16 Valuable Life Lessons from the Most Influential People in the World

Everyone has their own definition of success, and each of us will follow a different path in life to get there.

The good thing is that many people have come before us, and successful people often share with others their tips for success and the lessons they learned while trying to achieve their goals.

These influential people have various professions (not just one sector). Of course, so that the lessons become more diverse, wow… so curious, right?

From superstar athletes to business and the media, these tips for success come from some of the most influential people in their fields. Learn wise knowledge and experience from them and apply it to your own plans for success.

Also read: 8 Unique Habits of Successful People.

1. Embrace the Possibilities

“When you get to a point in your life when you see hard things, don’t look the other way; move in that direction. That’s when you can effect change.” —Melinda Gates

The unknown can certainly be scary to many people. We avoid change because it has the potential to bring a new set of problems and stress. However, if you are leaning towards something that may seem difficult, that change can also bring great accomplishments and happiness.

You’ve probably heard that complacency is the enemy of progress, but by embracing possibilities — even when they seem difficult — we set ourselves up for success.

2.Challenge Yourself

“Do the one thing you think you can’t do. Fail at that. Try again. Do better the second time around. The only people who never fall are those who never put high wires. This is your moment. Have it.” —Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey may seem like she has the golden touch, but if you ask her about her failures, she can undoubtedly rock a lot of examples.

The media mogul has not been defined by his failures, but rather views them as points in his life where he challenges himself and learns from those mistakes. It is this kind of fearlessness that is shared by many of the world’s most influential movers and players.

3.Put yourself out there

“To be successful you have to be out there, you have to hit the ground running.” —Richard Branson

Anyone can make big plans about what they want to do and how they plan to do it. Plans without action, though, are nothing more than daydreaming.

The business titan’s advice on success is clear and simple but invaluable: take a chance and throw the plan away. Of course there is some risk involved in doing so, but the greatest success always involves a degree of risk.

4. Set High Standards for Yourself

“Be a quality yard stick. Some people are not used to an environment where excellence is expected.” —Steve Jobs

Another tip for success that successful people do is to hold yourself to high standards. Our lives are the accumulation of the decisions we make, and the standards we hold ourselves to are often the result of those decisions.

Your family, friends, boss, and coworkers have their own standards by which they hold, but it is your own behavior that shapes the expectations they have of you.

Be developing a set of values that are important to yourself and holding on to those values, you display integrity. It is this trait that when combined with hard work often results in lifelong success.

5. Be a persistent person

“Persistence is very important. You cannot give up unless you are forced to give up. ” —Elon Musk

In December 2020, Elon Musk’s Starship rocket exploded into flames upon landing. If you think Musk is going to throw out the towel and wallow in failure, then you don’t know much about the entrepreneurial giant.

Not only was he one of the most influential people around today, but he was also one of the most persistent.

No matter what your goals are, there will be critics and obstacles. It is they who are persistent in spirit and unhindered by failure who will have the greatest chance of finally achieving success.

6. Serving Others

“There may be no definition of a successful life that does not include service to others. Find something to do. Get off the bench.” —George HW Bush

Perhaps one of the most important tips for success, serving others is just as important as anything else on this list.

One of the most important things George HW Bush accomplished during his presidency was signing the Americans with Disabilities Act. It was an important step for civil rights and services to those who had been neglected for so long.

If you look at the list of the most successful people in the world, you will no doubt find that almost all of them serve others in some way. Whether it’s through mentoring, job creation, or making positive change, they believe that the more they serve the more they receive.

7.Commitment

“There is that moment every morning when you look in the mirror: Are you committed or not?” —LeBron James

If you are not in it to win it, then success is impossible to follow. Those who experience success know how to concentrate. They recognize goals and are committed to making them happen.

This doesn’t mean, of course, that there won’t be moments of doubt and setbacks along the way. However, instead of putting those goals aside, they adapt and commit to achieving every step that will bring them closer to making their aspirations a reality.

8. Have a Positive Attitude

“I have never, ever focused on the negative. I always see the positive.” —Sonia Sotomayor

The Supreme Court Justice’s words about having a positive attitude may not sound like earth-shaking enlightenment on finding success, but they ring true.

