“People ask what gives me the authority to give advice? I say, First of all, I don’t give advice. Dr Phil gives advice. Mr T helps people. I motivate them, I inspire them, I give them hope, and I plant the seed so they can feel good about themselves” — Mr. T

If you grew up in the 80’s or 90’s, then you know the name Mr. T. He was former United States Army veteran and Military Policeman who turned into a bouncer and bodyguard for the rich and famous. He later became a famous television personality while starring the 80’s sitcom “The A-Team.”

He also was a public motivator and made a motivational video to help kids such as dealing with peer pressure, money management, appreciating who they are, respecting others – especially their parents -and how to deal with anger.

I am still inspired by the words and actions of Mr. T to this day because he always made me feel good about myself and that just being me more was more than good enough.

I will share with you some of the things he taught me that I have carried with me into adulthood.

First, an introduction of the man named Mr. T.

THE MAN BEHIND THE T

“First name: Mister; middle name: period; last name T.”  – Mr. T on an episode of the NBC series Silver Spoons (1982-1986)

What is in a name?

“People ask me what the “T” stands for in my name. If you’re a man, the “T” stands for tough. If you’re a woman or child, it stands for tender!” – Mr. T

Mr. T grew up in Chicago. He said growing up as a young man he saw that his father and other African Americans did not get a lot of respect in their communities.

Therefore, he decided to coin himself Mr. T. He said that was because the first thing you say is Mister and that word is an automatic sign of respect.

The letter T is simply the first letter of his last name.

“When I was old enough to change my name, I changed it to Mr. T so that the first word out of someone’s mouth was ‘Mister,’ a sign of respect.” — Mr. T

At the age of 18, he decided as a man he deserved to be respected as one and; therefore, self-ordained himself Mr. T from that day forward.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

“I’m so tough and so bad; I can be humble and lift another guy up.” – Mr. T

“I tell people that I was born and raised in the ghetto, but the ghetto was not born and raised in me.” – Mr. T

“As a kid, I got three meals a day. Oatmeal, miss-a-meal and no meal.” – Mr. T

Long before he became known for his distinctive African Mandinka warrior hairstyle (Mohawk), his gold jewelry, his no none sense persona and his tough-guy image, Mr. T was just a young man trying to find his way.

Lawrence Tureaud “aka Mr. T” was born in Chicago, Illinois the youngest of twelve in one of the city’s housing projects with the highest poverty rate in America.

He was surrounded by gangs, violence, and the absolute worst that poverty has to offer, but he chose a different path for himself.

In poverty, neglect can be your ally because if no one is paying attention to you, then they cannot try to stop you from being great.

I have learned that it is not what you have, but what you do with what you’ve got that matters.

EDUCATION AND WORK, HARD WORK

“Get to reading, stay in school. You don’t have to carry a gun.”  – Mr. T

In high school, Mr. T played football, wrestled, and studied martial arts.

He was a wrestling champion that was so good he won a football scholarship to Prairie View A&M University, where he majored in mathematics.

However, he did not finish college. He made his next move by enlisting in the United States Army and served in the military police.

Then he went to work…hard.

Mr. T outworked everyone in his troop. He would go on to get a letter of recommendation from his drill sergeant and was elected “Top Trainee of the Cycle” out of a cycle of six thousand troops.

I read a statistic that 70% of prison inmates are high school dropouts.

Therefore, if you want to be the best and earn the respect of your peers and others that means putting in the work and improving your skills. Stay in school, off the streets and off the drugs.

There are 24 hours in a day. If you spend eight sleeping, four going to school, four reading and exercising, and eight working, then there is no time left for sitting on your laurels and being idle.

FROM BOUNCER TO ACTOR

“The reason why I wear gold – I wear gold for three reasons. One, when Jesus was born, three wise men came from the east: one brought frankincense, one brought myrrh, the other one brought gold. The second reason I wear gold is I can afford it. The third reason I wear it, it’s symbolic of my African heritage.” – Mr. T

After his military discharge, he became a bouncer.

“To be a bodyguard is to be a kamikaze pilot. Dedicated.” — Mr. T

It was during this time that he created his Mr. T persona and started wearing gold jewelry.

He parlayed his job of bouncer into a decade long career as a bodyguard.

His reputation became so well-known and highly regarded that he became a bodyguard to the stars and protected celebrities such as Steve McQueen, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross.

