17 Success Lessons from Bill Gates(2 Part)
11. Be Ready to Takes Risks
Starting a business is a little bit like gambling, you’re not always sure if you’ll win or not. However, the only difference is that you can strategize and plan well enough to ensure the success of your business.
This quote from Bill Gates is not only applicable to entrepreneurs, it can also apply in life as a whole. The world is full of uncertainties. Life has no rules and you have to sacrifice certain things to get to your destination.
People will step on and reject you but at the end of the day, if you are able to muster the courage to keep on going, nothing will stand in your way.
“Business is a money game with few rules and a lot of risk.” – Bill Gates
12. Never Fast Forward Your Way to Success
NOTHING comes easy and that includes being successful. Bill Gates and Paul Allen started Microsoft on a shaky foundation, but through patience and hard work they were able to surpass the struggles they encountered.
This just goes to show that there are no shortcuts to success, my friend. It takes time to build an empire and a lifetime of sacrifice to keep the consistency going.
“Patience is a key element of success.” – Bill Gates
13. Be Proud of Who You Are
Many people get frustrated because they’re not as smart, rich or talented as the person they look up to. You may get frustrated because you’re not as successful as Bill Gates, but you have to face the reality that we’re all born differently.
Each person has their own unique abilities and you have to accept that to become successful.
If you start to appreciate yourself and what you can offer, you will be more confident to do things your own way.
“Don’t compare yourself with anyone in this world… if you do so, you are insulting yourself.” – Bill Gates
14. Be Humble at All Times
It’s great to dream of success and all that comes with it. However, if you let it get into your head and start to think that you’re untouchable, that is not what you call success.
Life is a wheel, it’s unpredictable. You can be on top today, but at the bottom the next. (Trust me!) It’s best to stay humble at all times and never forget what got you there in the first place.
“Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.” – Bill Gates
15. Take Things Positively & Love Learning
Bill Gates also had his fair share of unsatisfied customers, but you know what? He never considered this as something negative. Instead he took their insights by heart and used them to improve his work.
When people hear criticism and bad feedback, they are easily discouraged and their drive to succeed goes downhill.
But if you think about it, this negativity will help you more than you realize, if you look closely. Learn from your mistakes and shortcomings and use that as a catalyst to be the best in what you do.
“Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.” – Bill Gates
16. Accept Failures & Move On
Failures are more important than success, because by failing you become successful. The greatest life lessons and the knowledge that changes everything – is found when you fail.
When you succeed, you can learn lessons, you are happy, people will praise you and everyone is willing to help you. But when you fail, everything is dark and you’ll know how it is to suffer. You will see the real ones from the fake ones.
More than the joy that success brings you, always place greater importance on the lessons you learned when you failed. Use that as your weapon as you go through life’s journey.
“It’s fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.” – Bill Gates
17. Share Your Success With Others
The last of Bill Gates’ success lessons is to share your success with others.
You know the feeling of being an owner of a small startup. It’s difficult and you have probably experienced many struggles.
A true successful entrepreneur will support and share his or her knowledge to other aspiring entrepreneurs, giving them the encouragement and inspiration they need.
“As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.” – Bill Gates
Here’s a quick recap of Bill Gates’ Success Lessons:
Start as early as possible
Enter into partnerships
You will not make $60,000 a year straight out of high school
Be your own boss as soon as possible
Don’t whine about mistakes, learn from them
Be committed and passionate
Life is the best school, not university or college
Be nice to nerds
TV is not real life
Life is not fair, get used to it
Be ready to take risks
Never fast forward your way to success
Be proud of who you are
Be humble at all times
Take things positively & love learning
Accept failures & move on
Share your success with others