What You Can Learn From The World’s Most Successful People

Probably since the beginning, people have learned by watching  other people.  When some cave dweller decided to put a covering over the entrance to the cave, it was observed to be a good idea.  On the other hand, when their cave was buried in a rockslide, it was likely noted to not dwell in caves below steep rocky slopes.   And today, there are many things we can learn from successful people. From life philosophies to how they work, their success can be our inspiration.

While it’s probably not a good idea to become a hero worshiper (you can be your own hero), there’s value in applying some of the things that successful people have found most useful in their lives.  Here are some snippets from the world’s most successful and well-known people.

Steve Jobs

Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful, that’s what matters to me.

Steve was among the most wealthy men in the world.  And he’s probably one of the most quoted business figures out there.  But he had learned that there was something more important than wealth.  It’s what you do to make the world a better place, provide real value, and make a difference in people’s lives.

Michelle Obama

Find people who will make you better

No matter your political persuasion, it’s undeniable that Michelle was a real “people’s First Lady.”  She taught us all that we can break free of our imagined limitations.  And that one necessary component of that freedom is surrounding ourselves with people who are our cheerleaders, and who make us want to be better ourselves.

Michael Jordan

Princess Diana

Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.

Princess Diana personified kindness.  She taught us all that in some magical way, our good deeds would come back to us. It is in the lifting up of others that we are assured of being lifted up ourselves.

Bill Gates

As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.

From that quaint start in a garage, it was Bill Gates and Paul Allen who launched us into the computer age.   The success of his company Microsoft has been driven by his belief that you’re never in it alone.  Rather, you are part of your team, and it’s the empowered team that makes great strides forward.

Sheryl Sandberg

What would you do if you weren’t afraid?

Having broken through multiple glass ceilings, Sheryl knows the attributes of fear.  She speaks often of the value of self-confidence and the need to push ahead.  It’s only in facing one’s fears and breaking through them that we achieve our dreams and goals.

Walt Disney

I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing — that it was all started by a mouse.

Walt created that place we all love, the “happiest place on earth,” Disneyland.   He was the dreamer of dreamers, and his dreaming was hardwired to his imagination.  Even the Disney engineers are called Imagineers.  Each of us has the potential to transform the smallest of dreams into something that just might change the world, forever.

Oprah Winfrey

Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.

Oprah has repeatedly reminded us of the power of gratitude.  Loving what you have brings immediate joy and peace.  But the quest to have what you love can be a never-ending struggle of disappointments.  Contentment grows from within, not from a belief of “I can be happy when . . .”

Richard Branson

Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming.

Don’t ever believe that it’s too late.  Like many of the most successful people in the world, Richard has shown that he’s willing to fail.  He knows the key is learning the lessons, getting up again, and being ready to catch, or create, that next opportunity bus.  You’re never too old, too disabled, or too fill-in-the-blank to do anything.

There Is No Shortage of Possibilities and Opportunities

There’s an endless supply of inspiration out there.  You can use it to ignite your own journey to success.  Check out the infographic below for even more insights into the thinking of the most successful people on Earth.  Who knows?  Maybe one day  your quotes will appear in an article like this!