“I used to bodyguard for Muhammad Ali, Leon Spinks, Sugar Ray Leonard. I used to bodyguard a lot of diamond merchants; I would travel with a suitcase full of diamonds and take them from point A to point B. My reputation grew because I was a professional. I did my job, and I was courteous – a no-nonsense guy.” – Mr. T

With the name came the pay.

He was able to charge anywhere from a $3,000 to $10,000 a day rate.

One day he decided to try out for NBC-TV under the contest of “America’s Toughest Bouncer” and he won.

It was during this time that Sylvester Stallone saw him on the show and this led to him eventually being cast in Rocky III as Clubber Lang and this is where his catchphrase “I pity the fool!” comes from.

This then led him to be cast in the television series The A Team, where he played Sergeant Bosco “B. A.” Baracus, an ex-Army commando.

And from there his career took off and things just exploded.

PROFESSIONAL ACTING ROLES AND OTHER WORK

“Everything started as a dream. You gotta have insight, know what you want. You gotta have a plan. Like I tell anybody, if you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail. I’ve been planning ever since I was a youngster. You’ve got to start from somewhere. There’s nothing wrong or demeaning in flipping burgers. It’s more proud than selling drugs.” – Mr. T

Mr. T would go on and star or guest start in a number of notable television shows of the 1980’s such as Silver Spoons, Diff’rent Strokes, and Alvin and the Chipmunks.

The season one episode four of Silver Spoons called Me and Mr. T aired on October 16, 1982. Edward hires Mr. T. to teach Ricky how to defend himself. Hilarity ensues.

He even got an animated cartoon series called Mister T.  The Mister T cartoon starred Mr. T as himself, the owner of a gym. The gymnasts that trained there were helped by him not only with their training, but to solve mysteries and fight crime.

In my life I have scrubbed toilets, served food, been an operator, waitress, and worn holes in my clothes and shoes.

I have never been too good for anything. And neither should you.

I am no better than anyone else, but I am always just as good.

HAVE A MEANING AND A PURPOSE

“Left ear, I wear four earrings. The four is symbolic of the four seasons, spring, winter, summer and fall, the four directions, north, east, south and west, the four gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.” – Mr. T

Figure out what you want to do and why.

You cannot just randomly do things without a plan or purpose. Don’t just drift.

Life does not work that way.

Once you know what you like turn that into a career.

Whatever you are good at try to gravitate toward that.

Whatever you spend most of you efforts on, then that is what you should be doing.

You may be passionate about cooking, drawing, or sports, but that is not enough.

You have to still be able to produce.

Therefore, you must learn to harness what you are good at and turn that into how you earn a living.

MOTIVATOR

“As a Christian, you forgive, and you feed the hungry and clothe the naked, and you visit the sick and comfort the lonely. If I’m a true follower of my lord and saviour Jesus Christ, I got to do the things you’re supposed to be doing.” – Mr. T

“I try to use my experience and the fact that I grew up in the ghetto – I tell people you don’t have to rob or steal to get out of the ghetto.” – Mr. T

“If you can’t read, the only thing you can do is enjoy the pictures, not the whole story. Reading is the key to knowledge. Knowledge is the key to understanding. So read on, young man! Read on, young lady!” Mr. T

Mr. T would teach children and adults the value of an education, doing the right thing, weight training and watching your weight.

Building muscle gives confidence and takes hard work and discipline.

Discipline is a key ingredient to success.

BE A HELPER OF THE LESS FORTUNATE

“Stay humble and be concerned for the less fortunate.” – Mr. T

“Love is a verb… and Verbs show action” – Mr. T

“You’ll never have any trouble with Mr. T, I’m just a big, calm teddy bear kind of guy. Mr. T ain’t ashamed to cry. When I go out and I meet people who are suffering and they come and talk to me, Mr. T cries, Mr. T who could break a man’s jaw with his fist.” – Mr. T

I feel that helping others is the right thing to do.

I have seen the difference it can make in people’s lives.

Do good.

Goodness spreads, but not as fast as bad news or gossip so do good often.

Remember to be poor is not a crime.

Virtue can be seen in rags as well as fine silk.

SECOND CHANCES

“You pity the fool because you don’t want to beat up a fool! You know, pity is between sorry and mercy. See, if you pity him, you know, you won’t have to beat him up. So that’s why I say fools, you gotta give another chance because they don’t know no better. That’s why I pity them!” – Mr. T

I know it’s hard, but there are times to give people a second look or chance.

