TOP 10 Traits of Silicon Valley Dynamos

All of the Silicon Valley dynamos who you will meet in this book look at life with a positive frame of mind; they are full of faith, hope and dreams. No doubt about it: Successful people are dreamers, shakers and movers. While others talk about their aspirations, achievers actualize theirs. They don’t wait for the right time, right weather or approval from others—they jump in and take charge. And, they definitely have a lot of fun along the way as they explore, discover, plan and act on their visions.

You will notice the 10 traits listed below appearing repeatedly in the stories that follow.

1. Believe in Yourself.

Be positive. Be bold. The role models in this book are assertive and confident in their decisions and activities—they believe they can do what they aim to do. And they know that the only limits that really count are the ones people place upon themselves. Looking for the good in other people, dynamos approach life with enthusiasm.

2. Educate Yourself.

Knowledge is power—increased knowledge strengthens self-esteem. The dynamic people presented here practice honing their skills every day; learning is a lifelong habit they enjoy. They operate like Olympians who practice their skills daily for success—they read, attend seminars, take higher-learning classes, find mentors, and learn everything they can on the job. To get what they want, they’re willing to go the extra mile in search of answers. With childlike ingenuousness, they’re willing to ask questions of knowledgeable people who have the answers they need to reach success. Their self-knowledge and learning have given them skills enabling them to become an accomplished artist, magician, animator, Internet expert, seminar leader, Web designer, Financial Leader, television news photographer, engineer, systems integration expert, and computer operating systems technical expert. And, besides all that, their collective repertoire includes building airplanes, starting a business, buying and learning a new business, writing and publishing a book, and creating a nonprofit organization. Most of these skills were self-taught (with the exception of those that required a higher-learning degree, such as becoming an engineer, teacher, etc).

3. Work with Winners.

Super achievers know enough to ask for help and advice. No one succeeds alone. When making an uncomfortable change is necessary, they garner support. Marc Isaac Potter “got stuck” writing a manual and asked a friend to help. Cesar Plata’s whole concept of developing a virtual and real network of Latino professionals was based on the concept that connecting with each other is important for success. Gail Turner had thirty friends help her build her second airplane; they came because her dream and her enthusiasm inspired them, and most important, she asked.

4. Take Risks.

Dynamos push through their fear. They persevere and see failure in perspective, rather than experiencing an obstacle as the ending. They try other routes until they find one that works. Seeing risks as challenges and opportunities, they push through fear by taking more risks. Michael James quit a comfortable job to learn a new career—even when he lost all his material possessions and had very little money, he never gave up. Loc Van Phan literally risked his life to escape Vietnam.

5. Exercise the Will to Change.

Motivators’ inner strength keeps them on course. "Will is like a muscle–it grows stronger when you exercise it regularly," said change expert, Dr. Sidney B. Simon.[i] Silicon Valley Dynamos produce enough will to stay with any course of action they choose. Debbie Murray went ahead with a typing test required for a better job although her fingers were in pain from a window slamming down on them the night before. Dave Latner left his comfortable environment to travel around the world although initially he was fearful about embarking on the journey. Dynamos are passionate about their dreams—and they approach their goals creatively, open-mindedly, embracing change, and frequently looking for new opportunities.

6. Cultivate Faith and Spirituality.

Many dynamic people find that their faith in God helps them navigate the steps necessary to reach their goals. Doug Jones initiated his company on a spiritual impulse. Michael James gave up his occupation and embarked on a new career living with the promise; “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Marc Isaac Potter meditates daily. And, Joan Clout-Kruse prays for guidance and direction in her daily life. Believing in a higher power keeps hope alive—for many, prayer and/or meditation are a daily practice that helps strengthen their faith and keep them on course.

7. Keep Hope Alive.

Visionaries always see alternatives to problems, light at the end of the tunnel. They look for options and ways to achieve their goals. Kilsoon Kim maintained hope that her children would be well educated—even after she lost her husband and her home. Don Kruse continues to believe that he will rekindle his dream of opening a digital photo printing store.

8. Visualize and Dream.

Dynamos clearly imagine reaching their goal. They see the end result in their mind’s eye and then turn their dreams into reality. They know what it takes to achieve their dreams, and they persevere until they reach their goal. Marc Isaac Potter dreamed about being a seminar leader and passionately pursued that goal. Gail Turner dreamed about building an airplane although she didn’t know how to do it; she envisioned and believed it would happen. In his business Mortgage Magic, Doug Jones practices visualization and goal setting with his staff during planning meetings.

9. Embrace Excellence.

Achievers compete with themselves and attain excellence by challenging themselves to do better. Most avoid those deadly energy drainers: procrastination and perfectionism. Successful people practice self-improvement each day. Even if what they do isn’t perfect, they remain flexible and keep on going. Carlos Figueroa challenges himself to try new things every day. And, at the same time, when he says yes, he keeps his promises. Chao Huang, Internet guru, has developed several Internet businesses and tests himself daily against his high standard of quality, stretching himself to stay informed of the rapid changes in this field.

10. Give Back to the Community.

Dynamos’ talent and energy overflow to help other people and the community. As mentors and role models, they donate their time to train and teach others. Sal Dossani, president of a travel agency, is working with a new form of communication training to help others succeed with their ambitions. Marc Isaac Potter volunteers his time to help children improve their self-esteem. Doug Jones contributes to the community by performing volunteer magic shows for children’s organizations as well as serving on the board of the Salvation Army. Cesar Plata, through the network he developed, has helped countless people find jobs, build their businesses and meet a myriad of other needs—most at no cost to the individuals using his services. Each person presented in this book has helped others and felt rewarded in the experience.

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[i] Getting Unstuck, Dr. Sidney Simon, Warner Books, 1988, p. 253.