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Time of India
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
From Bill Gates to Steve Jobs, 2 powerful habits all high achievers share— And how you can use them too
From Bill Gates to Steve Jobs, 2 powerful habits all high achievers share— And how you can use them too While most people want to be successful in life, not many can do so. But why is it so? What are the things that most successful people are doing right that set them apart from the rest? Bestselling author-entrepreneur Tim Ferriss set out to discover what makes successful people tick, and that's when he spent over a decade interviewing some of the world's top performers. From tech founders and elite athletes to mental health experts and billionaires, he uncovered two surprising habits that consistently showed up in most high achievers, which helped them succeed in life. Talking about this, in a conversation with CNBC Make It, Ferriss explained how these two habits have helped countless high achievers stay focused, calm, and productive. It's something he's seen time and again through his popular podcast The Tim Ferriss Show, where he's spoken with everyone from Oprah to Ray Dalio. So, what are these powerful habits, and how do they shape one's success? Read on to know more: 1. Meditation: A powerful workout for your mind Ferriss says that around 70% of the top performers he's interviewed have some form of meditation or mindfulness routine. And it's not just sitting in silence. Meditation can include anything that helps clear the mind— and it includes journaling, walking, or swimming. His personal favourite? Transcendental Meditation (TM)— a simple technique where you silently repeat a mantra for 20 minutes twice a day. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 오스템 임플란트 받아가세요 임플란터 더 알아보기 Undo Big names like Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, and even Ray Dalio swear by it. Even Bill Gates , who once dismissed meditation as 'mystical,' now practices it for about 10 minutes a few times a week and says it helps him stay focused and sharp. If traditional meditation feels hard, Ferriss suggests rhythmic activities like running, biking, or even swimming. These can serve as meditative moments that calm your thoughts and center your focus. 2. The power of saying 'No': The productivity superpower While meditation helps calm the mind, saying 'no' helps guard your time. Ferriss noticed that high achievers are incredibly intentional about what they say 'yes' to. He cites Steve Jobs , who once said, 'Focusing is about saying no.' It's not about being rude— it's about protecting your time, peace, and energy. Warren Buffett agrees. He famously said, 'The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.' Ferriss believes that learning to say 'no' politely but firmly is one of the most powerful habits you can build in a world full of distractions. How you can start practice these habits You don't have to be a billionaire to use these strategies. Ferriss says anyone can benefit from them with small, consistent effort. Try meditating for just 5 minutes a day to start. You can take the help of guided meditation videos online or even use certain apps for it. Once you get used to it, try increasing the duration gradually. Practice gentle ways to say 'no', like: - 'Let me think about it and get back to you.' - 'Thanks for the invite, but I'll have to pass this time.' The more you build these habits, the more clarity, energy, and focus you'll have for what truly matters. In a noisy, always-on world, success often comes down to just two things: Quieting your mind and guarding your time. These aren't just habits of the wealthy— they're skills that anyone can learn and apply. And they just might be your edge in achieving more with less stress. Diana's Brother Says 'No' To Prince Harry's 'Spencer' Plan; Sussex Stopped From Changing Name? One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Most successful people share these 2 simple traits, and you can learn them too: Bestselling author reveals
When it comes to understanding the habits of high achievers, few have gone as deep as bestselling author and entrepreneur Tim Ferriss . After spending more than a decade interviewing some of the most successful people in the world, Ferriss has identified two habits that consistently stand out. They may sound simple, but they hold the power to transform lives. According to Ferriss, the traits most successful people share are regular meditation and the ability to say 'no.' According to Ferriss' conversation with CNBC Make It , these two habits are not just popular, they are also powerful. Ferriss, who rose to fame with his bestselling book The 4-Hour Workweek , has interviewed hundreds of top performers on his podcast The Tim Ferriss Show . From elite investors and Silicon Valley founders to world-class athletes and mental health experts, many of them attribute their sustained success to these core practices. Meditation: The unseen mental workout Ferriss estimates that over 70 percent of the successful individuals he has spoken to follow a meditation practice of some kind. This doesn't always mean sitting cross-legged in silence. It can include a wide range of calming and reflective activities that sharpen the mind and restore focus. For Ferriss himself, the preferred method is Transcendental Meditation, a technique that involves silently repeating a mantra for 20 minutes twice a day. This practice has attracted an impressive list of followers, including Oprah Winfrey, Jack Dorsey, Lady Gaga, and hedge fund billionaire Ray Dalio. Even Bill Gates, who once dismissed meditation as mystical nonsense, eventually adopted it in his 60s. He now practices it for about 10 minutes a few times a week and credits it for improving his ability to concentrate. For those who find traditional meditation difficult, Ferriss suggests rhythmic activities like running or swimming. These forms of movement can serve as a gateway to mindfulness, offering many of the same cognitive benefits by helping the mind settle and stay present. You Might Also Like: How to build a successful brand? Mamaearth's Ghazal Alagh shares the secret. 