I'm a self-made millionaire, and here are the 10 best pieces of advice I can give you about money

About six months ago my wife and I decided to turn our North Georgia summer retreat into our full-time residence.

We decided to make a few changes to the property now that we would be living in it year-round.

As I was getting into my car one morning, three of the workers paused from what they were doing and stared me down.

I stopped and asked if everything was ok and one of the men said, "It's not fair. You have this beautiful home and a nice car while we are stuck doing hard labor for just a little more than minimum wage."

I approached the men and we ended up speaking about building wealth for more than an hour. I shared with them that life wasn't always this good, and at one point I was $50,000 in debt and didn't know how I would climb out of it. The men shook my hand and thanked me for sharing my insights.

Fast forward to this morning and I was again about to get into my car. A man driving a truck down the street stops in front of my house and yells, "Mr. Siebold, I took your advice and started my own company. I have five employees working for me and business is booming. My family and I are experiencing freedom like we never thought possible."

He continued, "Please share your words of wisdom with others."

So moved that this man turned his life around, I'm now going to take his advice and share the takeaways from that conversation six months ago:

1. In a free market economy, anyone can make as much money as they want.

2. Your background, highest level of education, or IQ is irrelevant when it comes to earning money.

3. The fastest way to make money is to solve a problem. The bigger the problem you solve, the more money you make.

4. Don't listen to the naysayers who tell you that life is supposed to be a struggle and that you should settle and be grateful for what you have.

5. Expect to make more money. For this one you have to think big. $100,000, $500,000, or why not $1 million?

6. Lose the fear and scarcity mindset and start seeing money for all the good things: freedom, opportunity, possibility, and abundance.

7. Being rich isn't a privilege. Being rich is a right. If you create massive value for others, you have the right to be as rich as you want.

8. Don't wait for your ship to come in. You're not going to be discovered, saved, or made rich by an outside force. If you want a lot of money, build your own ship. No one is coming to the rescue.

9. Stop worrying about running out of money and focus on how to make more. Constantly worrying about money is no way to live. Dream about money, instead.

10. Stop telling yourself that getting rich is outside of your control. The truth is that making money is an inside job.

Just like the man working at my home six months ago who was frustrated over his finances and held a grudge against the rich, you too have the power to change your financial situation around. Maybe you've been living in debt for years or maybe you've just dreamed of having more; it's all possible if you make the decision and really set your mind to it.

Steve Siebold

10 Skills That Are Hard to Learn But Pay Off Forever

The best things in life may be free, but that doesn't mean they won't take time, sweat, and perseverance to acquire.

That's especially the case when it comes to learning important life skills.

In an effort to ascertain which talents are worth the investment, one Quora reader posed the question: What are the hardest and most useful skills to learn?

We've highlighted our favorite takeaways.

1. Time management

Effective time management is one of the most highly valued skills by employers. While there is no one right way, it's important to find a system that works for you and stick to it, Alina Grzegorzewska explains. 

"The hardest thing to learn for me was how to plan," she writes. "Not to execute what I have planned, but to make so epic a to-do list and to schedule it so thoroughly that I'm really capable of completing all the tasks on the scheduled date."

2. Empathy

"You can be the most disciplined, brilliant, and even wealthy individual in the world, but if you don't care for or empathize with other people, then you are basically nothing but a sociopath," writes Kamia Taylor.

Empathy, as business owner Jane Wurdwand explains, is a fundamental human ability that has too readily been forsworn by modern business.

"Empathy — the ability to feel what others feel — is what makes good sales and service people truly great. Empathy as in team spirit — esprit d'corps — motivates people to try harder. Empathy drives employees to push beyond their own apathy, to go bigger, because they feel something bigger than just a paycheck," she writes.

3. Mastering your sleep

There are so many prescribed sleep hacks out there it's often hard to keep track. But regardless of what you choose, establishing a ritual can help ensure you have restful nights.

Numerous studies show that being consistent with your sleep schedule makes it easier to fall asleep and wake up, and it helps promote better sleep in general.

4. Positive self-talk

"Ultimately it doesn't matter what others think of you," writes Shobhit Singhal, "but what you think of yourself certainly does, and it takes time to build that level of confidence and ability to believe in yourself when nobody else does."

