Rise and Grind

1. Embrace the Relentless Rise and Grind

I call it rising and grinding. And I’m out to shine a light on it here.

Action over words. Success isn't found in dreaming big or making resolutions; it's forged in the daily, relentless pursuit of your goals. Daymond John defines "rising and grinding" as the drive, determination, oomph, grit, or hustle that propels individuals to outperform, outwork, and outhustle the competition. It's about consistent, hard work, day in and day out, making the most of every one of the 1,440 minutes we all get.

Early influences. Daymond's own work ethic was shaped by his mother, "Shark Momma John," who worked multiple jobs while still keeping a close eye on him. He also found inspiration in the "It's time to make the donuts" Dunkin' Donuts ad campaign, which instilled in him the simple truth that when something needs doing, you get out of bed and do it. This mindset became a rallying cry, emphasizing that hard work is hard work, and action is paramount.

Beyond clichés. While phrases like "the early bird catches the worm" are common, their true power lies in the action they inspire, not just the words themselves. Daymond's GRIND Points—Get on it, Repeat, Insist, Navigate, Desire/Drive/Determination—are a blueprint for consistent action. They emphasize starting, sticking to routines, demanding excellence, moving with purpose, and fueling efforts with unwavering desire.

2. Cultivate a "Think Big, Act Small" Mindset

The time will never be perfect, so you can only make perfect use of your time.

Think big, reach big. Daymond's mother hung a "THINK BIG" sign in their home, a constant reminder to aim high. However, thinking big must be coupled with actionable steps. The key is to break down massive aspirations into manageable, incremental changes that build momentum over time.

Manageable goals. Nely Galán, a successful television executive, exemplifies this by setting only three major goals each year and breaking them down into weekly, achievable steps. This approach prevents overwhelm and fosters a sense of accomplishment, making the journey feel less daunting.

• Nely's method: Three big goals per year.
• Weekly check-ins to assess progress.
• Focus on "small baby steps" to reach big objectives.

Maximize every moment. Daymond emphasizes that time will pass regardless, so it's crucial to use it productively. This means avoiding time-wasting activities like excessive binge-watching and instead dedicating hours to learning, working on side hustles, or advancing personal projects. The goal is to maximize every minute, ensuring that even downtime serves a purpose in your overall growth.

3. Turn Disadvantages into Driving Forces

Because to fix my dyslexia, to overcome it, I had to work twice as hard, and maybe that’s another way I found my grind.

Adversity as advantage. Many successful individuals, including Daymond, have transformed personal disadvantages into powerful motivators. Daymond's dyslexia, which made school challenging, forced him to develop an extraordinary work ethic, putting in double the effort just to keep up. This struggle inadvertently became a foundation for his relentless grind.

No excuses. Kyle Maynard, born without arms or legs, embodies the "no excuses" philosophy. His parents fostered a belief that he was not disabled, leading him to:

• Teach himself to type with his elbows.
• Excel in sports like football and wrestling.
• Climb Mount Kilimanjaro and Aconcagua.
  Kyle's drive stemmed from a deep desire to prove he wasn't helpless, turning his unique physical challenges into a source of immense strength and determination.

Resilience and perspective. Nely Galán's immigrant experience and early struggles with prejudice, including being accused of plagiarism in high school, taught her resilience. Her mother's empowering message—"two languages, three cultures, two countries is more"—helped Nely view her heritage as an advantage. These experiences instilled in her the courage to stand her ground and advocate for herself, shaping her into a force for good in the television industry.

4. Master Your Time and Routines

Every chunk of time is accounted for, even if it’s set aside as downtime. Every phone call, every meeting, every strategy session…it’s all programmed into their calendars in such a way that they can stay on top of whatever it is they’re doing, whatever it is they’re about to do.

Strategic time allocation. Successful people treat their time like a precious, finite resource, meticulously planning and accounting for every minute. Daymond, for instance, schedules interviews and non-essential tasks during travel to maximize office time. This disciplined approach ensures that even "downtime" is used productively, whether for reading, planning, or connecting with family.

Efficiency in action. Gary Vaynerchuk, a master of efficiency, "creates time" by multitasking relentlessly, such as flying cross-country for a single meeting while simultaneously reading, writing, and catching up on social media. He views food as "gasoline," eating on the go to avoid interruptions. This extreme focus on simultaneous action allows him to squeeze immense productivity out of each day.