'Have an enemy' iStock Ferriss estimates that over 70 percent of the successful individuals he has spoken to follow a meditation practice of some kind. (Representational image: iStock) The discipline of saying 'no' While meditation strengthens the internal ability to focus, the second trait helps manage the external world. Ferriss points out that most high achievers are skilled at saying 'no.' In a world full of distractions, this ability can make or break a person's ability to stay on track. He cites Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who believed that innovation often comes from knowing what to eliminate. Jobs famously said, 'Focusing is about saying no.' Ferriss agrees, explaining that successful people protect their time fiercely and make deliberate choices about what gets their attention. Warren Buffett echoes this sentiment. In the book Atomic Habits , Buffett is quoted saying, 'The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.' iStock In a world full of distractions, the ability to say 'no' can make or break a person's ability to stay on track. (Representational Image: iStock) How you can apply these habits The good news is that both of these traits are not exclusive to celebrities or billionaires. They are skills anyone can build with time and practice. Ferriss emphasizes that setting boundaries does not have to be harsh. Simple phrases like 'Can I get back to you tomorrow?' or even a polite 'No, thank you' can help maintain focus without causing friction. You Might Also Like: Fancy degrees, qualifications don't matter. Shark Tank's Anupam Mittal says you need just 2 skills to be a successful entrepreneur In a time where constant connectivity and competing priorities dominate our lives, these two habits offer a roadmap to clarity and calm. They may seem basic, but they are often the difference between busy and truly productive. So whether you are climbing the corporate ladder or building something of your own, learning to sit in stillness and stand firm in your boundaries could be your key to success.
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Economic Times
Most successful people share these 2 simple traits, and you can learn them too: Bestselling author reveals
After years of interviewing elite achievers, Tim Ferriss identifies meditation and the art of saying 'no' as key habits behind sustained success. From Bill Gates to Oprah Winfrey, many influential figures use these tools to sharpen focus and protect their time. Ferriss encourages everyone to adopt these learnable habits for greater clarity, productivity, and peace of mind. Tim Ferriss, bestselling author and podcast host, reveals two powerful traits shared by the world's most successful people: regular meditation and the ability to say 'no.' (Representational image: iStock) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Meditation: The unseen mental workout Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Ferriss estimates that over 70 percent of the successful individuals he has spoken to follow a meditation practice of some kind. (Representational image: iStock) The discipline of saying 'no' In a world full of distractions, the ability to say 'no' can make or break a person's ability to stay on track. (Representational Image: iStock) How you can apply these habits When it comes to understanding the habits of high achievers, few have gone as deep as bestselling author and entrepreneur Tim Ferriss . After spending more than a decade interviewing some of the most successful people in the world, Ferriss has identified two habits that consistently stand out. They may sound simple, but they hold the power to transform lives. According to Ferriss, the traits most successful people share are regular meditation and the ability to say 'no.'According to Ferriss' conversation with CNBC Make It, these two habits are not just popular, they are also powerful. Ferriss, who rose to fame with his bestselling book The 4-Hour Workweek, has interviewed hundreds of top performers on his podcast The Tim Ferriss Show. From elite investors and Silicon Valley founders to world-class athletes and mental health experts, many of them attribute their sustained success to these core estimates that over 70 percent of the successful individuals he has spoken to follow a meditation practice of some kind. This doesn't always mean sitting cross-legged in silence. It can include a wide range of calming and reflective activities that sharpen the mind and restore Ferriss himself, the preferred method is Transcendental Meditation, a technique that involves silently repeating a mantra for 20 minutes twice a day. This practice has attracted an impressive list of followers, including Oprah Winfrey, Jack Dorsey, Lady Gaga, and hedge fund