On the other side of positive self-talk is negative self-talk, which Betsy Myers, founding director of The Center for Women and Business at Bentley University, believes can slowly chip away at your confidence.

5. Consistency

Whether you're trying a new exercise routine, studying for the LSATs, or working on an important project, Khaleel Syed writes that consistency is vital to maintaining any kind of success.

People often stop working hard when they reach the top, he explains, but to maintain that top position, they have to work harder and be more consistent in their work.

6. Asking for help

"I once was told in a job interview, 'You can't have this job if you can't ask for help when you need it,'" Louise Christy writes. "Naturally, I said I could. Later, I found out that the previous person with that job had screwed up big-time because he was in over his head but couldn't admit it and didn't ask for help."

She explains that knowing when you need help and then asking for it is surprisingly difficult to learn and do because no one wants to be perceived as weak or incompetent.

But a recent study from the Harvard Business School suggests doing so makes you look more, not less, capable. According to the study authors, when you ask people for advice, you validate their intelligence or expertise, which makes you more likely to win them over.

7. Knowing when to shut up — and actually doing it

"You can't go around whining about every other thing that seems not-so-right to you in this world," writes Roshna Nazir. "Sometimes you just need to shut up."

There are many instances when keeping to yourself is the best course. "When we are angry, upset, agitated, or vexed," writes Anwesha Jana, "we blurt out anything and everything that comes to our mind." And later, you tend to regret it.

Keeping your mouth shut when you're agitated is one of the most valuable skills to learn, and of course, one of the most difficult.

8. Listening

Along with shutting up comes listening, says Richard Careaga.

"Most of us in the workplace are so overwhelmed with things to do — instant messaging, phones ringing. I mean, our brain can only tolerate so much information before it snaps," Nicole Lipkin, author of "What Keeps Leaders Up At Night," previously told Business Insider.

One tip for active listening is repeating back what you heard to the other person. "It makes things so much easier when everyone is on the same page," she said.

9. Minding your business

"It takes ages to learn and master this," writes Aarushi Ruddra.

Sticking your nose into other people's work isn't helpful and wastes time and resources, she says. "You have no right to put forth your two or four cents, even if you are the last righteous person standing."

10. Mastering your thoughts

To do what you want to do and accomplish what you want to accomplish, you need to consciously direct your thinking, writes Mark Givert.

"The challenge is that we are the product of our past experience and all of our thinking is the result of this," he says. "However, the past does not equal the future."

Rachel Gillett

Here's what 13 successful CEOs think their employees should do before they turn 30

Turning 30 can be a turning point in a person’s life, and career.

It’s the point where career goals start setting in and the hunger to land a spot in the corner office increases.

So we asked some CEOs what they would want their employees to have done before they turn the big 3-0.

From saving money to travelling the world, starting your own business and taking risks, here's some advice from CEOs who have done it all before.

Business Insider Australia

Aaron Smith, CEO and founder KX Group.

The first thing I would say is to travel the world. There is nothing more eye-opening than travelling the globe to broaden your thinking and excel your communication skills with other people and cultures. Worldly experience is priceless. It's also about becoming more relatable to people which will only reflect positivity back in the real world. By 25 I had travelled to over 40 countries and had lived overseas for 5 years. It was amazing.

Be selfish, risk everything and live life on the edge. Before you are 30 you have no real responsibilities and possibly no mortgage/family that you need to support. Be daring and risk it all for huge success. You're young, motivated and have plenty of time to regroup if you fail so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. The older you get the more excuses you will find and the more you will regret not having a crack. I lost my life savings on my first business at 18 and succeeded on my second at 26. Fail forward.

Business Insider Australia

Taichi Hoshino, CEO of Monetise.

Build good habits. Whether it's time management, work ethic, setting work/life boundaries, exercising, eating well or being disciplined with your personal finances, habits are your baseline. When unexpected moments interfere in your life, it is long established habits that are your saviour. Form them young and they'll be with you for life.

Jo Burston

Jo Burston, founder and CEO of Inspiring Rare Birds.

