It's a Good Life — Quick Cut: S2E347 "What I Learned From Og Mandino"
Host: Brian Buffini
Date: November 13, 2025

Episode Overview

In this inspiring quick-cut episode, Brian Buffini reflects on the profound lessons he learned from the legendary motivational author Og Mandino. Drawing on Mandino’s core philosophies and personal experiences, Buffini distills a lifetime of wisdom into actionable takeaways for personal and business growth. The episode centers around character, resilience, and the unchanging principles of success—offering practical guidance for entrepreneurs and anyone seeking to live "a good life."

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Character Over Technique

• Character Endures: Buffini emphasizes that lasting success comes from strong character rather than fleeting techniques.
  • "That which is quickly built is quickly torn down. Fabulous character can weather tremendous storms... Techniques don't. They fall apart, they crumble. And so do people."
    —Brian Buffini (00:33)
• Techniques must evolve with changing times (e.g., AI, social media), but foundational principles remain constant.

2. Og Mandino’s Core Philosophies

• Everyone is a Miracle
  • Mandino believed every individual’s life is miraculous and unique, a lesson shaped by his own near-overwhelming struggles.
  • Buffini encourages listeners to remind themselves: "You're a miracle and you are, we're all miracles." (01:10)
• Success Hinges on Ancient Principles
  • Mandino asserted, and Buffini agrees, that there are no "secrets" to success—just time-honored principles.
  • "It's a clear set of principles, not tactics and techniques... principles don't change." (01:30)

3. Three Life-Changing Principles from Mandino

a. Life is a Game

• Know the Rules:
  • "There's a set of rules. You gotta know the rules for success. And when you follow the rules, you win." (02:26)
• Stop Being a Spectator:
  • Many are content to watch life from the sidelines, but to win, one must participate.
  • "The pros are on the field, and the pros get paid to play... The spectators get to watch them." (03:00)
  • Criticism often comes from those not "in the game."
• Define Your Game:
  • Buffini challenges listeners to reflect: "What is the game you're in? What does winning look like for you?" (04:12)

b. Embrace Failure

• Failure as Preparation:
  • Quoting Mandino: "Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough." (05:07)
• Reflect and Learn:
  • Practice daily reflection: What went well, what didn’t, what can I learn?
  • "Tremendous transformation happens one little day at a time... Be patient, persistent." (05:35)
• Play Each Day Fully:
  • "I will pause whenever I'm feeling sorry for myself today. And remember that this is the only day I have and must play it to the fullest." (06:00)
• Another Mandino Gem:
  • "Failure is nature's plan to prepare you for great responsibilities." (06:40)
• Routine Affirmation:
  • Buffini reads a daily personal creed from Mandino’s "The Greatest Salesman in the World":
    • "Today I begin a new life. I will greet this day with love in my heart. I will persist until I succeed. I am nature's greatest miracle..." (07:09; see transcript for full affirmation)

c. No Man or Woman Is an Island

• The Power of Asking for Help:
  • Seeking guidance is not weakness; it’s crucial to progress.
  • "There is no such thing as a self made millionaire. I've never met one. I didn't become one." (08:00)
• Three Key Words:
  • "'I need help.' And when you do that... it's amazing what happens." (08:45)
• Coaching & Community:
  • Even those at the top need support—embracing mentorship and coaching empowers, rather than enables.

4. Mandino’s “Vows of the Rich”

• Buffini shares these vows, e.g., "Never again will I pity or belittle myself... Always will I seek the seed of triumph in every adversity... Never again will I perform any task less than my best..." (09:32)
• These vows are available as a downloadable resource on the It's a Good Life website.

5. Personal Lesson: Don’t Delay Action

• Buffini regrets missing the chance to see Og Mandino in person, urging listeners:
  • "When in doubt, go. When there's an event... go. You'll never regret the doing. You'll only ever regret the not doing." (09:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Resilience:
  • “Fabulous character can weather tremendous storms. Fabulous character can handle the stress and the strain.” (00:42)
• On Being in the Game:
  • “One of the reasons you know you’re a player is when you start taking criticism.” (03:20)
• On Learning from Failure:
  • “The key is, how do you learn, how do you grow and how do you get back in the game? And that’s how you win in the game.” (06:25)
• On Community:
  • “No man or woman is an island. We all need a bit of help. We do." (08:10)
• On Action:
  • "You'll never regret the doing. You'll only ever regret the not doing." (10:01)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Theme: 00:00–00:32
• Character vs. Technique: 00:33–01:30
• Everyone is a Miracle: 01:10–01:40
• Principles vs. Tactics: 01:30–02:05
• Life is a Game: 02:06–04:12
• Embracing Failure: 05:07–07:08
• Mandino's Affirmation: 07:09–07:53
• No Man is an Island: 08:00–09:10
• Vows of the Rich: 09:32–09:54
• When in Doubt, Act: 09:55–10:00

Resources Mentioned

• Daily Affirmations & Vows
  Available for download at itsagoodlife.com (see resources section).

Summary

Brian Buffini distills Og Mandino's timeless wisdom into three actionable life and business principles: 1) View life as a game and become an active player; 2) Embrace failure as a stepping-stone to growth; 3) Recognize that no one succeeds alone—ask for help and surround yourself with mentors and coaches. Through memorable quotes, actionable reflections, and personal anecdotes, Buffini invites listeners to integrate Mandino's unwavering principles into their own journey—and to seize opportunities with courage and character.