from where he grew up and building homes for people so they could have nice homes , too . Those early visions were the catalysts that fueled his dreams . But Emmitt stressed , “ A dream is only a dream until you write it down . Then it ’ s a goal . Goal setting is important because it helps you map out your life .”
2
Don ’ t Let Fear Cripple You .
As entrepreneurs , we all experience fear , especially the first time something happens . Don ’ t let it paralyze you . Get back up IMMEDIATELY , be courageous , and meet your fear head-on . Emmitt recalled when he was 10 , during his first day of practice , playing up with kids who were two years older than him . The kids were bigger , faster , and stronger and hit a lot harder . During his first drill , he was hit so hard by a kid named Billy that he was in pain and afraid to continue . He said to his coach , “ No , Coach . I don ’ t want to do it again . I ’ m thinking about quitting .” But his coach wouldn ’ t allow him to sit in fear , telling him to do it again . By immediately getting back in the saddle , he was able to make a course correction , which allowed him to have a better experience the next time and avoid getting hit . “ I reluctantly got back in line and over there , Billy is smiling at me ,” Emmitt recalled . “ My lips started to quiver a little bit . Fear overcame me for the first time in my life . I ’ d never been hit that hard before . As young entrepreneurs , sometimes we step into things we ’ ve never experienced before , and if we don ’ t have that type of experience or know someone who has that experience , guess what ? We ’ re still on the sideline . We find ourselves at the back of the line trying to avoid Billy because he hits very hard instead of facing Billy and facing your fears . Don ’ t ever let fear paralyze you . The beautiful thing about getting back up and getting back in line right then and there , I didn ’ t have a whole lot of time to think about it , and so I was able to learn a valuable lesson — to avoid all contact .”
3
Adapt And Change .
During his career , he had to overcome adversity and learn to adapt . As a kid , everything he saw on television was about the quarterback , so he wanted to be a quarterback , but his coaches thought differently . “ I went out
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