billionaire Ray Dalio. Even Bill Gates, who once dismissed meditation as mystical nonsense, eventually adopted it in his 60s. He now practices it for about 10 minutes a few times a week and credits it for improving his ability to those who find traditional meditation difficult, Ferriss suggests rhythmic activities like running or swimming. These forms of movement can serve as a gateway to mindfulness, offering many of the same cognitive benefits by helping the mind settle and stay meditation strengthens the internal ability to focus, the second trait helps manage the external world. Ferriss points out that most high achievers are skilled at saying 'no.' In a world full of distractions, this ability can make or break a person's ability to stay on cites Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who believed that innovation often comes from knowing what to eliminate. Jobs famously said, 'Focusing is about saying no.' Ferriss agrees, explaining that successful people protect their time fiercely and make deliberate choices about what gets their Buffett echoes this sentiment. In the book Atomic Habits, Buffett is quoted saying, 'The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.'The good news is that both of these traits are not exclusive to celebrities or billionaires. They are skills anyone can build with time and practice. Ferriss emphasizes that setting boundaries does not have to be harsh. Simple phrases like 'Can I get back to you tomorrow?' or even a polite 'No, thank you' can help maintain focus without causing a time where constant connectivity and competing priorities dominate our lives, these two habits offer a roadmap to clarity and calm. They may seem basic, but they are often the difference between busy and truly whether you are climbing the corporate ladder or building something of your own, learning to sit in stillness and stand firm in your boundaries could be your key to success.
CNBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CNBC
Bestselling author: I've interviewed hundreds of ultra-successful people—most of them share these 2 skills
Over more than a decade of interviewing successful people, Tim Ferriss has noticed two specific traits that he says most of them have in common. They practice some type of meditation regularly, he says — and they're good at saying "no." Ferriss is well-acquainted with success as an early investor in tech companies like Facebook, Uber and Twitter, and as the author of multiple New York Times bestselling books. He's interviewed hundreds of successful people — from fellow entrepreneurs and investors to athletes, entertainers and mental health experts — on "The Tim Ferriss Show," a podcast he launched in 2014. Practicing both skills — meditation and saying "no" when necessary — can help improve your ability to focus, says Ferriss, a bestselling author, investor and entrepreneur. Most successful people are able to "train themselves and the people around them to understand certain priorities during certain periods of time, and those are all learnable skills, in my opinion," he says. "That means internal and external distractions are blocked off," Ferriss adds. "I would say at least 70%, probably more than 80%, [of those people] have some type of what I and even they would describe as a meditative practice, whether that's actual meditation or something very similar in terms of [the] benefits," says Ferriss. That includes various types of "simple meditation" that you can do "once or twice a day… typically in the mornings," says Ferriss, who practices Transcendental Meditation (TM) himself. TM is a proprietary form of meditation that requires participants to sit for up to 20 minutes at a time, twice per day, while silently repeating a mantra. Famous adherents include Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey and hedge fund billionaire Ray Bill Gates is another proponent of meditation — a practice he picked up in his 60s after years of dismissing the practice as "a woo-woo thing tied somehow to reincarnation," he wrote in a December 2018 blog post. He touted the practice as "an exercise for the mind" that improved his focus, even just doing it "two or three times a week, for about 10 minutes each time," he wrote. If more formal types of meditation don't appeal to you, or you have trouble sitting still, other types of exercise can help you relax and improve your concentration, Ferriss says. Running can serve as a form of meditation, helping you calm your mind and focus, psychologists say. "It could be something like swimming, running: something that has a sort of rhythmic nature to it," Ferriss says. Most of the successful people Ferriss has interacted with are "very good at saying 'no' and putting on blinders in our current world of noise," he says. He points to a quote from Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who once said he was proud to have said "no" to so many ideas, leading to his company only selling what he considered the very best products. "Focusing is about saying 'no,'" Jobs said at Apple's 1997 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), adding: "You've got to say 'no, no, no' and when you say 'no,' you piss off people." Countless people, events and devices will always vie for your attention, at work and at home, and learning to say "no" to distractions can make you more productive. For some people, that means carving out a block of time — or even a dedicated workspace — to have uninterrupted focus on a project, free from social media or other people, Ferriss notes. Some experts recommend practicing polite phrases to turn away, even temporarily, people seeking your attention when you need to focus. Try "May I take a day to get back to you?" or the more blunt, "Sorry, no," efficiency expert Juliet Funt wrote for CNBC Make It in June 2021. Warren Buffett agrees, summing up his philosophy on the importance of saying "no" in an interview for author James Clear's 2018 book "Atomic Habits." "The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say 'no' to almost everything," Buffett said.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
