Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons—who went from being a pot dealer in Queens to cofounder of Def Jam Records—isn’t afraid to share his secrets to making it big. Before he reads from his new self-help book, Super Rich: A Guide to Having It All, tomorrow night at Seattle Public Library, get to know some of his best tips to eternal happiness:

I define super rich as the state of needing nothing. We naturally wake up in the morning and decide on what we’re going to give as opposed to what we’re going to get. FOX Detroit

I used to think anxiety and insomnia drove me to success. But it was the stillness that let me be good at anything. When you extend the seconds of stillness, that’s when you’re able to think and learn. Express Night Out

I can say I’m mostly happy. Compared to what? Am I eternally blissful? No. But do I find moments when I’m ecstatic about being alive? Yes! And I have those moments more and more often the more I meditate, practice yoga, and live by these principles. The Aquarian

Some people talk about changing careers, what they need is a change of heart. I want to encourage people to change their heart when they go to work—do a good job, excel. It makes you happy. Seattle P-I

Happy is something that is not based on the outside forces. It’s something from inside. And when you’re calm and you’re in a state of needing nothing, it’s a place of operation and of abundance. CNN.com

Struggle is your great teacher. I’m an older person. I was a drug dealer. I was a gang member and a lot of other things. My evolution has been gradual. The Aquarian

The ideas, if they’re new, ain’t shit til you start to execute them. I’m sitting here with Jinx da Juvy, the rapper. He got shot four times total. Now he’s 24 years old, he’s finishing college, and he’s been through a lot of shit. He’s on his hustle right now, he’s bugging me right now with his new record right this minute. He’s making videos, and he’s in school and he’s here. He didn’t quit. So, how do you make it? You stay on your grind. Rolling Stone

Russell Simmons reads from Super Rich: A Guide to Having It All on Thursday, February 24, at 7pm at Seattle Public Library’s Central Library.