The Bill Gates Secret to Success

Years ago, I heard an interview with Bill Gates where he was asked by Larry King how he (and in turn, Microsoft) had become so wildly successful in the computer industry. His answer was very telling, and is probably similar to what many successful entrepreneurs and business owners would cite.

For some reason though, his response to the question has stuck with me through the years, and I often think back on it in relation to each business owner I encounter on a daily basis.

The Bill Gates Secret to Success

This is a paraphrase of what Bill Gates said has been the secret to his success:

1. I was in the right place, at the right time, and luck had a lot to do with. However, there were many others in the same place as I was when computers began to gain popularity.

2. I had long-term vision of how the personal computer would revolutionize every facet of life. Once again, there were many others with the same vision I had.

3. I took massive, immediate action. This is where the rubber meets the road. If you’re in the right place at the right time and have the vision to see where a new technology is going but don’t take action…you’ll never be successful. Without all three components in place, you’re doomed.

Powerful statements from one of the richest men in the world.

How many times have you had an amazing idea yet failed to act on it, only to learn a few years later that someone else had the same idea, and is now making millions because of it? Harsh? Yes, but it is the reality.

I’d like to add one more factor to the list.

Do the rights things long enough, consistently.

This is especially true for your marketing strategy and search engine optimization.

If you’re in the right place at the right time, have the long-term vision, and take massive, immediate action, success is still not going to appear overnight. If you’re baking a cake, you’ve got to follow the recipe exactly each time in order to get a consistent product. If you substitute peanut butter for regular butter one time, you’ll get a different end result. If you bake for 30 minutes one time, and an hour the next, you’ll get a different result.

Business is no different. Get an idea. Run with it. Do what it takes to succeed. Stick with it long term. Game on. That’s how you win.

How many of these factors apply to you?