7 chronological life lessons I learnt from wealthy people.

Like many I work from my laptop, allowing one to travel the world with ease and meet people from all backgrounds. Before this I worked for a year in America where I had the chance to be mentored by a wealthy and very patient individual who introduced me to a variety of his friends. And this is what I learnt.

Relevant for all those who think about money, happiness, what to do and who they want to be? There is nothing magical I am telling you, however it is worth everybody knowing these basic foundation lessons before embarking anything in life.

I have ensured the privacy of each person by not including names or businesses, if you really wish to know please email me.

1. Work hard and you can have whatever you want.

Quite possibly the most cliché saying I heard, however once you understand what it means things start to make sense. Read the title of point ‘2’ then come back to this.

Left out in Chicago needing a place to stay my boss had mentioned a friend of his that built his own house in the suburbs. I stayed in the basement (I say basement but I mean, home cinema, bar, lounge, virtual golf room, gym, memorabilia and bedroom).

The phrase means that if you never give up, deny all inaction of failures and follow passions and dreams you can accomplish more beyond your knowing. But it takes time! I cannot tell you how long.

Many of us, like I, constantly deal with distraction and procrastination, but remember - Rome was not built in a day.

2. Be smart about the work you dedicate your time to.

Quoted to me by a runner up for L.A congress during a trip In Vegas, as we walked up towards the Venetian hotel in the light of day I discussed my previous experience regarding point ‘1’ of hard work.

It was simply defined that there is a belief that hard work is hours, time, orders, and completion of remedial work. But to be smart is to learn the right things, to delegate responsibility effectively, know what you are capable of but to never stand at a till for hours. This can crush your dreams, you must be passionate about your life and truth be told, sometimes it can take very long hours too but use them well.

3. 20% persistence 80% perspiration, be prepared to sweat

Following on from previous comments it is easy to misconstrue the meaning of hard work and then to be smart about what you decide to do (once you find out what you want that is).

But this is quite a common quote among many successful people told to me in a Hotel hot tub in Marylebone Hilton Hotel Spa by a man that owned a franchise of stores.

Perspiration is the physical work, the laboring, the pain, the writing, reading, and hours spent to achieve the chosen goal in the variety of fields. Persistence is there for every moment you feel weak, hard done by, confused or blurred. NEVER STOP! “Just keep moving forward” as rocky balboa says.

4. Do not worry about being a shark, not everyone will believe or be happy with what you do, but those who do care are the ones who matter and will help.

One of the more interesting business men I have met, the man who told me this was the owner of an international custom made pet toy company that had expanded rapidly. We had met during a conference in Texas where he was an alumni member who came in to present.

This was a good lesson in relation to “forget the haters” A lesson in Sales, which by the way is why you get that spin tingling feeling when you know someone is selling something for the quick buck. But this was not the lesson.

Sometimes you must win, do not be scared of passion, or ambition and charisma and do not allow others to put you down and say “you can’t do that, no one’s ever done it! That’s weird, that sounds embarrassing”… Also if no one has ever done it, maybe you will be the first.

So do not worry to swim against tide and bump into a few fish along the way. The Sharks will follow but be authentic keeping your goal in mind.

5. It’s not who you know, it’s who knows you.

This was a famous phrase from a man who works in Politics, I heard it during his speech while staying at a Hilton in Washington DC 5 minutes from the White house.

Honestly my favorite quote of many, which in particular puts philosophies of networking to shame. It is easy, people through my life said it’s all about who I know. I know who Bill Gates is, however he’s not done much for me apart from lead his company in which I had bought products, but if Bill Gates knows who I am then this is a different matter. He may answer my questions, mentor me, help, or even become my friend and reference.

You must get people to know who you are, be bold, be brash however always polite! Never rude, you would be surprised how delightful some people are! A reason you may not get responses is because your ideas do not fit their aims and goals. At the end of the day we are all people and give time to those we feel best to do so. Learn to approach people, be authentic and learn to give.

6. Successful people have ambition, they are well rounded, personal health, work, philanthropy and family are all important.

 A retired C.F.O and previous board member of Delliotte had come to the office I worked at in America and my boss was busy so I said I would take him for lunch as a distraction. This gave me a chance to sit, speak and learn some wisdom and as mentioned get him to know me!

He also quoted “Slow down, keep working hard and let things start coming to you.”

7. Billionaire advice “You must want to be wealthy, giving is important and being rich is nothing without family and friends”

The oddest and most relevant of all stories. I was on a plane flying to California and a man was causing hassle taking peoples items out from the luggage space giving it back to them! Until someone became upset he put everything back and placed his luggage uncomfortably beneath his chair. I inspected him in the corner of my eye to notice a very large definable ring (usually a sign).

He turned to me and asked what I do, I explained my work and he said if he gave me a million dollars what I would do with it. “Move to somewhere that the exchange rate is great for the dollar, double it. Invest there and come back.” He laughed.

I asked why he said this as it was an odd question and he began to explain me his story and life. The man next to me was a self-made Saudi Billionaire who lived in America, extremely humble he had booked late and missed the first class and had the luck of being with me. I did my research after I promise!

But I had messaged him after our trip and accidently messed the email up and had to send two, the second apologizing.

He replies simply “I am committed to my projects”

This is what opened my eyes and changed my life… Take action, follow through.