8 habits to borrow from Bill Gates to be successful in life
etimes.in | Feb 1, 2025, 08.24 PM IST
Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist, Bill Gates is an inspiration to many when it comes to his rise to success and fame from humble beginnings. Be it his hard work in making Microsoft a huge success or his philanthropic works through his foundation, it is quite inspiring to note Gates' extraordinary success in all fields. Here we list some habits to borrow from Bill Gates that can help you pave your way to success:
1. Read, read, read
Bill Gates is an avid reader and he often shares his book reviews and recommendations on his official blog. He reads roughly 50 books a year which help him expand his knowledge, stay informed and ahead of his time. And so, inculcating a daily habit of reading a vast variety of books like--—science, business, fiction or personal development- can help you grow as a person and be more knowledgable.
2. Set clear goals and work hardBill Gates had a clear vision for Microsoft and he stayed committed to it. He worked hard and tirelessly over the years to build Microsoft into the company that it is today. His hard work, focus, and resilience are qualities one should learn from him and practice in our lives too.
3. Learn from your mistakesBill Gates often acknowledges his failures which have provided him valuable lessons and helped him grow as a person. Embracing one's failures and mistakes as opportunities can help one improve and refine their work and approach towards life.
4. Give back to the society
Bill Gates is also a philanthropist and he deeply believes that real happiness isn't about accumulating wealth, but it is about using resources for meaningful and the right initiatives. And this is where his charity, through Gates Foundation, comes into play. Over the years, Gates has been supporting causes and trying to give solutions to the problems through his foundation. This also teaches one that being frugal isn't always about collecting wealth, but it's about using that money for the betterment of society.
5. Practice simple living and high thinkingWhat's common between billionaires like the late Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, or Bill Gates? Well all these billionaire techies follow the rule of simple dressing. If you notice, Bill Gates often wears a simple V-neck sweater with a collared shirt. Reports also suggest that he still wears a a $10 watch despite being a billionaire. Truly then, Gates teaches us to lead a simple life and invest in things that truly matter in life-- like knowledge and giving back to the society.
6. Be frugal with your spending
Despite being a billionaire and successful entrepreneur, Bill Gates knows the value of money and he seems to live a simple life. Reports reveal that it was only after Microsoft became a successful company, that Gates bought a Porsche automobile. This shows that he understands the importance and the hard work it takes to earn money.
7. Set aside thinking time
Bill Gates often sets aside think weeks to reflect on big ideas, trends, and future innovations. This helps him come up with great ideas, reflect and innovate, and be creative-- all of which sets his apart from the rest.
8. Maintain a work-life balance
Despite having a hectic work schedule, Gates values his family and relaxation. He was also spotted at Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant's pre-wedding celebrations in Jamnagar, Gujarat in 2024.
1. Read, read, read
Bill Gates is an avid reader and he often shares his book reviews and recommendations on his official blog. He reads roughly 50 books a year which help him expand his knowledge, stay informed and ahead of his time. And so, inculcating a daily habit of reading a vast variety of books like--—science, business, fiction or personal development- can help you grow as a person and be more knowledgable.
2. Set clear goals and work hardBill Gates had a clear vision for Microsoft and he stayed committed to it. He worked hard and tirelessly over the years to build Microsoft into the company that it is today. His hard work, focus, and resilience are qualities one should learn from him and practice in our lives too.
3. Learn from your mistakesBill Gates often acknowledges his failures which have provided him valuable lessons and helped him grow as a person. Embracing one's failures and mistakes as opportunities can help one improve and refine their work and approach towards life.
4. Give back to the society
Bill Gates is also a philanthropist and he deeply believes that real happiness isn't about accumulating wealth, but it is about using resources for meaningful and the right initiatives. And this is where his charity, through Gates Foundation, comes into play. Over the years, Gates has been supporting causes and trying to give solutions to the problems through his foundation. This also teaches one that being frugal isn't always about collecting wealth, but it's about using that money for the betterment of society.
5. Practice simple living and high thinkingWhat's common between billionaires like the late Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, or Bill Gates? Well all these billionaire techies follow the rule of simple dressing. If you notice, Bill Gates often wears a simple V-neck sweater with a collared shirt. Reports also suggest that he still wears a a $10 watch despite being a billionaire. Truly then, Gates teaches us to lead a simple life and invest in things that truly matter in life-- like knowledge and giving back to the society.
6. Be frugal with your spending
Despite being a billionaire and successful entrepreneur, Bill Gates knows the value of money and he seems to live a simple life. Reports reveal that it was only after Microsoft became a successful company, that Gates bought a Porsche automobile. This shows that he understands the importance and the hard work it takes to earn money.
7. Set aside thinking time
Bill Gates often sets aside think weeks to reflect on big ideas, trends, and future innovations. This helps him come up with great ideas, reflect and innovate, and be creative-- all of which sets his apart from the rest.
8. Maintain a work-life balance
Despite having a hectic work schedule, Gates values his family and relaxation. He was also spotted at Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant's pre-wedding celebrations in Jamnagar, Gujarat in 2024.
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