What You'll Learn

(5-Hr Audio Book + More) Taking audiences on a street-smart journey & paradigm shift in global education, Cliff Michaels shares trials & triumphs as a dyslexic student who dropped out of USC at 19. He soon launched successful companies in real estate & finance, then lost it all as Co-Founder of a pioneering tech firm during the DotCom Crash of 2000. Spotlighting mentors from Socrates & Spielberg to Artists & Entrepreneurs, Cliff shares how he bounced back from personal & professional loss, discovering his greater purpose & smarter roads to success & happiness through 4 Essentials (mindset, strategies, values, purpose). Challenge exercises & speaker highlights in this e-course provide a blueprint to Cliff's Real-World MBA (Masters in Basic Abilities).

"Cliff's writing is creative and inspirational. I highly recommended "The 4 Essentials." Blake Mycoskie • Founder, TOMS Shoes

"Cliff Michaels delivers a powerful path to profits, passion, and purpose." Tony Hsieh • CEO, Zappos

"Cliff's '4 Essentials' change the way we teach & learn success principles. The response from 100s of students at USC's top entrepreneur class was amazing. Fight on!" Blake Spencer • Class Pres., USC Business School

"When Cliff spoke at our class, the students ranked him our #1 speaker. "The 4 Essentials" is now a part of my curriculum, sharing the entrepreneurial spirit." Alice Heiman • Entrepreneur Prof, Univ. of Nevada

  • "MY LESSONS FROM THE EDGE" is Cliff's mini-memoir & misfit's journey through life, school & entrepreneurship. A fun, fast-paced, one-of-a-kind learning experience!

  • 1) ESSENTIAL 1: Discover why MINDSET is the catalyst to growth, and a critical bridge to creativity, wealth, happiness, and overcoming challenges.

  • 2) ESSENTIAL 2: Discover why STRATEGIES such as goals, focus, and people skills are critical to result-driven people, teams, leaders & organizations.

  • 3) ESSENTIAL 3: Discover why VALUES such as integrity, humility, gratitude, and sportsmanship are keys to thriving careers, communities, and relationships.

  • 4) ESSENTIAL 4: Discover why PURPOSE principles such as passion, friends, family, health, and making a difference are driving forces to personal & professional growth.

  • BONUS CONTENT: Tools, Challenge Exercises, Live Book Tour Highlights, Cliff's Movie Picks + Optional Quiz & Completion Certificate.

  • CLIFF'S RECORDING SECRET: Like all of Cliff's e-courses, The 4 Essentials book was narrated by Cliff in his home studio, then edited with sound effects to make the listening experience more fun. ENJOY THE JOURNEY!

  • FUN FACT: The 4 Essentials was originally subtitled "of Entrepreneurial Thinking: What Successful People Didn't Learn in School." When fans sent letters sharing their "misfit journeys", Cliff updated the sub-title to reflect the book's broader themes. A number of teachers in many fields have added The 4 Essentials to their high school & college curriculums.

Essential Highlights

  • Fun & Inspirational Quotes Galore!

  • The Power of "Thank-You" Notes

  • Creative Thinking & Result-Driven Practice

  • Self Discovery & Intelligence Styles

  • Embracing Chaos, Decisions & Change

  • Resolving Personal & Team Roadblocks

  • Defining Success & The Happiness Mindset

  • S.M.A.R.T. Goals, Focus & Time Management

  • 10 Motivational Drivers & Leadership Lessons

  • Connecting Mindset & Strategies to Values & Purpose

Course Lessons

    1. BOOK & COURSE OVERVIEW: The 4 Essentials: A Misfit's Journey to Mindset, Strategies, Values & Purpose

    2. Pre-Course Survey (your feedback helps)

    1. Cliff's Backstory of The 4 Essentials • Filmed Live at USC's #1 Entrepreneur Class • Host Professor Dave Belasco (2012)

    1. Introduction

    1. Chapter 1

    1. Chapter 2

    1. Chapter 3

Course Details

  • $29.95
  • 33 lessons

Meet Your Instructor

NY Times Bestseller • Coach • Consultant • Facilitator • Entrepreneur • VC • Real Estate & Mortgage Strategist

Cliff Michaels

BORN in NEW YORK and raised in L.A, Cliff lives in Del Mar, California. Known for his fun, down-to-earth style, Cliff brings a passionate, result-driven approach to every challenge.

FOUNDED in 1992, Cliff Michaels & Associates provides e-courses, consulting & resources for students, families, leaders, investors & entrepreneurs. A broker, writer & investor over 30 years, Cliff specializes in start-ups, venture capital, mortgages, real estate & global education.

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER, Cliff's first book (The 4 Essentials) hit #1 on Amazon and is part of his 1-Day MBA E-Course Series (Masterclasses in Basic Abilities). In 2016, Cliff's 1-Day-MBA Workshop was one of TEDxLA's highest-rated events.

PAST PRESIDENT of Young Entrepreneurs' Org L.A, Cliff developed YEO's first charity & mentor programs in 2003, benefitting Boys & Girls Club and Inclusion Matters Playgrounds. Philanthropy has been a personal mission ever since.

GIVING BACK > For 25 years, Cliff has been a supporter of the arts & youth learning programs. With each sale, FREE courses go to students in need. Cliff is also a member of USC’s Ed-Tech Incubator, building greater access to remote-learning for underserved communities.

SPONSOR EDUCATION! To GIFT Cliff's e-courses & workshops or to customize a live-training event, please visit our SPONSOR PAGE!

"What They Say ..."

Jayme Riggio

CEO, Riggio Allstate, Top 1% Nationwide

“Cliff has been my strategic coach, broker & business consultant since the ’90s. His insight, leadership, and negotiation skills are priceless.”

Jim Weldon

Founder/CEO, Trovo

“From broker & lender to boardroom advisor & extraordinary mentor to our kids, Cliff Michaels has been a trusted confidant over 25 years.”

Tony Hsieh

CEO, Zappos, NYT Bestseller “Delivering Happiness”

“Cliff Michaels delivers a powerful path to profits, passion, and purpose.”

Blake Mycoskie

Founder/CEO, TOMS Shoes, NYT Bestseller “Start Something That Matters”

“Cliff’s writing is full of inspiration & practical lessons. I highly recommend his book — The 4 Essentials.”

Blake Spencer

Class President, Marshall School of Business

“When Cliff presented The 4 Essentials to 300 students at USC’s #1 Entrepreneur Class, the response was amazing. We’re all big fans!”

Barbara Lipkin

Top 1% Estate Agent, Sotheby’s Int’l Realty

“I’ve co-brokered deals with Cliff for over 30 years. He’s an asset to buyers, sellers, and brokers on all sides of the table.”

Mary Mazzio

Award-Winning Filmmaker, Attorney, Social Documentarian

“Cliff is the consummate strategist & entrepreneur. His life lessons are riveting & I’m proud to call him a friend.”

Peter Thomas

Chairman Emeritus, Young Entrepreneurs’ Org (YEO)

“A visionary leader & pioneering entrepreneur, Cliff sets a winning bar for life & business training.”

The 1-Day MBA Series

Masterclasses in Basic Abilities

Created & Instructed by Cliff Michaels

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