5 Little Life Tips from Big Name Entrepreneurs

Herb Kelleher“Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans” crooned John Lennon. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Maybe you want to own a sustainable hobby farm, be a librarian or someday become the CEO of General Electric, there are principles that apply to everyone’s journey. Advice that comes from people who have accomplished their dreams can help you plan, execute and achieve your goals — no matter what they are.

Here are 5 little life tips from some well known entrepreneurs.

Bob Parsons: Get Out and Stay Out (Of Your Comfort Zone)

Security is for corpses

Success means stretching yourself to the limits. Bob Parsons, GoDaddy CEO, knows this to be true on a number of levels. In his “16 Rules for Success in Business and Life in General,” his first rule instructs the importance of taking leaps and trying new approaches, because, “security is for corpses.”

 

Dave Kerpen: When You Want Something, Give Instead

When you want something from someone, instead of asking, offer your service

Dave Kerpin image by Worth of Mouth Marketing Assn. via Flickr.

The CEO of Likeable Local credits his father-in-law for the best advice he has ever gotten. He explains to The Huffington Post that to act unselfishly and trustworthy establishes you as a true friend and a worthy person. When you want something from someone, instead of asking, offer your service. It may not always pay off, but more often than not it will work in your favor (and bring you good karma too).

 

Michael Moritz: Follow Your Instincts

At the end of the day maintain the courage to stick to your convictions

Three simple words made a big impact on Mr. Moritz as a young man. He clarifies this doesn’t mean you should “trust your gut” at face value, according to The Huffington Post. You must do extensive homework and analyze options carefully, but at the end of the day maintain the courage to stick to your convictions.

 

Herb Kelleher: Keep an Open Mind

Anyone should be accepted with an open mind, and everyone should have a chance to prove themselves worthy

The founder and former chairman of Southwest Airlines uses a piece of advice from his mother, who was a big influence in his life. “People should be respected and trusted as people, not because of their position or title,” he said in a CNN Money article. Do not trust a person because of high stature or important title. Anyone should be accepted with an open mind, and everyone should have a chance to prove themselves worthy. If you are talking to someone, give them your undivided attention. They should be the only one you are focused on at that moment. Everyone deserves that.

 

Derek Sivers: Be a First Follower

It takes guts to start something new, but it also takes guts to be the first one to follow that new leader

Derek Sivers is an entrepreneur who runs CD Baby, an online site where independent musicians can sell their albums. He gave a motivating speech on “How to Start a Movement” for a TED Conference that anyone could take to heart.

“The first follower transforms a lone nut into a leader,” he said. It takes guts to start something new, but it also takes guts to be the first one to follow that new leader. There is no movement without a first follower.

Who inspires you?

Who are some of the famous and not so famous people that have inspired you?

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Gary

CEO at 3Bug Media
Gary Shouldis is the founder of 3Bug Media, a web marketing company that helps businesses create 360 Marketing Strategies to dominate their market. His blog is read by over 20 thousand small business owners a month and has been featured in the N.Y. Times Small Business, Business Insider and Yahoo Small Business.
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