6 Surprising Habits of Billionaires: Lessons from 94 Ultra-Wealthy Contacts

📱 They Text More than They Call

In my interactions with some of the world’s wealthiest people, one consistent habit stands out: billionaires prioritize texting over calling. While they have extensive teams and resources at their disposal, when it comes to direct communication, they value the efficiency of texting. Jeff Bezos, for instance, earns approximately $2,500 per second. A phone call, which takes away precious moments, is a cost they prefer to avoid. Texting allows for quick, concise exchanges, making it the preferred mode of communication for real estate deals and other negotiations. Oftentimes, they also use secure apps like Signal to ensure sensitive information remains private and ephemeral.

⏳ Masters of Time Management

Billionaires excel at not wasting time. This became evident to me when dining with them. They order their meals almost instantaneously upon the waiter’s arrival, avoiding prolonged menu reviews and inquiries about specials. Such behaviors reflect their broader mindset—making quick decisions is second nature to them. Eliminating trivial decision-making allows them to focus on more significant matters. For instance, rather than deliberating over a menu, one billionaire simply held up his menu and said, “Surprise us.”

🛡 Constant Vigilance Against Being Taken Advantage Of

Another lesson I learned is that billionaires are always on guard. Trust comes slowly to them because they’ve often been exploited in the past. To earn their trust and work with them, I initially provided my services for free. This gesture, though not necessary, indicated my commitment to fair dealings. Moreover, gaining the trust of their outer circle—nannies, landscapers, private bankers—proved invaluable. One minor mistake, however, can sever a decade-long relationship. Their loyalty is contingent on mutual benefit and trust.

💰 Understanding Between Possessions and Growth

Billionaires have a peculiar relationship with money. They are frugal and extravagantly spendthrift at the same time. It’s fascinating to see them quibble over a few dollars in some situations, yet splurge millions elsewhere. This behavior underscores their understanding of investment versus expenditure. For instance, a yacht or a luxury property is seen more as an investment in future business opportunities rather than mere lavish spending. These assets enable them to network and finalize deals in exclusive settings.

🔍 Focus on Core Competencies

The most successful individuals excel by focusing on their unique strengths. They delegate other tasks so that their time and effort are concentrated on what they do best. By leveraging others to handle the minutiae, they ensure their day is dedicated to making the most critical decisions. This mindset shift, where you delegate most non-core activities, is a powerful tool for achieving remarkable success.

Advantage of Leveraging

Using other people to leverage work is not just a convenience; it’s a necessity for efficient time management. By outsourcing tasks that don’t demand their unique expertise, billionaires ensure they operate at peak efficiency. To model this, we must focus on high-impact activities and delegate the rest.

🤝 Billionaires Are Just Like Us (Kind of)

Though billionaires face unique challenges, they remain fundamentally human. They have higher quality problems, like dealing with private jet issues, but their emotional responses are relatable. One client, frustrated over a jet’s mechanical issue, wasn’t complaining for sympathy; he was simply addressing a problem. Recognizing this humanity helps in forming genuine connections. If you can solve these high-quality problems effectively, you can become an indispensable part of their network.

Relatability

Helping billionaires with their unique issues provided insight into their lives and enabled me to build trust. By being the problem solver for their high-quality issues, whether it’s a real estate transaction or a private jet snag, you can integrate smoothly into their circle.

Final Thoughts

From these interactions, it’s clear that billionaires’ habits— maximizing time, guarding trust, focusing on core skills, and understanding investments—are lessons anyone can apply for greater efficiency and success. Remember, billionaires are just as human as the rest of us, facing relatable problems but on a different scale. By aligning our behaviors to these principles, we can navigate toward achieving our own significant milestones.

Adopt these strategies, and you’ll be better equipped to achieve your greatest aspirations. What other aspects of billionaire habits intrigue you? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! Don’t forget to share, like, and subscribe for more insightful content.