First impressions are important, but not the only thing.

I gravitate toward people who are hungry and hard working with good attitudes.

No one bats a thousand every time.

However, people need to show you with their actions that they are able and willing to work.

Just tell the truth. People are usually willing to help you when you’re doing the right thing.

RESPECT

“I’m a mama’s boy because everything I do is with respect to my mother. I won’t do a movie or a video that would bring disrespect to my mother.” — Mr. T

“Any man who doesn’t love his mama can’t be no friend of mine.” — Mr. T

“If every man loves his mother, he’s going to treat the ladies right, with love and respect.” –  Mr. T

My mother told me growing up that you attract what’s in your heart.

Respect people and that’s what you get back.

Keep your heart pure and full of love and hope.

Hope can start revolutions and change lives.

Inside I feel joyful.

I try to spread goodwill and cheer everywhere I go.

I’m generally laughing and smiling because no one likes to be around a drag unless it’s immediately followed by the word queen.

DRIVE AND DETERMINATION

“I knew I wasn’t going to be a rocket scientist – let’s not be fools – but I wasn’t going to be a bum.”  Mr. T

“If you get knocked down – setbacks in life, like applying for a job if they don’t hire you – keep trying, keep getting up, keep doing it” Mr. T

You may not know everything, but you know something.

Be resourceful.

Leverage what you know and what you have to make a way for yourself in this world.

You have to play the hand you were dealt. And play it so well that people cannot take their eyes off of you.

The more drive, determination, and perseverance you have, the more likely good things are to come.

Remember that if 100 doors close in your face, you only need one to be open to walk through.

One opportunity can change your life.

So do not slow down, speed up your efforts with hard work and sacrifice.

DEALING WITH ANGER

“When I was growing up, my family was so poor we couldn’t afford to pay attention.” — Mr. T

“If people are cool, then they are not stressed. I pity the fool that don’t be cool.” –  Mr. T

“The most violent show on TV is the six o’clock news.” –  Mr. T

I have learned if you can control your emotions, you can control your life.

You must learn good coping skills if you want to make it in this life.

Everything is not going to be easy or handed to you.

My father told me growing up that you have to learn to accept no just as well as you accept yes.

There is no place for violence in your home or community.

You can use your mind creatively to solve problems.

You do not fight to hurt others. You fight to stop them from hurting you.

You should only fight when there is no other choice and all other avenues have been explored and options exhausted.

You fight to defend yourself, your family, and your community. That’s about it.

PEER PRESSURE

“I wanted to win to feed the hungry people of my community. I didn’t want to win to buy a diamond.. I didn’t have no diamonds then. I didn’t want to win to buy a car, I didn’t want to win to bring a couple of chicks downtown to a hotel. I wanted to win to feed the poor people of the community.”– Mr. T

I know about peer pressure and all that, but I say, “Hey, they called me a sissy because I wouldn’t join a gang. Who was calling me a sissy? Does it make me a sissy because somebody called me a sissy?” […] I’m going to fight if you touch me or hurt me or do harm to my family. But if you call me a bad name, or whatnot, I’m too smart for that. That’s the message the kids need to hear coming from me. I tell them, “If I fought every time somebody called me a name, I would never get out of jail. But I’m disciplined. I’m smarter than that.” So I tell them, like my mother said, “Consider the source.” When you see who called you the name, then you understand why they’re doing it. Then you don’t have to stoop that low. – Mr. T

You do not need to impress anyone.

No one should call the shots in your life except you.

You should not respond negatively to fear, guilt, shame, or tears.

You figure out a way to deal with your problems. Period.

Where there is a will, there is a way.

APPRECIATE WHO YOU ARE

“I’m not a star. I don’t feel I’m so great. So how can I make you feel great just because you’ve got my signature on a piece of paper?” – Mr. T

“My celebrity status allows me an opportunity, allows me a pulpit to preach and reach out to the people. Not even always preaching but just leading, motivating them by being a leader.” – Mr. T

I have always made sure to be clean in body, home, and clothing.

You may not be able to afford fine wine, clothes, and jewelry, but if you have a will to work you are already worth your weight in gold.

Do not let anybody talk down to you or tell you that you are not good enough because you are.

