Jordan Fried is an Internet entrepreneur based in Budapest,
Hungary. He’s the co-founder and CEO of a startup company called Buffered VPN.
He’s also a CrossFit addict and personal development junkie.
I read this wonderful article written by him, where he is
bang on target with his observations and advice. Reproducing it, word by word.
*******************
When I began interviewing business leaders for my new
podcast The Inbox Inspiration, I didn’t realize the impact it would have
on me. Getting the opportunity to talk to dozens of successful, inspiring
individuals has been nothing short of incredible.
Through our conversations, I got VIP access to some of their
secrets and advice, what motivated them, what helped them to get where they are
today.
Here are nine of their best success lessons (so far!), from
them to me to you:
1. You are the sum of the five people you spend the most
time with. My mom always used say, “Tell me who your friends are and I’ll
tell you who you are.” And she was right on—because millionaires surround
themselves with other millionaires.
If we really are the sum of the people we surround ourselves
with, it’s so important to surround
yourself with the right ones. Successful people are always networking with
each other at events, conferences and mastermind groups.
2. Money in itself won’t make you happy. But money
can buy you the freedom to do the things that can make you happy. True
happiness comes from filling your time and your days with meaningful
pursuits that you’re passionate about.
I’ve met rich people who are incredibly unhappy and poor
people in Third World countries who are some of the happiest people I’ve ever
encountered. The point is that it’s possible to be happy right now, whether you
have $20 or $20 million. By being grateful for what you have, for being alive
and for having this day, you’ll be more present and have better perspective.
3. “It’s not about the goal. It’s about becoming the type
of person that can accomplish the goal,” the great Tony
Robbins said. He probably knows what he’s talking about.
Most millionaires will tell you it’s not so much about
making the money; it’s about growing as a person, growing your business to a
point where it’s capable of making money. The journey is far more valuable than
the destination.
And once you’ve arrived, the question becomes, Now what?
That’s why it’s so important to enjoy the ride and be grateful for how far
you’ve come and what you’ve achieved so far.
4. Get a mentor so you can get growing. Almost every
successful person you ask will tell you they had a mentor at some point
along the way.
Find someone you admire, look up to—someone who’s where you
want to be—and ask them for guidance to help you improve who you are and what
you want to become. With their advice, you’ll learn best practices, you’ll be
challenged, you’ll be better prepared to succeed.
5. Like to learn. Every entrepreneur and successful
person I’ve met is a lifelong learner. They understand the importance of
constantly improving, constantly growing.
Driven people self-educate through books, audiotapes, online
courses, seminars…. They’re determined to always learn new skills, to keep
developing as a person—to never become stagnant. They never stop.
6. Two (or three or four) income sources are better than
one. Millionaires know how to put their money and resources to work for
them. And almost all of them have at least two more sources of
income—investments in financial securities, real estate, angel investing,
partnerships.
While multiple sources of income certainly help them
increase their wealth, they are laser-focused on one income stream first then
diversify once they’ve hit a level of stability.
7. Hate the gym? Well, learn to hate it a little less.
Almost every millionaire I’ve interviewed has some sort of rigorous workout
routine—weightlifting, marathons and triathlons, running. They’re elite in
business and at the gym.
There’s a correlation between breaking down barriers in
fitness and breaking them down in business and in your mind. They’re both about
strength and confidence, discipline and commitment. Weak won’t cut it. So get
workin’ on your fitness—and the rest will seem a little less daunting.
8. Read—a lot. I’ve yet to meet a millionaire who
doesn’t do a lot of
reading. And I’m not talking about Harry Potter or Hunger Games.
I’m talking books with real, practical tips—for personal and professional
growth, for people who want to constantly improve themselves and their
businesses.
Books are a great way to learn from successful people who
may have been where you are now and have something valuable to teach you. It’s
like having some of the best business minds of our generation mentor you. Read
a lot and read often.
9. Write down your experiences. You don’t have to
blog to be a millionaire. But it wouldn’t hurt. A lot of successful people are
getting their start from blogging.
It’s a
powerful tool, because by documenting your journey and inspirations, you go
through a sort of self-discovery, while also growing your reputation and
business. If you’re not ready to share everything on a public blog, try keeping
handwritten journals instead. The introspective writing process reminds you of
what you’ve been through and where you want to go. And writing down your goals
is an incredible way to make sure they happen.
Jim
Rohn said it best: “It is challenging to be a student of your own life,
your own future, your own destiny. Don’t trust your memory. When you listen to
something valuable, write it down. When you come across something important,
write it down. Take the time to keep notes and to keep a journal” (or in my
case, a podcast or blog!).
Jordan
is an Internet entrepreneur based in Budapest, Hungary. He’s the
co-founder and CEO of a startup company called Buffered VPN. He’s also a
CrossFit addict and personal development junkie. - See more at:
http://success.com/blog/9-things-i-learned-from-talking-to-9-millionaires#sthash.lob3FPsL.dpuf
Jordan
is an Internet entrepreneur based in Budapest, Hungary. He’s the
co-founder and CEO of a startup company called Buffered VPN. He’s also a
CrossFit addict and personal development junkie. - See more at:
http://success.com/blog/9-things-i-learned-from-talking-to-9-millionaires#sthash.lob3FPsL.dpuf
Jordan
is an Internet entrepreneur based in Budapest, Hungary. He’s the
co-founder and CEO of a startup company called Buffered VPN. He’s also a
CrossFit addict and personal development junkie. - See more at:
http://success.com/blog/9-things-i-learned-from-talking-to-9-millionaires#sthash.lob3FPsL.dpuf
Jordan
is an Internet entrepreneur based in Budapest, Hungary. He’s the
co-founder and CEO of a startup company called Buffered VPN. He’s also a
CrossFit addict and personal development junkie. - See more at:
http://success.com/blog/9-things-i-learned-from-talking-to-9-millionaires#sthash.lob3FPsL.dpuf