He Made $171 Trading Futures When He Was Only 13–Now He's Worth $1.2 Billion—Investing Prodigy Tells His Story
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Investor Chris Sacca is not as well known as his more famous contemporaries like Warren Buffett and Ray Dalio, but then again, he's only just getting started. The 49-year-old billionaire has been investing since he was 13 when he made $171 on an options trade. He has had a knack for picking winners ever since and made a fortune on early investments in companies like Instagram and Uber (NYSE: UBER). Today, he is the head honcho at the Lowercarbon Capital Fund and Forbes magazine estimated his net worth at $1.2 billion in 2021. As is the case with many successful investors, Chris' interest in investing was sparked by the mentorship of a family friend. He recounted the story of his first trade during an appearance last month on the "The Tim Ferriss Show" podcast. Don't Miss: Unlock the hidden potential of commercial real estate — The secret weapon in billionaire investor portfolios that you almost certainly don't own yet. Sacca said it all started when he was working for a construction company run by his father's best friend Bob Haas. Haas was also an investor, and he showed Sacca his computer trading account. Sacca was immediately fascinated and Haas sweetened the pot with an interesting proposition. He offered to pay for Sacca to make one trade and eat the loss if it didn't work but split the profits if Sacca's trade made money. Sacca said Haas summed up the deal by explaining, "That's called venture capital." At the time, neither Sacca nor his parents had any experience investing, so Haas gave him one week to do market research and figure out what trade he wanted to make. It would be an understatement to say Sacca took his first stab at being an investment analyst seriously. Trending: If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a ? He told the podcast, 'I went to the library, I started learning about Stochastics, about charts, and technical analysis. I went all in. I read everything. I studied everything.' He eventually settled on commodities and discovered an opportunity in live hog futures that piqued his interest. Sacca made the trade and it was a winner. He pocketed $171 in profits, which was a lot more than the $4.25/hour Haas paid him for manual labor. He recalled being amazed that he could make that kind of money "by pushing a button and using my brain.' Sacca knew where his future was from that moment forward and told the podcast, 'I was like, 'I want to be the guy who works upstairs.' I can't tell you how seminal that experience was for me, the rest of my life. There's only so far you can lever a man-hour.'He became an avid stock-market observer and even remembers carrying a pager to school to alert him to big events in the market. Sacca completed his education in 2000 with a law degree from Georgetown University and then got a job working as an in-house attorney for Google. He continued his penchant for making great deals by becoming an early investor in Twitter. After that, Sacca started his own venture capital firm, Lowercase Capital, and made early investments in a string of successful startups that included Kickstarter, Uber, and Stripe. His net worth swelled along the way and Sacca announced his retirement from traditional venture capital investing. His current project is an investment fund called Lowercarbon Capital, which focuses on funding startups that reduce carbon emissions. Wondering if your investments can get you to a $5,000,000 nest egg? Speak to a financial advisor today. to decide which one is right for you. The changing interest rate environment has created an incredible opportunity for income-seeking investors to earn massive yields, but not through dividend stocks... Certain private market real estate investments are giving retail investors the opportunity to capitalize on these high-yield opportunities and Benzinga has identified some of the most attractive options for you to consider. For instance, the from EquityMultiple targets stable income from senior commercial real estate debt positions and has a historical distribution yield of 12.1% backed by real assets. With payment priority and flexible liquidity options, the Ascent Income Fund is a cornerstone investment vehicle for income-focused investors. First-time investors with EquityMultiple can now invest in the Ascent Income Fund with a reduced minimum of just $5,000. . Don't miss out on this opportunity to take advantage of high-yield investments while rates are high. Check out Benzinga's favorite high-yield offerings. This article He Made $171 Trading Futures When He Was Only 13–Now He's Worth $1.2 Billion—Investing Prodigy Tells His Story originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Sign in to access your portfolio
