Belfort was born in 1962 in the Bronx borough of New York City to a Jewish family. He was raisedin Bayside, Queens. Between completing high school and starting college, Belfort and his close (related to the time when a person is a child) friend Elliot Loewenstern earned $20, 000 sellingItalian ice from styrofoam coolers to people at a local beach. Belfort went on to graduate from American University with a degree in (study of living things/qualities of living things). Belfort planned on using the money earned with Loewenstern to pay for teeth-related school, and heenrolled at the University of Maryland School of (medical care for the teeth); however, he leftafter the dean of the school said to him on his first day at the college: “The golden age of medical care for the teeth is over. If you’re here simply because you’re looking to make a lot ofmoney, you’re in the wrong place”.

1. His way with words: It’s no secret that Belfort has been in trouble with the people in charge. However, his relationswith government and FBI (people in charge of something) provide a slightly funny funny story forhis way with words. Greg Coleman, the FBI special agent who made the case against Belfort referred to his speakingability as a “Svengali-like trance”. Dan Alonso, who handled Belfort’s case as a federal lawyer (who tries to prove someone guilty), invited him to the Manhattan district lawyer’s office because he was so impressed. At the office, where Alonso is now a top official, Belfort gave a speech to lawyers (who try to prove people guilty). According to Alonso, “He’s a salesman. He sold himself well”. Belfort’s efforts were praisedduring the (act of asking questions and trying to find the truth about something), which uponcompletion resulted in only a two years and four months of prison time. His parents have also praised his way with words. His father Max says “That time we found himgrowing pot in the closet. Very, very creative (with business). He said it was a school project, right?”, to which his mother Leah replies “He said, ‘I’m going to get an A. ‘ He was trying to buy meoff with the grade. I said to him, ‘I’ve been controlled/moved around/misled by better than you!’ Then Max came home, and you gave it to him. “Clearly he didn’t lose it.
2. His attitude towards money: “Making money is so easy. It really is. It’s not hard to do. ” Belfort has admitted that money was his largest reason for doing something. However, he hasalso admitted that money actually made him unhappier when he was using it in certain ways. Referring to the “leaks” we all have, Belfort claims there are healthy and unhealthy ways to plugthose leaks. To say that he learned this through trying things that sometimes did not work wouldbe a huge statement (that says that something is much less than it actually is), but the (point of view/way of behaving) he holds towards money today is one of experience. For example, one of Belfort’s 4 ways of thinking/basic truths/rules for success is having a vision. He says that this is very different to having a goal, because having a vision is much bigger. Takethis example: your goal could be to become richer, while your vision could be to help yourparents pay their bills. While setting goals is useful, having a vision is more important. Let’s apply this way of thinking/basic truth/rule. Ask yourself, why do you want to be rich? Is itbecause money will allow you to be rich or because money will open new avenues andpossibilities? Establish what this is. Create goals AND a vision for yourself. Find your edge, wherethe passion lies. Money is energy, but you’ll lose your energy as soon as you’ve got enough to be thought about/believed rich if it’s all you’re aiming for now. Start seeing money as the door opener foramazing new possibilities. Then you’ll have the attitude/set of opinions for the fun stuff withoutlosing your edge or purpose.
3. His use of deliberate practice: If you’ve read my book, you will know what I mean when I say ‘deliberate practice’. It’s the kind ofaware/careful practice – the use of corrective attention and (reactions or responses to something/helpful returned information) – that athletes use to show real improvement. It might surprise you to hear that Belfort is a brilliant (something that helps plants grow) of this. In his spare time, Belfort plays Tennis with Jeff Tarango. But Tarango isn’t just his personal coach, he was also rated one of the top 40 tennis players in the world. When asked about Belfort, Tarango had this to say: “(when you can’t stop thinking about something or someone)-(related to behaviors that a person cannot stop) talent. He just can gointo that tunnel. ” The kind of carefully planned practice that I discuss in my book is highly obvious in Belfort’s strength. He is so committed to improving his tennis strokes that although they play everymorning, he wanted to play on weekends too! But this practice doesn’t end when they leave thecourt. He records himself during sessions so that he can study his way of doing things in bed atnight. While some would say that this kind of strength is (very big/very strong), it’s this way of thinking/basic truth/rule of carefully planned practice – this life (way of thinking/related to learning about how people think) – that has made Belfort a successful (desire to do something/reason for doing something)al speaker. “I believe in total (placing underwater/surrounding someone with something). If you want to berich, you have to program your mind to be rich. You have to unlearn all the thoughts that weremaking you poor and replace them with new thoughts – rich thoughts. “
4. The way he leads and motivates others: Interestingly, Belfort didn’t hire seasoned stockbrokers, or people with any kind of experience forthat matter. He hired young (people who want to achieve something) and delivered not one, buttwo boardroom speeches to them every day. Now that’s how you give a reason to do something to people. Belfort has said that he always tells his trainees, who are often ex-drug people (who must gamble, use illegal drugs, etc. ), that their past is the past. He teaches that labelling yourself asuneducated or poor is just reinforcing these limiting beliefs. That’s all they are – beliefs – and theywill prevent you from moving forward. It’s this kind of leadership that has made Belfort one of the biggest success stories in desire to do something speaking. But you don’t have to be a speaker to do good in this way. We can all lift and (give a reason to do something) each other! “The only thing standing between you and your dream is the bullsh!t story you keep tellingyourself as to why you can’t accomplish it”.