Structured days. Kristina Guerrero, a former Air Force pilot and entrepreneur, manages her busy life by assigning specific tasks to certain days of the week. This compartmentalized approach helps her balance her TurboPUP business with parenting, ensuring that everything from order fulfillment to product development and personal workouts has its dedicated slot.

• Mondays: Order fulfillment, household catch-up.
• Tuesdays: Long-term planning, horse riding.
• Wednesdays: Fulfillment.
• Thursdays: New product development.
• Fridays: Stables, marketing/promotion.

5. Seek Inspiration and Mentorship Everywhere

We can all learn something from the people around us, from the people we admire.

Lifelong learning. Daymond emphasizes that learning is a continuous process, drawing inspiration from diverse sources. He rereads Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich regularly, internalizing its lessons on goal setting and visualization. This commitment to self-education, even with dyslexia, highlights the importance of actively seeking knowledge.

"You are your hang." Tony Robbins's philosophy that we mirror the behaviors of those around us deeply resonated with Daymond. He consciously surrounds himself with:

• Billionaires and Fortune 500 executives.
• Tech-savvy millennials.
• Small business owners with unwavering drive.
  This diverse network provides constant learning opportunities, allowing him to adopt positive routines and habits from others, while also inspiring them in return.

Diverse wisdom. Carlos Santana frames his days with five inspirational books, reading from them daily to gain clarity and courage. Brian Lee, despite his initial struggles, sought out mentors and learned from his law school friend, Brian Liu, leading to the creation of LegalZoom. These examples underscore that inspiration can come from books, peers, and even unexpected cold calls to industry leaders.

6. Confront Your Fears and Cultivate Gratitude

Perspective and gratitude, that’s what drives me. That’s what I’m about.

Dark motivation. Gary Vaynerchuk employs a unique, intense daily ritual: he forces himself to imagine the death of a loved one. This dark exercise, performed both morning and night, grounds him in profound gratitude for his family's health and provides perspective, making all other challenges seem small. It's his way of steeling himself for the uncontrollable and harnessing fear as a powerful motivator.

Joyful reflection. Carlos Santana begins each day with a deep breath, filling himself with thankfulness and gratitude. He believes that the more he gives thanks, the more he lives in abundance, promising himself a "victory over fear" daily. This conscious effort to connect with his dreams and spirituality, often through a simple touch with his wife, sets a harmonious tone for his day.

Prayer and purpose. Joel Osteen dedicates the first thirty minutes of his day to quiet prayer and reflection, searching his heart and motives. He focuses on expressing gratitude rather than asking for things, believing that a positive start dictates the day's trajectory. This practice helps him sustain the immense emotional energy required for his ministry, ensuring his work aligns with his deepest purpose.

7. Be Authentic and Passionate in Your Pursuit

When there is joy in your work, it’s not really work, is it?

Passion fuels the grind. Tyler, The Creator, exemplifies how pure passion can make relentless work feel effortless. From designing album covers at seven to building a music and fashion empire, his drive comes from an innate love for creation, not just financial gain. He rejects the notion of "failure," viewing setbacks as "lessons," and his intangible goals keep him perpetually hungry.

Genuine connection. Wendy Williams' success as a talk show host stems from her authenticity. She connects with her "Wendy Watchers" by remaining grounded, shopping for her own groceries, and engaging directly with her audience. Her commitment to being real, both on and off screen, fosters a deep loyalty that transcends typical celebrity.

Love what you do. Al Baker's barbecue business, which began by selling pork chop sandwiches to NFL teammates, was born out of a genuine love for cooking, not just profit. This passion made the demanding work enjoyable and sustainable. His daughter, Brittani, also found joy in pushing her father to perfect their boneless ribs, demonstrating that when you love what you do, the grind becomes a source of fulfillment.

8. Understand Your Market and Get Your Hands Dirty

Companies start to fail when the decision-makers at that company make decisions from ivory towers or thirty thousand feet in the air.

Go to the source. Daymond stresses the importance of direct market engagement. His club-hopping isn't just for fun; it's a strategic way to:

• Observe new trends in music, fashion, and social interaction.
• Network with potential customers and influencers.
• Gather real-time, street-level feedback that informs his business decisions.
  This hands-on approach prevents decision-makers from becoming disconnected from their target audience.

