Success Secrets from the Top 5 Businessmen That I’m Applying to My Life

Success is not luck. It is a product of ideals, training and foresight. Today we have businessmen around the world who have created empires that have reached out to millions of people. It was not by sheer luck that they became rich, it was by being influential and leaving lessons to us to learn. Being a Nigerian guy who is still developing and forming my future, I see these men not only as billionaires, but also as educators. Their experiences teach me that one can become great when he/she is ready to pay the price. Elon Musk is the first personality I am admiring. He is the mind behind Tesla, SpaceX and numerous other mega ideas. The thing that I observe in him is that he is bold enough to think big and different. When others were content with coming up with normal cars he had dreams about electric cars that would transform the future. As others acknowledged that only governments could undertake space travel, he began a private firm that had the capability of launching rockets to space. What I am learning and applying in the example of Elon Musk is that I should not be restricted by my environment. Being a Nigerian, one can effortlessly think small due to difficulties in factors such as inadequate infrastructure, absence of support, and opportunities. But Musk can teach me that it is free to think big. When I have a vision of a better future in my mind, I can strive to achieve it however difficult it may seem to be.  [Image Source](https://pixabay.com/photos/man-suit-city-business-male-5515150/) The second entrepreneur that I respect is Jeff Bezos founder of Amazon. I am inspired by his story since he began with nothing big, at his garage, where he sold books online. Nowadays, Amazon is one of the largest corporations on Earth. The unique aspect of Bezos, as far as I am concerned, is his steady growth throughout the years. He concentrated on the customers, reinvested and never gave up on expansion. Through him, I have gotten to know that nothing is stronger than consistency. I might not get it all at the same time, but in case I continue to develop bit by bit, I will reach the destination. Nigeria is a country that many youths desire to achieve success and success within a short period, yet the life of Bezos has shown me that I can rely on patience and gradual development to incorporate a business that will succeed me. The third entrepreneur that I admire is Warren Buffett. He is the best of all time investors, and people refer to him as the Oracle of Omaha. The thing that I find remarkable about Buffett is not only his money but his wisdom. He reads and learns hours a day. He has only been investing in businesses that he knows and believes that they will last long. He is not moved by trends. The lesson that I am using Buffett is that the best investment is knowledge. I do not need millions of dollars to invest today but I can invest in my mind. Through reading, learning and knowing how money works, I am planning to prepare myself in the future. Another thing that Buffett makes me remember is to be value oriented rather than profit oriented. We usually seek quick wealth in Nigeria, but the true wealth is in creating something that really benefits people.  [Image Source](https://pixabay.com/photos/entrepreneur-start-up-man-planning-593358/) The fourth entrepreneur that I have studied is Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft. He transformed the world of technology making computers accessible to millions of people. However, what interests me more is the fact that he utilizes his wealth to address the global issues with the help of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He has financed health, education and poverty alleviation initiatives in various parts of the globe. The best thing that I can learn out of Gates is that being a successful person does not only mean what I possess, but also what I share. I can begin to make a difference no matter how small I am at the moment. It may be assisting someone to give advice, assisting a friend or even volunteering my time. Gates demonstrates to me that life is not as small as I am, and in case I want to be truly successful, I should begin by considering how my success will contribute to the success of others. Aliko Dangote, the richest man in Africa and one of the most proud people in Nigeria is the last businessman I look up to. He had accumulated his fortunes in cement, sugar, flour and more recently in the Dangote Refinery. It is his ability to believe in Africa when most people were fleeing to other countries. He realized potential in our continent and founded businesses that employ thousands of people. I have learned that I should believe in my environment as I learned at Dangote. There are issues in Nigeria, but there are opportunities, as well. I can seek needs surrounding me and form solutions instead of complaining about the government and fleeing. Dangote is reminding me that Africans have the potential of establishing global businesses as long as we believe in ourselves. These five men can be billionaires, but it is not all about money in their life. They give us the lesson, concerning vision, patience, knowledge, impact and faith in our surroundings. Being a Nigerian guy, I do not necessarily have everything they had, but I can use their secrets in my own manner. To think big is something that I have learned to do by Musk. What I have learned at Bezos is to always begin small and expand. What I have acquired about Buffett is to invest in knowledge and value. I have learned through Gates that I can use success to benefit others. And of Dangote, I have now learned to believe in the potential of Africa. I am not going to be a billionaire tomorrow, but through continued application of these lessons, I will create a life of impact, stability and purpose. The key to success lies not too far away; it is in my daily decisions. And like these men, I can also create an impression on the world.