Do you know what leads one person to achieve success in life over another? Here are 5 keys to a successful life, taken from the life of Bill Gates and applied to one challenge after another. We believe that success is within your reach, if you put these strategies to work now.
As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others. -Bill Gates
How do you define success in life? Most people consider success as having a great career, wealth, and respect from peers. But, don’t overlook goals that will support a happier life. Prioritizing relationships, physical health, safety, contributing to others, and creative expression have been shown to improve feelings of happiness.
The 5 Keys To Success
So now that you know what success is, how do you get there? Believe it or not, despite success looking different for everyone, here is list of strategies or keys to achieving that success in life.
1. Heed the lessons of failure
“It’s fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.”
Failure feels terrible, like getting slammed hard in the face. The weather is sometimes warm, sometimes chilly and sometimes windy. The thing is the situations are never going to be the same. We all fail. Neither you nor I can be an exception to this rule.
According to Bill Gates, failure is just as important as success, because it gives you a chance to get closer to your mistakes by analyzing the loopholes, and believe to do better in the future.
2. One-word to success: Focus
Bill Gates was at a dinner with Warren Buffett, where Gates’ mother asked people around to tell the single most important factor that has made them successful. Both of them gave the same one-word answer: “Focus.”
In other words, success is connected to mastering the ability to focus on tasks (goals) at hand in a world where we are surrounded by distracting thoughts and opinions.
3. Stop comparing yourself to others
“Don’t compare yourself with anyone in this world, if you do so, you are insulting yourself.”
It is an expected recipe for a drop in confidence and not-at-all a good feel. We are probably wasting a lot of our energy envying how others are amazingly good and you do not even stand any closer to them. Making a list of things you are not good at will slowly take you near to your deathbed. In fact, look at your strengths and talents and see what you’ve got to offer to the world. Break the habit of comparing yourself with others and rejoice in your own gifts.
4. Get the most from reading
“Whether I am at the office, at home or on the road, I always have a stack of books I am looking forward to reading.”
Bill Gates is well known for his voracious reading. He says he reads about 50 books in a year, that means about one book in a week. Reading is good but getting the right value from reading is what matters. Find a style of reading that you enjoy, use every moment to read anywhere, highlight what you like and take notes. Grab the book you want to read and keep it with you anywhere you go.
5. Make those damn dreams a reality
“If you are born poor it’s not your mistake if you die poor, it’s your mistake.”
Bill has a peculiar habit of reading which made him grow up with high dreams. He believed with a great amount of energy given, there is no dream that cannot be accomplished. He managed his time in a way to concentrate entirely on his goals. Chasing your dreams should be a priority. You need to work hard to turn your dreams into reality. Never give up on your dreams.