It’s easy to think self-made billionaires just got lucky.
Maybe they were in the right place at the right time. Or maybe they stumbled across a discovery that made them a ton of money overnight.
But I’ve had the incredible fortune of being around and personally consulting
to a number of self-made billionaires—even some as they ascended to billionaire-
status—and
I can tell you all of that is unequivocally false. Not even close.
to a number of self-made billionaires—even some as they ascended to billionaire-
status—and
I can tell you all of that is unequivocally false. Not even close.
Every self-made billionaire I’ve ever met or studied has something in common
. It has nothing to do with luck or being in the right place at the right time.
They all bring a unique
set of attributes to each and every opportunity they come across. And when these
attributes are developed and not suppressed, they transform into compelling
strengths and
abilities,
but also severe (and sometimes very public) challenges.
. It has nothing to do with luck or being in the right place at the right time.
They all bring a unique
set of attributes to each and every opportunity they come across. And when these
attributes are developed and not suppressed, they transform into compelling
strengths and
abilities,
but also severe (and sometimes very public) challenges.
You’ve seen them recently in the likes of Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Richard
Branson
and Oprah Winfrey, and historically in Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford and
John D. Rockefeller.
But here’s the interesting part… you might have seen these in yourself, too.
Branson
and Oprah Winfrey, and historically in Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford and
John D. Rockefeller.
But here’s the interesting part… you might have seen these in yourself, too.
So do you have it in you to become one of those seemingly magical people who can
see the future and make it come to pass, all while making a pile of money in the
process?
Find out as I take you through the positives (and negatives) of the 10 attributes
found within
every self-made billionaire:
see the future and make it come to pass, all while making a pile of money in the
process?
Find out as I take you through the positives (and negatives) of the 10 attributes
found within
every self-made billionaire:
Related: 16 Rich Habits
1. High Sensitivity and Awareness
Beyond perceived eccentricities for things like timing, color, food, fragrance or
texture, a self-made billionaire’s sensitivities can be heightened to the point of distraction, isolation or
even debilitation. On the positive side, I’ve found they each have their own unique
sensitivities
and heightened awareness that can seem extrasensory: everything from design
functionality
and perfect pitch, obsessions over air and water quality, knowing—with certainty—
when someone else is dealing with a crisis. However, what’s special about the self-made billionaire
is how they find ways to leverage their sensitivities and awareness to increase
performance.
texture, a self-made billionaire’s sensitivities can be heightened to the point of distraction, isolation or
even debilitation. On the positive side, I’ve found they each have their own unique
sensitivities
and heightened awareness that can seem extrasensory: everything from design
functionality
and perfect pitch, obsessions over air and water quality, knowing—with certainty—
when someone else is dealing with a crisis. However, what’s special about the self-made billionaire
is how they find ways to leverage their sensitivities and awareness to increase
performance.
2. Future Focused
The future-focused attribute often goes by another term: visionary. This label has
become a badge of honor for entrepreneurs of every stripe, self-made billionaires included.
Earlier in their lifetimes, however, they often got a different label: hopeless dreamer.
The real
differentiator between the two is how much protection and support they were able
to surround
themselves with, helping to make their dreams a reality.
become a badge of honor for entrepreneurs of every stripe, self-made billionaires included.
Earlier in their lifetimes, however, they often got a different label: hopeless dreamer.
The real
differentiator between the two is how much protection and support they were able
to surround
themselves with, helping to make their dreams a reality.
3. High Processing Capacity
Self-made billionaires have unusually high processing capacities, being able to consume and retain information faster and in greater quantities than other people. This attribute
drives them to seek out and collect large amounts of data, regardless of their physical or cognitive limitations, such as dyslexia. It can even make them seem like machines, automatons or obsessive individuals. They have simply found ways to process
and analyze the information they collect in order to cast a clear vision, take action
and make constructive decisions
over time.
drives them to seek out and collect large amounts of data, regardless of their physical or cognitive limitations, such as dyslexia. It can even make them seem like machines, automatons or obsessive individuals. They have simply found ways to process
and analyze the information they collect in order to cast a clear vision, take action
and make constructive decisions
over time.
4. Persistent Adaptability
Though self-made billionaires maintain a persistent adaptability to take on new tasks, initiatives, businesses or even careers (think Bill Gates’ new focus on philanthropy
or Donald Trump’s transition to politics), they are not chameleons. Most actually
had difficulty
adapting to certain situations, such as structured school or social environments,
earlier in their
lives. Yet they developed a persistent adaptability to new tasks and careers, and this
attribute
enabled them to achieve their vision or desired outcome.
or Donald Trump’s transition to politics), they are not chameleons. Most actually
had difficulty
adapting to certain situations, such as structured school or social environments,
earlier in their
lives. Yet they developed a persistent adaptability to new tasks and careers, and this
attribute
enabled them to achieve their vision or desired outcome.
5. Intense Focus on Results or a Single Outcome
We have all heard the stories: Steve Jobs’ dogmatic drive to perfect the Ma
cintosh or Bill Gates’ near workaholic tendencies. There are many examples of
self-made
billionaires being viewed as super- or sub-human in order to make their mark
on the world.
