When it comes to wisdom, there are few people more insightful than entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs are the people who push innovation forward with grit and courage, so it’s no wonder that so many of us look to them for sound advice and inspiration. Here are a few of our favorite snippets of wisdom from the world’s most successful entrepreneurs.
Richard Branson on Risk & Reward
“Those people who spend their time working on things they love are usually the ones enjoying life the most. They are also the ones who dared to take a risk and chase their dreams.” -Richard Branson
Elon Musk on Innovation & Failure
“There’s a silly notion that failure’s not an option at NASA. Failure is an option here. If things are not failing, you are not innovating enough.” -Elon Musk
Barbara Corcoran on Surrounding Yourself With The Right People
“A complainer is like a Death Eater because there’s a suction of negative energy. You can catch a great attitude from great people.” -Barbara Corcoran
Gary Vee on Time & Focus
“Spend zero percent of your energy on things that don’t matter.” -Gary Vee
Oprah on Failure & Grit
“Do the one thing you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time. The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire. This is your moment. Own it.” -Oprah
Tom Bilyeu on Habits & Mindset
“No one can give you heart. No one can give you discipline. No one can make you unstoppable. Those are things you must decide for yourself. But make no mistake, it’s a decision. It’s not a genetic gift. It’s a mindset.” -Tom Bilyeu
Sara Blakely on Failure & Outcomes
“I failed the LSAT. Basically, if I had not failed, I’d have been a lawyer and there would be no Spanx. I think failure is nothing more than life’s way of nudging you that you are off course. My attitude to failure is not attached to outcome, but in not trying. It is liberating.” -Sara Blakely
J.K. Rowling on Facing Fear
“I was set free because my greatest fear had been realized, and I still had a daughter who I adored, and I had an old typewriter and a big idea. And so rock bottom became a solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” -J.K. Rowling
Mark Cuban on Work Ethic & Continuous Learning
“It’s not about money or connections–it’s the willingness to outwork and outlearn everyone…And if it fails, you learn from what happened and do a better job next time.” -Mark Cuban