Learn how to manage up as well as down. Most people I meet in their 20s are busy fulfilling the notion of managing less skilled colleagues, when the real skill is managing up to more skilled and experienced people. The art of conversation and public speaking will take you everywhere in life.

Find your passion and then aim to be the best on the planet at what you do by having a ferocious hunger for learning. Both formally and through experience.

Find a mentor that has walked the pathway you wish to walk. Then be totally reliable, honest and respectful with your time with them. They learn from you too!

Save money every pay. Learn how to budget and get out of home and stand on your own independent feet. Nobody owes you anything. Lose the sense of entitlement. It's not yours to take.

Start and run a business. No matter how small. If you can learn these skills early, you will learn how to fail with low risk or repercussion. Basic accounting and business skill will support and future endeavours.

Finally, travel and get out of your bubble and get uncomfortable. It will help with acceptance, tolerance, and patience, and show you how incredible our world really is.

Business Insider Australia

Dean Ramler, CEO and co-founder of Milan Direct.

Learn the art of going above and beyond and doing more than what you are currently expected to or paid to do. The typical employee does the old 5 o'clock shuffle because that is when the typical work day ends. Everyone has the right to do this. Yet there are a select few high achievers who understand the value of going above and beyond their current pay grade and always look to provide the most service to the company, often staying back as late as I do.

As a CEO you come to rely on the select few who really go above and beyond, it becomes a habit to call on these high achievers to assist in core tasks when everyone else has left for the day. It is no surprise that these same people end up becoming the senior managers of the company, and are the most compensated with promotions and pay rises.

Business Insider Australia

Philip Weinman, CEO of Locomote.

Start your own business while you still live at home. It’s a good time to experiment with a business idea, while you don’t have any real expenses. Find a mentor or someone you that you trust to give you advice - outside of family - who has no financial agenda.

You will learn from your mistakes during this time, and if you decide that you want to move into a corporate environment, you'll already know what works and what doesn’t. Along with business experience, you'll learn to make and stand by your decisions - a trait that is highly regarded by Locomote.

Christian Mischler, COO, CMO and co-founder of Hotel Quickly.

Travel the world! Explore new regions and cultures, it creates independence and gives you experience that will have lastingly positive effect on the rest of your life.

Business Insider Australia

John Winning, CEO and founder of The Winning Group.

Get as much experience as you can - it's important to have a good mix of valuable life and work experience. Whether it's a part time job and/or work experience at school, try to immerse yourself in different industries and roles within a business. I drove trucks, worked in a warehouse, did door-to-door and in-store sales.

Be sure to gain a further education that interests you. It doesn't have to be university, even if it's just reading books it's great to have an interest in learning, and curiosity is an amazing motivator. I never attended university after school however the years that followed shaped how I approach my work and how my business operates. From practical work experience within the retail industry, to personal achievements such as competing in many sailing championships and eventually winning a world title, every experience has enriched my thinking and ability to tackle obstacles and grapple opportunities in business.

Business Insider Australia

Zach Johnson, CEO of atmail.com

Having worn a mohawk in a variety of colours, scuba dived, completed a tour of duty with the US Army and lived in Germany, among many other crazy things, the one sage piece of advise Johnson has is: 'Live as much as you can and embrace all experiences as they come—fully and completely.'

Charlie Wood, country manager for Dropbox.

I'd recommend people should get a few years experience at an established multi-national during their early 20s. The experience people will gain at these companies will set them up nicely for future endeavours. Those who are entrepreneurial in nature, should follow their dreams and bring their ideas to life by starting something on their own or with a team. One of the most important things someone should do before they reach 30 is to travel, they will meet new people and will create new adventures! These experiences will broaden the mindset of any individual to help set them up for their 30s.

Business Insider Australia

Bevan Nel, MD of Helping.

Be disciplined in your management of money, keep a budget...and stick to it!

Secondly, if you're going to take a business risk, do it before you're married with kids and mortgage. You'll be more scared and less gutsy once you have a family and advancing and progression is important early on in your career. Lastly, it's important to keep in touch with past business associates.

Keep business cards, make a spreadsheet, do whatever it is to keep your contact list ongoing and up to date. Networking is key and you never know when you might need to reach out to someone.

