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Bill Gates attributes his success to a single word: Focus. For decades, he focused maniacally on the software industry, ignoring other distractions. But he also emphasizes the importance of curiosity. He is a famous voracious reader, consuming roughly 50 books a year to broaden his understanding of the world. Gates defines success not by wealth—which he intends to give away—but by the impact one has on the world and the quality of one's relationships. 'It's fine to celebrate success,' he says, 'but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure. '
"In business, the idea of measuring what you are doing, picking the measurements that count like customer satisfaction and performance... you thrive on that."
"I chose a path and I was passionate about it. I was very lucky to have found that early."
"Our success has really been based on partnerships from the very beginning."
"The most successful people are those who find a way to make their work serve others."
"I definitely don’t think that giving kids a lot of money is good for them. It distorts anything they might do in creating their own path."
"I didn't start Microsoft to get rich. I started it because I thought software was the most interesting thing in the world."
"Don't compare yourself with anyone in this world... if you do so, you are insulting yourself."
"To win big, you sometimes have to take big risks."
"I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time. But many others were also in the same place. The difference was that I took action."
"Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose."
"I studied everything but never topped. But today the toppers of the best universities are my employees."
"I was very lucky that I grew up at a time when computers were just becoming personal."
"The general idea of the rich giving their money away to help others is a great thing."
"I was very lucky to be in the right place at the right time. But many others were also in the same place. The difference was that I had a passion for what I was doing."
"Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one."
"Patience is a key element of success."
"Execution is the key to everything. You can have the best idea in the world, but if you don't execute, it doesn't matter."
"It's fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure."
"I don't think I'm that much smarter than other people, but I was willing to work harder at a young age."
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