Oprah Winfrey is probably the 
most successful self-made woman in the World. She is adored by millions all around the globe, she is the most successful talk show host and is worth nearly $3 Billion.
So what are her secrets for success?
Surely she must be doing something that we can all learn from to increase our chances of success?
Without doubt, the quickest route to achieve any goal is to model and learn from people who have already achieved what you want.
And I am sure there are not too many people who wouldn’t enjoy even just a slice of Opera’s fantastic success.
In my series ‘Lessons from Leaders’ I look at the key lessons we can learn from some of the most successful men and women in the World. Let’s dip straight in then shall we?
Lesson 1
Focus on adding value and success will follow naturally.
Oprah has this to say on the matter:
“What I know for sure is that if you want to have success, you can’t make success your goal. The key is not to worry about being successful but to instead work toward being significant – and the success will naturally follow.”
Did you get that bit…. “work toward being significant”.
What a lovely phrase that is. When was the last time you asked yourself the question ‘how can I be more significant?’
Success is the result of adding value to other people’s lives and the more value you add the more that success will follow.
Oprah has done this by being caring, generous, honest, kind and treating people as her equal and that is how she rose to fame and took her show from just a standard talk show, that reports news and stories, to actually connecting with people and making for gripping TV that adds value to its viewers.
It is clear that Oprah has honest values. She wants other people to succeed and people recognise that and as a result they want her to succeed because they genuinely like her.
Can you say the same about yourself?
Are your values and your desires honest? Do you treat people the way you want to be treated? Are your intentions genuine? Or do you have an ulterior motive?
When you start being significant in your life, you will naturally start attracting success and good fortune.
Lesson 2
Read
“Books were my pass to personal freedom. I learned to read at age three, and soon discovered there was a whole world to conquer that went beyond our farm in Mississippi” – Oprah Winfrey
Benjamin Franklin, one of the greatest leaders in history, once said that man can either buy his wisdom or borrow it. By buying it, he pays full price in personal time and treasure. But by borrowing it, he capitalizes on the lessons learned from the failure of others.
Whatever it is you want to achieve in your life, you will undoubtedly find someone in the World who has already done the same or similar and wrote about it.
Earl Nightingale, one of the first and most respected authorities on achieving success stated that if you read for one hour per day then you will be at the top of your field within 3 years and a National authority within 5. From just one hour per day! That is just 4% of your day.
Are you prepared to dedicate one hour per day to becoming the best you can possibly be and being a leader in your field?
It’s not a high price to pay is it?
I have found that many people have a negative attitude towards reading, believing that they are too “busy” and they haven’t got time to sit and relax and read. What rubbish that is!
Not only does reading expand your mind and knowledge, it also provides inspiration and the belief that what you want to achieve is possible. You are conditioning your mind for success.
Overlook this simple lesson at your peril.
Lesson 3
Turn your pain into power.
Oprah has certainly done that. She is open about the abuse she received as a child but she has not let that pain hold her back, she has used it to fuel her passion and drive to make a difference.
Unfortunately pain is our biggest motivator.
There is no bigger motivator than pain and many people are not willing to make any real changes until the pain is unbearable. This is a shame because many people end up in a comfort zone, often for their whole lives.
Are you in a comfort zone? Or are you constantly challenging yourself?
More importantly, do you have people that challenge you?
The most painful experiences in our lives are often our biggest blessings, if we decide to respond to it in a positive way.
That response is your choice.
How do you respond to disappointments? Setbacks? Rejection? Failure?
Do you respond by becoming more determined and turning that pain into your power or do you give up trying so to avoid that painful feeling again?
Whichever you choose, it is your choice. Not always easy I know, but ultimately it is your choice.
So there you have it, 3 powerful lessons we can learn from the brilliant Oprah Winfrey. I hope you have got good value out of this article and put into practise the lessons I have shared.
Be Real – it has worked for Oprah, it will work for you too.
Inspiring you to be the best you can be,
Martin Robert Hall
Peak Performance Coach, Keynote Speaker and Author
If you enjoyed this article then I’m positive you will love my book which is full of lessons and insights we can learn from some of the World’s most successful people. Click the link and check it out!
