Here's How Sara Blakely Stayed Motivated and Followed Her Dream!

Motivation is like a muscle. If you don’t work out, you don’t get stronger, and the same goes for the self-strength that gets us through times of doubt. I used inspirational CDs and read positive books about people persevering.

I had a flash where I saw myself on Oprah, sitting onstage and talking. For some people, the success they visualise might be a trip—they’re in Spain—or it might be a car, or sitting at a table of leaders. I believe when you visualise what you want, subconsciously you start making decisions that get you to your goal.

The most important thing I do is get quiet with myself. I get in the car and drive around for an extra 30 to 40 minutes in the morning. Great ideas come to me when it’s quiet, and I get clarity on things that I’m trying to figure out.

I was about to give up on Spanx. For a year, I went door-to-door to hosiery mills, and all I heard was ‘no’. I said to myself, I’m going to let it go and ask for a sign. I gave myself a complete mental break. I just lived my life, selling fax machines door-to-door. A couple of months later, I flipped on the end of Oprah, and she showed the world that she had cut the feet out of her panty hose so she could wear pants. The minute I got the sign, I was full steam ahead.

I have a lot of fears and self-doubts, like anybody. If I’m about to give a speech and I’m nervous—which happens even after speaking in public for 16 years—I go to a grateful place. It calms me and gives me courage.

So much has come my way, good and bad, that when the bad happens, my first instinct is to ask, ‘Where is the hidden gift?’. Recently, I broke my leg. I’ve been thinking, ‘Thanks, Universe! What am I supposed to get from this?’ I’ve gathered two things. First, I’m supposed to slow down a little bit. And second, I have to invent a more comfortable crutch!

Sara's six rules

• TUNE OUT THE NOISE
• WHEN YOU'RE SCARED, BE THANKFUL
• PRACTICE BELIEF
• ALWAYS FIND THE UPSIDE
• WHEN YOU'RE STUCK, TAKE A BREAK
• VISUALISE WHAT YOU WANT