Due Diligence

“Success is not in what you have, but who you are.” – Bo Bennett, American entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker

Bo Bennett (born February 16, 1972) is known for his work in entrepreneurship, personal development, and motivational writing. He is the founder of eBookIt.com, a platform for self-publishing, and has authored several books on success, positive psychology, and business.

This specific quote reflects Bennett’s core belief that true success is not measured by material possessions but by personal growth, character, and the impact you have on others. It aligns with the broader personal development and success philosophy, which emphasizes inner fulfillment, values, and personal excellence over external wealth and status.

Key Ideas Behind the Quote:

• Character Over Possessions:

  • Bennett emphasizes that lasting success is not about accumulating wealth or material things, but about becoming a person of integrity, wisdom, and positive influence.
  • Who you become in the process of achieving your goals is more valuable than the rewards themselves.

• Internal Success vs. External Success:

  • External achievements can be temporary, but developing qualities like resilience, honesty, kindness, and self-discipline leads to lasting fulfillment.
  • This view is echoed by other thought leaders like Stephen Covey (author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People), who stressed character-based success over personality-based success.

• Personal Development:

  • Bennett is a strong advocate for continuous self-improvement. He believes that success is a by-product of becoming the best version of yourself.

Notable Works

• “Year to Success” (2004) – A book that offers a step-by-step approach to achieving personal and professional success over the course of a year. The quote reflects the book’s overarching message about personal growth as the foundation of success.
• “Logically Fallacious” (2012) – A guide to logical fallacies, reflecting Bennett’s interest in critical thinking and rational decision-making.

Real-Life Application

Bennett’s life embodies this principle. He built his success from the ground up, launching a multi-million-dollar software company (Archway Software) in his early 20s. However, he frequently emphasizes that his personal growth and development were more important than the financial gains.

Takeaway

The quote encourages shifting the focus from external achievements to internal growth. True success is about the person you become—your values, character, and the legacy you leave behind.