You have to believe in yourself.

I believe in you.

And if you are reading this, then I know you do too.

BE POSITIVE

“Whatever role I play is a positive role; it’s a strong role. Never negative.” – Mr. T

Positivity attracts things.

It attracts people, money, and things.

Therefore, if those are the things you want, then be positive.

SMILE

“We were poor, but we smiled.”  – Mr. T

You may not have much, but you have something so be grateful.

Those who can keep a smile on their face and joy in their heart are never sad or bitter.

They love their enemies and pray for those who spite them.

They say it takes more muscles to frown than to smile.

Do not waste energy frowning.

You need every muscle to be able to work and earn a living and help others.

So keep smiling.

BE HUNGRY

“This guy Clubber Lang, I’ve been him all my life. He’s mean and hungry just like me.” – Mr. T

If you want something bad enough, you will find a way. Legally, morally, and ethically to get it.

I’m hungry. And I’m thirsty.

Knowledge feeds me, but it doesn’t quench my thirst. Therefore, I strive to find ways to help people.

They say reading feeds the soul. So, I read every day and help others increase their knowledge so they can be fed too because no one likes to eat alone.

CONFIDENCE

“I have the Midas touch, in the way that when I hook up with a project, I feel, not speaking cocky or conceited, but there’s a confidence I have. I learned that from Muhammad Ali; I used to bodyguard him. He taught me about confidence. So when it comes to any job I work, I’m gonna do it good; I’m going to bring it over the top.” –  Mr. T

“I didn’t come to Hollywood. Hollywood came to me. A lot of people wish they could say the things I say. Everyone out here is so phony, it’s sickening.” –  Mr. T

I have learned to hold your head up high, sit and stand up straight and look people in the eye.

Keep your standards high.

Give a firm handshake and stand your ground.

Even dogs can sense fear.

I have learned the two best ways of boosting confidence are getting a good education and hard work.

MINDFULNESS

“I take a lot of pride in the work I do, because people pay to see me. They’ve got to get babysitters, park their car, get popcorn and candy. I’ve got to be conscious of that.” – Mr. T

I learned that a job worth doing is worth doing well.

It can’t be all about me.

I have to be mindful of others and respect their time, energy, and efforts as if it were my own.

GOOD HYGIENE

“I’m pretty clean, hygienic and all that, but sometimes when I come home, I throw my coat over there, take one shoe off here, one shoe off there, but I’m not dirty.” –  Mr. T

I have learned a cluttered home can lead to a cluttered mind.

Everything should have its place.

Cleanliness is the closest you can get to perfection.

Take care of yourself from head to toe.

You are just a shower and a shave away from an opportunity. Never forget that.

MANNERS MATTER

“T stands for being nice. T stands for manners. T stands for being polite.” –  Mr. T

People like nice people.

Do not be a mean-spirited person.

Nice people tend to attract good things.

Money is also on that list.

Fortunes have been made just for being nice.

So do good.

“When you give, it comes back to you.” – Mr. T

“I tell everybody, I get so much because I give so much. I give freely, I give all my time, give all my money, give all of my soul. I try to motivate people. I try to inspire them.” – Mr. T

Case in point, Mr. T was at one time commanding an estimated $80,000 a week for his role on the A-Team and $15,000 for appearances. He even got to meet the president. All this from being nice.

There’s some food for thought. Just something to chew on.

BE BOLD

“I don’t worry. I don’t doubt. I’m daring. I’m a rebel.” –  Mr. T

“Anger – use it, but don’t lose it!” — Mr. T

“I’m a free spirit” – Mr. T

My parents used to call me a rebel.

I was okay with that because fortunes usually favor the bold.

I think of myself as a free spirit.

I’m a free range pony. I can’t be held down. I’m too busy lifting people up.

What I am upset and bothered about is that there are so many people that do not know about finances.

However, I use my anger to creatively think of solutions.

I guess some could say I am a Rebel without a cause, but guess what? I have a cause.

My cause is to give a voice to those without one, to help the sick, poor, and elderly and promote positivity and change for the betterment of mankind, but that’s just me.