Oftentimes, they pulled back and isolated themselves in order to get things
done. Although this
can make them appear obsessive, compulsive, combative or antisocial, the
key is that these
hyper-successful individuals directed this attribute toward very clear results
or outcomes.
cintosh or Bill Gates’ near workaholic tendencies. There are many examples of
self-made
billionaires being viewed as super- or sub-human in order to make their mark
on the world.
Oftentimes, they pulled back and isolated themselves in order to get things
done. Although this
can make them appear obsessive, compulsive, combative or antisocial, the
key is that these
hyper-successful individuals directed this attribute toward very clear results
or outcomes.
6. Bias for Improvement
As future-focused individuals, self-made billionaires see the world as it should be
, not what it is today. They see what should be modified, improved or evolved. Given the choice
between keeping things as they are or changing them for the better, they will
almost always
choose
the latter. But the desire for improvement without an underlying structure can
devolve into “improvement paralysis,” where products or ideas are endlessly
refined without
really
moving forward. But the self-made billionaire maintains focus on their intended
outcome to
set proper priorities on the improvements that actually move them and their
business forward.
, not what it is today. They see what should be modified, improved or evolved. Given the choice
between keeping things as they are or changing them for the better, they will
almost always
choose
the latter. But the desire for improvement without an underlying structure can
devolve into “improvement paralysis,” where products or ideas are endlessly
refined without
really
moving forward. But the self-made billionaire maintains focus on their intended
outcome to
set proper priorities on the improvements that actually move them and their
business forward.
7. Experimental or Experiential Learning
Yes, self-made billionaires learn through books, but they truly seek the application
of their learning, the experiences and experiments; otherwise, they don’t feel momentum.
As children, this attribute often made the traditional classroom and educational
structures
challenging. Experiences and experiments give these individuals confidence to
push further,
validate what they’ve learned and strengthen belief in their visions of the future.
of their learning, the experiences and experiments; otherwise, they don’t feel momentum.
As children, this attribute often made the traditional classroom and educational
structures
challenging. Experiences and experiments give these individuals confidence to
push further,
validate what they’ve learned and strengthen belief in their visions of the future.
8. Perceive Unique Connections
When the majority of people are united in one belief, it takes a certain type of
person to offer contradictions or alternatives. Self-made billionaires have an enormous capacity
to perceive unique connections in the world through their experiences, experiments
, focus
on the future and high sensitivities. They are able to see situations, problems,
solutions and
processes from different angles in order to leverage new resources or move
in new directions.
This can also be alienating and cause massive friction with their leadership teams.
person to offer contradictions or alternatives. Self-made billionaires have an enormous capacity
to perceive unique connections in the world through their experiences, experiments
, focus
on the future and high sensitivities. They are able to see situations, problems,
solutions and
processes from different angles in order to leverage new resources or move
in new directions.
This can also be alienating and cause massive friction with their leadership teams.
9. Drive for Gained Advantage
This is a very visible attribute. The self-made billionaire constantly asks themselves,
How do I get ahead? This consistently drives them to find an advantage or the means
to get ahead. Sometimes this attribute can make individuals seem cutthroat,
cold or heartless.
However, the drive for gained advantage is a competitive attribute that has
enabled the self-made
billionaire to seek out new and unique solutions to shared challenges, and increase
the contribution they can make to their teams.
How do I get ahead? This consistently drives them to find an advantage or the means
to get ahead. Sometimes this attribute can make individuals seem cutthroat,
cold or heartless.
However, the drive for gained advantage is a competitive attribute that has
enabled the self-made
billionaire to seek out new and unique solutions to shared challenges, and increase
the contribution they can make to their teams.
10. Innate Motivation
Typically, the self-made billionaires I’ve met and worked with have no idea where
their “fire” comes from. And although some view this attribute as mere ambition,
intrinsic
motivation isn’t the desire to climb corporate ladders or collect awards and
recognition.
This is
an engine with no off switch, a constant drive to achieve goals and contribute
to the world. Naturally,
intrinsic motivation can also make these individuals restless, impatient and
combative,
especially around people who either lack the same kind of motivation or become
obstacles
to their momentum.
their “fire” comes from. And although some view this attribute as mere ambition,
intrinsic
motivation isn’t the desire to climb corporate ladders or collect awards and
recognition.
This is
an engine with no off switch, a constant drive to achieve goals and contribute
to the world. Naturally,
intrinsic motivation can also make these individuals restless, impatient and
combative,
especially around people who either lack the same kind of motivation or become
obstacles
to their momentum.
Looking at every self-made billionaire throughout history, you will find these 10
attributes. But while reading them, you might notice something interesting….
You can see some or
all of them in yourself.
attributes. But while reading them, you might notice something interesting….
You can see some or
all of them in yourself.
These attributes are not limited to the self-made billionaires, but found in an
overlooked and misunderstood subpopulation of our society, the Entrepreneurial
Personality Type
(EPT). What I’ve found in both working with these individuals and researching
them, is
that the only difference between them and other EPTs is their ability to
recognize their
unique attributes, and find the protection and support necessary to turn
them into incredible strengths.
overlooked and misunderstood subpopulation of our society, the Entrepreneurial
Personality Type
(EPT). What I’ve found in both working with these individuals and researching
them, is
that the only difference between them and other EPTs is their ability to
recognize their
unique attributes, and find the protection and support necessary to turn
them into incredible strengths.
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