5 Easy Habits You Can Learn From These Billionaires

Thanks to their profound wealth, the super-wealthy continue to be a fixation to the rest of the world.

The largest percentage of today’s billionaires are self-made and although they each have their own story, they share some characteristics and practice certain habits that make them keepers of the world’s wealth.

In spite of their extraordinary ability to strategize, make tough decisions, take huge risks and do things differently from everyone else, the world’s billionaires are only ordinary humans doing extraordinary things. As such, they can teach us simple lessons that we can incorporate into our habit system:

A thirst for knowledge and personal development

From Mark Zuckerberg, Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffet to Bill Gates, these billionaires share one thing in common: a reading and self-development routine.

While they may not all read popular self-development literature, they are ardent readers of diverse types of literature within and outside of their field.

Reading widely is one of the best ways to invest in yourself, expand your horizons, and grow your knowledge base. Even then, you want to read valuable content that will help you to really improve your life.

If these busy individuals can make time to read, you too can carve out some time in your busy schedule to grow your knowledge and develop your intellect.

An attitude for gratitude

One would think that billionaires, with all their influence, busy schedules and high-flying life would not have time for seemingly woo-woo attitudes such as gratitude.

But, Bill Gates, Oprah, Buffet, and George Soros all attest to always giving thanks to what they already have. They do this during their meditation time and their attitude for gratitude is manifested by their commitment to philanthropy and charity.

Being thankful for what you already have gives you a strong sense of perspective, purpose and the ability to support others who might need it the most.

Most billionaires are entrepreneurs and they are not just in business to accumulate money. They also understand the importance of giving back to worthwhile causes.

Sharpening your greatest passion

Billionaires, like everyone else have different interests, hobbies and passions. For Anil Ambani, one of India’s top billionaires, it’s running marathons; for Sandy Lerner, CEO of Cisco it’s jousting; for William C. Ford of Ford Motors, it’s Tae Kwon Do while for Buffet, it’s playing the Ukulele.

What makes these very wealthy individuals extraordinary is their ability to pursue their hobbies and passions without getting side tracked from their predominant passion: their purpose, their business.

Billionaires were able to amass their wealth through sustained focus on their passion or strength, rather than splitting their energy and resources across different interests.

The reason why focusing on and nurturing a single passion works so well is that it allows you to be the master of one thing and to do it better than anyone else.

That’s really the billionaires’ secret: Doing one thing better than anyone else regardless of how many people are doing that same thing.

Living healthfully

Counter-intuitive as it may be, most billionaires are very protective of their health and wellbeing, and do not engage in gluttony or over-the-top merry making. They dedicate significant amounts of time and resources to eating healthfully and exercising regularly.  They understand the need to take care of themselves before they can care for their empire.

Oprah is perhaps the best example of a super-wealthy individual with a genuine commitment to living a healthy, wholesome life. Others, including Zuckerberg and Larry Ellison of Oracle are also known for their healthy lifestyles in terms of the foods they choose to eat and their commitment to regular exercise.

Once again, these super-busy, successful people have the time to exercise and create a healthy lifestyle; you too can make it. A healthful lifestyle will invariably allow you to go the extra mile, to put in the time and energy required to attain your life goals.

Hanging out with the right people

Even if you have never met or interacted with a billionaire, you can bet that they are very selective with the people they let into their inner circle. Wealthy, successful individuals understand that the people they hang out with influence their character, disposition and attitude.

Letting go of negative people and growing your network with the right, positive-minded people is one of the most important steps you can take toward creating meaningful changes in your life, and even building your own empire, step by step.