Shark Tank examples. Daymond's fellow Sharks also demonstrate this principle:

• Robert Herjavec: Networks with executives on the racing circuit for cybersecurity leads.
• Mark Cuban: Attends every Mavericks game, connecting with players and fans to understand the product he sells.
• Lori Greiner: Uses QVC analytics and visits retail outlets to study consumer behavior firsthand.
• Kevin O’Leary: Globetrots, engaging with international markets to inform his diverse investments.
  Each finds their "club" where their market lives and breathes, ensuring they stay informed and relevant.

Innovative marketing. Jake Kassan and Kramer LaPlante, founders of MVMT Watches, used "growth hacking" to understand and reach their market without a large budget. They leveraged platforms like Reddit, creating dummy accounts to "upvote" their watches and generate thousands of clicks. This creative, low-cost approach allowed them to gain traction by directly engaging with their target demographic online.

9. Build a Strong Team and Learn to Delegate

You’re only as good as your team, right? It’s incredibly important to have that second layer of management below you, so the executives can really execute.

Leverage superpowers. Michael Parrella, founder of iLoveKickboxing, learned the hard way that trying to do everything yourself leads to burnout and failure. After his first business collapsed, he realized the importance of building a "superhero team," finding individuals with complementary skills to cover his weaknesses. This approach allows him to focus on his strengths while delegating other tasks to experts.

Strategic delegation. Joel Osteen, leading a massive church, operates as a "hands-off leader," empowering his staff to manage day-to-day operations. This allows him to focus his energy on his core mission: writing and delivering his weekly sermons. He trusts his team to handle their areas of expertise, recognizing that their success contributes to the overall mission.

Family as a team. Al and Brittani Baker's boneless ribs business is a testament to effective teamwork. Brittani pushed her father to perfect the product and navigate the Shark Tank process, while Al focused on the culinary aspects. They carved out areas of strength and relied on each other, demonstrating that even within a family business, clear roles and mutual support are crucial for success.

10. Prioritize Self-Care and Strategic Renewal

Idleness is not just a vacation, an indulgence or a voice; it is as indispensable to the brain as vitamin D is to the body….

The cost of constant grind. Chris Sacca, a highly successful venture capitalist, candidly shared his decision to step back from his firm, acknowledging that his relentless grind had nearly "ground him down." His experience highlights that while obsessive focus can lead to success, it's unsustainable without intentional periods of rest and renewal. The "Innovation Time Out" policy at Google, allowing employees 20% of their time for outside projects, further supports this, leading to breakthroughs like Gmail.

Finding your "flow." Daymond emphasizes the importance of finding activities that induce a state of "flow"—moments where you're so intensely engaged that time seems to disappear. This could be playing a musical instrument, painting, or simply taking a walk. These activities:

• Nourish the brain and increase vitality.
• Improve coping skills and self-esteem.
• Boost overall happiness and performance.
  Consciously seeking these moments helps recharge mental and emotional batteries, preventing burnout.

Intentional downtime. Even Daymond, a self-proclaimed grinder, now seeks "pockets of calm" throughout his day for power naps, quiet walks, or meditation. Carlos Santana's morning reflections, Catherine Zeta-Jones's candle-lighting ritual, and Tyler, The Creator's tree-climbing are all examples of intentional practices to find stillness and reconnect with oneself. This strategic renewal is crucial for sustaining energy, creativity, and long-term productivity.

11. Embrace the Journey, Not Just the Destination

We have not arrived. We’re on the journey. Every single day, we remind ourselves of this.

Continuous evolution. Success is not a fixed destination but an ongoing journey of growth and adaptation. Daymond's own brand and grind have evolved from a scrappy kid hustling odd jobs to a fashion mogul and "People's Shark." He constantly reinvents his approach, recognizing that what worked yesterday may not work tomorrow. This mindset prevents complacency and fosters continuous learning.

The long game. Al and Brittani Baker, despite their Shark Tank success and national product launches, maintain that they "have not arrived." They view their work as a continuous journey, emphasizing the need to outwork the competition daily. This perspective ensures that even after achieving significant milestones, the drive to innovate and improve remains strong.

Unattainable goals. Grant Cardone sets "massive, unachievable targets" like a $10 billion real estate portfolio or reaching 70 million people. While seemingly impossible, these goals serve as powerful motivators, pushing him to constantly expand his reach and impact. He believes that the pursuit of such grand visions keeps him excited and focused on potential, rather than just money, ensuring his grind never loses its purpose.

Last updated: January 17, 2026