From a non business perspective...travel. travel. travel! That's what I always tell anyone who is young. Travelling is great for developing confidence, meet business contacts and also a great way to refresh and restart your body and mind.

Business Insider Australia

Kevin Lynch, Chief Marketing Officer at Open Colleges.

#1: Learn from your team: As we progress through our careers in our 20s, we need to learn not just from those above us, but also from our broader team. This can ensure that you build a strong foundation by your 30s.

I learn most from my team, the people who surround me. These are the people who make the magic happen, they are far smarter than I am. Our people are what makes us. We aim to ensure that we continue to build on the terrific culture here and ensure it is a great place to work for our staff where people believe in the company’s mission of changing lives through education.

Levi Aron, GM of Yumtable.

Seize the moment, set personal goals early in the game, keep them in check and strive to achieve or surpass those goals. Always remember to reward yourself as you reach each milestone. It's great for personal recognition. Work hard to push boundaries but don't forget to smell the roses every now and then. Remember, no goals = no drive = mediocre life, and who rates that?

Business Insider Australia

Nicholas Smedley, MD of Steller.

As we are in the real estate game I think it is important that our employees understand the market. There is no better way than getting into the property market yourself.

My advice would be to start saving as early as you can - whether that is through shares or a varied investment portfolio. There is nothing better than compound interest. This gets you into the frame of mind of saving and buying your first property before 30 would be a great start. 

Sarah  Kimmorley

7 things everyone should start doing in their 30s

The older you get, the harder it is to change your habits.

But in your 30s, there's still time to adopt new, positive behaviors.

To help you pinpoint the changes you'll want to make, we consulted recent Quora threads on this critical decade and highlighted the most compelling responses.

Read on for the best ideas.

1. Start laughing at yourself.

"Laugh at yourself, laugh at the absurdity of life, laugh at the goodness and the badness of every situation," writes Quora user Cyndi Perlman Fink.

Being able to find humor in your own struggles may be important for your overall health and happiness. Research suggests that people who are able to laugh at themselves are generally more cheerful.

2. Start appreciating your family and friends.

In your 20s, you may be so busy getting an education and launching your career that family and friends fall by the wayside. Your 30s are a good time to get back in touch and remember how much you love spending time with them.

As for family, "if you can find a way to make a connection with them, you may find some things in common with them, more than you expect," says Robert Walker.

And as for friends, Nan Waldman says: "Nurture them. Laugh with them. Be silly too. Contribute to their survival and enjoyment of life. Take the time every week to be in touch."

3. Start keeping a journal.

"Journal your life! Your written records will entertain and endear in your future," writes Mark Crawley.

You don't necessarily have to keep a secret notebook under your bed — a digital photo album with captions works just as well.

Whithings

It's important to stick to a healthy weight in your 30s.

4. Start maintaining a healthy weight.

Several Quora users noted the importance of maintaining a healthy weight in your 30s. "Keep your weight at a normal level that's good for your body," writes Fink.

To do that, it's important to stay active and eat right. A growing body of research suggests that if you're looking to lose weight, your diet makes more of a difference than your exercise habits.

5. Start saving money.

One of the most important financial habits to start practicing in your 30s is spending less than you earn. "Make it a habit to live below your means," writes David Leon. "I know way too many people who live hand to mouth at 50 due to excessive spending at 30."

Bonus: If you start saving for retirement early, you'll reap the amazing benefits of compound interest.

6. Start chasing a big goal.

Up till now, you may have only dreamed about starting a family, buying a house, or earning an advanced degree. Now's the time to go for it.

"It's easy to put things off," says Bill Karwin. "But it's really true that time starts accelerating as you enter your 30s, and it keeps accelerating. The time that you'll get around to those dreams should be now."

7. Start learning from your mistakes.

You probably made plenty of mistakes in your 20s. That's OK — as long as you grow from your experiences. That requires accepting responsibility for what went wrong and understanding why it went wrong.

After all, as Amanda Frisk says, "everything in life is a way for us to learn, to be better."

Shana  Lebowitz

What I Do When I Feel Like Giving Up

I am struggling today. If you’ve ever struggled to be consistent with something you care about, maybe my struggle with resonate with you too.