Having a positive outlook, practicing mindfulness, and trying to see the bright side of a situation instead of dwelling on the negative are very powerful things.

Positive thinking has the ability to change your life in every possible way. It impacts everything from how you see yourself to how you engage with the people you meet.

A good attitude can impact not only your chances of success but your overall health as well.

9.Be a brave person

“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” —Walt Disney

Many shared traits can be found in the most successful entrepreneurs and leaders throughout history. One of those qualities is courage.

Successful people are bold and confident. This doesn’t mean they don’t have moments of doubt, but they do have a healthy confidence in themselves that they can adapt, face, and conquer the challenges that life throws their way.

Note that Disney quotes don’t say “our dreams will come true,” but rather they “can come true.” Success is no guarantee, but with courageous self-confidence, it does have the possibility to be achieved.

10.Success Doesn’t Come Easy

“Progress will come fit and start. It’s not always a straight line. It’s not always a smooth road.” —Barack Obama

Every president faces challenges and witnesses setbacks in the goals they want to achieve. The former US president’s quote is a statement that progress requires hard work.

For each milestone, there were probably half a dozen failures that came before it.

The road to your own success will likely not be smooth without its own bumps and obstacles. But by building a work ethic on the principles outlined here, progress towards success can be made.

11. Intuition Trust

“Don’t you dare underestimate the power of your own instincts.” —Barbara Corcoran

Oftentimes, the more successful a person becomes, the more they have other people advising them on what they should or should not do.

There’s certainly value in surrounding yourself with smart people of good character, but there’s a lot to be said for trusting one’s own gut.

There is actually some real science behind gut instinct or intuition, and our brains are constantly comparing past experiences with current information.[3] Shark Tank regular Barbara Corcoran has definitely trusted her own intuition in business and neither should you.

12.Learn to be a Strong Communicator

“Effective communication is 20 percent what you know and 80 percent how you feel about what you know.” —Jim Rohn

Being a strong communicator is very important in many aspects of life and one of the best tips for success.

Speaker, author, and entrepreneur Jim Rohn is a brilliant communicator and attributes much of his success to his ability to effectively communicate his views, goals and knowledge to those around him.

From job interviews to leading troops into battle, good communication goes hand in hand with the power of persuasion and the success that can follow.

13.Be a Passionate Person

“Whether you found your calling, or you are still searching, passion must be the fire that drives your life’s work.” —Michael Dell

This is perhaps the most common but also one of the most important tips for success. If you’re not passionate about something, it’s hard to give your 100 percent for it. Sure, you might be able to keep it for a short time, but in the long run, not a chance.

Michael Dell (yes, a computer expert) makes a good point about finding someone’s calling. If there is no passion behind what you do, the success that your efforts produce will be limited at best.

14.Determine What You Want

“Life punishes vague desires and rewards specific requests.” —Tim Ferris

The most influential and successful people in the world have a clear vision of their goals and what they want to achieve. They don’t just throw darts and hope to hit a good idea.

You are in charge of developing your own focus and defining what you want in life.

Once you know what it is, go after it. If you are more responsible at work, ask. If you’re starting your own business, take steps to make it happen.

15. Confidence

“Be inspired by the success of others, but don’t be intimidated by them.” —Daymond John

There will always be someone more successful than you. In fact, chances are that when you first start, there will be a lot more successful people.

Allowing the success of others to deflate your self -confidence can be very overwhelming, though. Instead of seeing other people’s accomplishments as unattainable, use them as inspiration and purpose to strive for.

16.Make Smart Choices

“Your legacy is being written yourself. Make the right decision.” —Gary Vaynerchuk

Last but not least on this list of tips for success make smart choices. Everyone is faced with a decision, whether it’s a big decision or a small decision.

It is the choices you make that shape your life and the events and people that come into it. Make the wrong choices and you could have a pretty miserable life.

No one can choose the right choice for you, but you can learn to make smart decisions that lead to success.

Making those wise decisions really comes down to recognizing your goals and considering how those choices move you closer to achieving those goals and aligning with your values.