DON’T QUIT

“You’re going through college, and you’re going to be faced with a lot of things. You’re going to face adversity, the main thing is don’t quit. For many people it’s easy to quit, but don’t. That’s what separates the winners from the losers, what separates the all-stars from the also-rans.” — Mr. T

“I want to represent… to the kids to draw strength from me. So they can see that everybody goes through something, but you can rise up and do your best. Just try.” – Mr. T

“Really, you don’t lose until you stop trying.” –  Mr. T

“I pity the fool who just gives up.” –  Mr. T

In life, things are going to happen.

You get up, dust yourself off and keep going.

No one is going to coddle you in the real world.

You can’t win unless you play the game through to the end.

Be a winner not a quitter.

Don’t complain. Do something.

DO NOT GO DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT

“We all gonna die eventually from something or other, but don’t be a wimp. Put up a good fight.”Mr. T

Whatever it is your going through know that you are not alone.

There are many others that may have problems that are bigger than yours.

If you’re going to go down, you might as well go down fighting.

If I have to fight, I’m going down kicking and screaming.

I can’t just give up. It ain’t in me.

And don’t let anything get you down. Get up.

SET A GOAL

“All I ever wanted to do with my life was own a little house. I did that way back with ‘Rocky,’ so now everything I do is just icing on the cake.” – Mr. T

You just have to have a goal and write it down.

Memorize it and visualize it. Work hard for it.

Sometimes dreams do come true. If you are willing to just try.

KNOW YOUR VALUES AND NOT JUST THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING

“Calvin Klein and Gloria Vanderbilt don’t wear clothes with your name on it, so why should you wear their name?” — Mr. T

“I don’t mean to be cocky, but if I’m never on TV again, if I never make another dollar, I am proud. I did what I wanted to do.” –  Mr. T

“You might not have the things you want, but if you check carefully, you got all you need.” – Mr. T

Who cares if you can’t afford a fancy car, home, or clothes?

Just get out there and work.

Put in the time. Put your head down and work.

The only people that get anything are the ones that show up.

I don’t care much for labels. I only care about quality.

I wanted to know how long I could walk in a pair of shoes until holes started to show up.

I’m not putting those fancy designers’ kids through private school or paying for their summer home.

If you want my hard earned money, then you better have a quality product.

I value and respect money and time too much to just throw it away.

INVESTING

“Where’s the meat? This sandwich is full of weeds! I ain’t eatin’ nothing I don’t understand!” – Mr. T

Same rules apply with money.

You should not put your money, time, energy, effort, or invest in anything you do not understand.

Do your research.

Your body is also your temple. Stay away from drugs. You do not know what is in them.

My father told me growing up that drugs only lead to two things: death and destruction.

Put your hard earned money to work for you and you will one day not have to work so hard for it.

I have a dollar and a dream to make myself some cream. How am I going to do it? By investing.

I prefer low cost index funds. If you are unsure which ones, then go for the ones with the lowest fees.

MONEY

“I made a little money. And like the Bible says, I was enjoying the fruits of my labor. This is my comeback. This is me doing what I love to do.” – Mr. T

“I believe in the Golden Rule – The Man with the Gold… Rules.” –  Mr. T

“We didn’t starve. We spent wisely. Like I tell people in the ghetto, “If you can buy guns and bullets, why can’t you buy food? You can buy heroin and crack cocaine, so why can’t you buy bread and butter and milk? Why can’t you pay your rent?” There’s a lot of people in the ghetto who go out and get a fancy car and all that. The car costs more than their house. Meanwhile, your kids need shoes. That’s not cool.” – Mr. T

I know money is important.

What I also want you to know is that it does not come before people.

What you have is not more important than who you are and if there are people around you that cannot see that, then get away from them.

People will try to talk you out of things, but if it is your dream then don’t let them.

If you have a dream, then don’t let anyone take it away.

Put your money where your values are.

Your credit card and bank statements will show where they are.

If you don’t like them, then change  them.

You cut your expenses to the bone if that is what it takes to put food on the table and a roof over your head.

Forget a nice set of wheels if it means you cannot take care of your families and responsibilities.

I have heard of dealerships offering a seven year car payment! Forget that. That is longer than college!

Check out my posts on cars (the biggest money suckers on the planet)

Who or what motivates and inspires you? Please comment and share here.

I want you to focus on earning.

Once you earn, then you can save and invest.

Stay away from debt and credit cards.

Credit card debt is for the impatient.

Wealth and abundance come to those that are patient. See my post

What are you willing to sacrifice to achieve your goal of financial freedom and independence?