It has been 939 days since November 12, 2012. That’s the date when I first published an article on JamesClear.com and it’s almost 2 years and 7 months ago. During these 939 mostly glorious, sometimes frustrating days, I have written a new post every Monday and Thursday. Week after week. Month after month. Year after year.

But today? Well, today I am struggling. Today, I don’t feel like writing. Today, I don’t feel like sticking to the routine. Today, I don’t feel like I have any great ideas and I don’t feel like I have enough time to make the good ideas great. Today, I feel like giving up.

Research from the University of Pennsylvania has shown that grit is the characteristic linked most closely to success. I could use some grit today.

Related: Stop Thinking and Start Doing: The Power of Practicing More

Here’s what I try to remind myself of when I feel like giving up…

Your Mind is a Suggestion Engine

Consider every thought you have as a suggestion, not an order. Right now, my mind is suggesting that I feel tired. It is suggesting that I give up. It is suggesting that I take an easier path.

If I pause for a moment, however, I can discover new suggestions. My mind is also suggesting that I will feel very good about accomplishing this work once it is done. It is suggesting that I will respect the identity I am building when I stick to the schedule. It is suggesting that I have the ability to finish this task, even when I don’t feel like.

Remember, none of these suggestions are orders. They are merely options. I have the power to choose which option I follow. 

Discomfort Is Temporary

Relative to the time in your normal day or week, nearly any habit you perform is over quickly. Your workout will be finished in an hour or two. Your report will be typed to completion by tomorrow morning. This article will be finished in just a moment.

Life is easier now than it has ever been. 300 years ago, if you didn’t kill your own food and build your own house, you would die. Today, we whine about forgetting our iPhone charger.

Maintain perspective. Your life is good and your discomfort is temporary. Step into this moment of discomfort and let it strengthen you.

Related: This One Strategy Can Help You Stick With Your Good Habits Every Day

You Will Never Regret Good Work Once It is Done

Theodore Roosevelt famously said, “Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” So often it seems that we want to work easily at work worth doing. We want our work to be helpful and respected, but we do not want to struggle through our work. We want our stomachs to be flat and our arms to be strong, but we do not want to grind through another workout. We want the final result, but not the failed attempts that precede it. We want the gold, but not the grind.

Anyone can want a gold medal. Few people want to train like an Olympian.

And yet, despite our resistance to it, I have never found myself feeling worse after the hard work was done. There have been days when it was damn hard to start, but it was always worth finishing. Sometimes, the simple act of showing up and having the courage to do the work, even in an average manner, is a victory worth celebrating.

This Is Life

Life is a constant balance between giving into the ease of distraction or overcoming the pain of discipline. It is not an exaggeration to say that our lives and our identities are defined in this delicate balance. What is life, if not the sum of a hundred thousand daily battles and tiny decisions to either gut it out or give it up?

This moment when you don’t feel like doing the work? This is not a moment to be thrown away. This is not a dress rehearsal. This moment is your life as much as any other moment. Spend it in a way that will make you proud.

Let the World Decide

So, what do I do when I feel like giving up? I show up.

Do I show up at my best? I doubt it. But my job isn’t to judge how good or how bad I am.

My job is to do the work and let the world decide.

For useful ideas on improving your mental and physical performance, join his free weekly newsletter.

James Clear

The 10 Biggest Productivity Killers and How to Overcome Them

Procrastination is no one's friend. While some people are more prone to it than others, even those who strive to be as focused and productive as possible can find themselves navigating an obstacle course of workplace distractions.

Job site CareerBuilder recently surveyed more than 2,000 hiring managers to identify the most significant office productivity killers. The results include everything from trying to get your inbox down to the mythical zero to engaging with overly chatty colleagues.

Read on for more about how to stop those time traps in their tracks.

Related: 5 Strategies to Build a Fun Work Culture That's Also Productive

10. Sitting in a cubicle

Image credit: Shutterstock

Working in a cubicle can feel downright claustrophobic. If you start to feel like the walls are closing in a bit, get up and go for a walk. Go around the block and get some sunshine or if you are working on deadline, even just a lap around the office can do you some good.
Read more: How a Two-Minute Stroll Around the Office Can Save Your Life

9. Noisy co-workers

Image credit: Shutterstock

Though space can be limited, managers can help their employees by being flexible. Not everyone can work at the highest level in an open floor plan, so set aside private spaces or conference rooms for your colleagues to pop into. If they are most productive working part of the week remotely or working out of the coffee shop downstairs, let them try it out. And if all else fails, there are always noise-cancelling headphones.
Read more: 6 Inexpensive Ways to Help Employees Escape the Cubicle Crush

8. Smoke breaks/snack breaks

Image credit: Shutterstock

Stepping out to puff a cigarette may feel like a release, but it can also disrupt your flow. It's the same with raiding the snack table or fridge – the procrastinator's favorite pastime. This isn't to say you shouldn't be snacking, but make sure trips to the kitchen aren't just a way of you putting off work. Also, since what you choose can affect your energy, be sure to snack smart.
Read more: 10 High Impact Foods That Will Boost Your Energy and Make It Last

7. Meetings

Image credit: Pixabay

If it feels like your meetings aren't getting you anywhere, stop and reassess. Before any meeting, make certain that everyone who is involved is in the know. Be certain what you need to discuss and accomplish going in and make sure your colleagues feel comfortable asking questions and contributing ideas. Start and end the meeting on time and make sure you finish the meeting with an actionable plan.
Read more: 5 Ways to Host Better Meetings

6. Co-worker chitchat

Image credit: Shutterstock

It's good that you enjoy chatting with your coworkers. In many cases, you spend more of your time with them than your friends and family. Catching up on the weekend while waiting for the coffee maker or taking a few minutes to talk about a favorite TV show or book or ask after a family member is fine. Cracking jokes can make a time-intensive project go a little faster. Just make sure you aren't blabbing too much.
Read more: 4 Signs You Talk Too Much at the Office

5. Email

Image credit: Pixabay

We could all be better at emailing. The time we spent managing our inboxes could certainly be used for other more pressing activities. But how can we make the seemingly insurmountable daily task work for us? You can set aside the same amount of time every day to focus just on responding to e-mail. In writing your emails, being brief and direct is best. And unsubscribe to any newsletters or spam mail that just clogs your inbox. And if the request is a small one, it might just make sense to walk over and talk to your colleague.
Read more: 7 Ways to Detox Your Inbox

4. Social media

Image credit: Pixabay

Social media is fun and can be a great way to connect with other people in your industry, but there is a time and a place for it. If you're working on a project, ask yourself whether it's really necessary that you be perusing your sorority sister's birthday photos on the side. (The answer is likely no.)  For those who can't help themselves, perhaps a site blocker is necessary.
Read more: One Way to Beat Bad Online Habits and Be More Productive

3. Gossip

Image credit: Shutterstock

Office gossip can be a real drain on morale; no one wants to come to work and feel like they are back in high school. Good communication starts at the top. As an employer, be transparent about what's happening with your company and any changes that could be afoot to avoid panic or misinformation.
Read more: How to Prevent Office Gossip From Ruining Your Business

2. The Internet

Image credit: Pixabay

If you find yourself clearing your search history more than a few times during the course of the work week, you might want to rethink how you're using your work computer. Save the online shopping or paying your credit card for your personal time. For managers, depending on the needs of your business, you can always consider blocking sites that could be distracting or harmful, but you must be upfront about your rationale. You can also ask that your employees keep the personal errands to the lunch hour. Just make sure you're clear and consistent in your expectations.
Read more: Distracted and Overwhelmed Employees Are Costing You Big. Try These 3 Fixes.

1. Cell phones/texting

Image credit: Wilfred Iven | Flickr

Researchers have actually found that people get legitimately anxious if they are away from their phones for too long, so it's no wonder that this one tops the list. What can you do during the workday to cut down on the habit and restore your focus? Etiquette expert and founder ofNational Cell Phone Courtesy Month Jacqueline Whitmore says if a personal call is truly urgent, step away to a more private space and address the issue without resorting to "cell yell." You can also disable your push notifications on your phone so it doesn't buzz every time you get a retweet or “like” on Facebook. And if a project requires all your attention, switch it off or put it in another room.

Nina  Zipkin