Podcasts > The Mel Robbins Podcast > Simple Life Hacks That Will Change Your Future (Steal These Habits From Billionaires)

Simple Life Hacks That Will Change Your Future (Steal These Habits From Billionaires)

By Stitcher

In this episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, Robbins highlights habits of billionaires and elite performers that contribute to their success. She shares how consistent reading helps build expansive knowledge and enhances decision-making abilities, drawing on the example of Warren Buffett's daily reading regimen.

The episode also explores the importance of capturing creative inspiration as it strikes by maintaining dedicated systems, a practice employed by artists like Taylor Swift. Additionally, Robbins discusses the role of sufficient sleep in sustaining high performance and enabling mental recovery, citing the sleep routines of athletes like LeBron James.

Listen to the original

Simple Life Hacks That Will Change Your Future (Steal These Habits From Billionaires)

This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Sep 30, 2024 episode of the The Mel Robbins Podcast

Sign up for Shortform to access the whole episode summary along with additional materials like counterarguments and context.

Simple Life Hacks That Will Change Your Future (Steal These Habits From Billionaires)

1-Page Summary

Developing Knowledge Through Reading

Mel Robbins notes that billionaires like Warren Buffett dedicate significant time each day to reading diverse materials like newspapers, financial reports, and more. Buffett spends 5-6 hours reading daily, allowing him to build a vast knowledge repository that enables rapid decision-making as per Robbins's research. This consistent reading builds mental "filters" that aid efficient information processing.

Capturing Creative Inspiration

Mel Robbins highlights how creatives like Taylor Swift document flashes of inspiration immediately. Swift maintains a digital "notepad" on her phone, capturing lyrics and ideas as they occur to review later when creating music. Video game designers and others similarly record ideas in the moment to prevent their loss. Robbins encourages establishing dedicated systems to transform momentary inspiration into creative works.

Prioritizing Sleep for Recovery

Top performers like LeBron James prioritize sleep for sustained high performance as per Mel Robbins's observations. James aims for 8 hours nightly and even returns to bed for additional sleep after morning activities, recognizing sleep's restorative benefits. Sufficient sleep allows the body and mind to recharge and consolidate learning, preparing for new demands. Robbins notes how billionaires and elite achievers intentionally structure routines to ensure adequate sleep.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While reading is beneficial, not everyone may have the luxury of dedicating 5-6 hours daily to it due to varying life and work commitments.
  • Rapid decision-making is not solely a function of knowledge accumulation; intuition and experience also play significant roles.
  • Mental "filters" developed through reading are subjective and can sometimes lead to confirmation bias or echo chambers if not diversified.
  • Immediate documentation of inspiration, while useful, may not always be practical or necessary for all creatives; some may benefit from letting ideas marinate.
  • Digital notepads are convenient, but they may not always be the best medium for capturing ideas for everyone; some may prefer traditional pen and paper.
  • The process of transforming inspiration into creative works is highly individual, and not all dedicated systems may work for every individual.
  • While 8 hours of sleep might be ideal for some like LeBron James, sleep needs can vary by individual, and some may require more or less than 8 hours.
  • The emphasis on sleep for high performance may not acknowledge the full spectrum of factors that contribute to success, such as genetics, diet, and overall lifestyle.
  • Structuring routines for adequate sleep is important, but rigid routines may not be feasible or beneficial for everyone, as flexibility can also be key to managing stress and promoting well-being.

Actionables

  • You can integrate reading into your daily routine by setting themed reading days, such as "Finance Fridays" or "Tech Tuesdays," to diversify your knowledge base. This approach ensures you cover a variety of subjects systematically, making it easier to allocate time and stay committed to consistent learning.
  • Create a personal "idea bank" using a dedicated email address where you send yourself quick notes or voice recordings whenever inspiration strikes. This method centralizes your creative thoughts and makes them easily searchable, which is especially useful if you're not inclined to use apps or carry a notepad.
  • To prioritize sleep, start a "sleep club" with friends or family where you hold each other accountable for getting 8 hours of sleep. You could use a shared tracking sheet or a group chat to check in each morning, turning sleep into a shared goal and adding a social incentive to stick to a healthy sleep routine.

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free
Simple Life Hacks That Will Change Your Future (Steal These Habits From Billionaires)

Developing knowledge and expertise through dedicated reading and research

Mel Robbins examined the habits of billionaires like Warren Buffett and found that a significant part of their success comes from a disciplined approach to reading and learning, which builds a deep repository of knowledge for efficient decision-making.

Billionaires like Warren Buffett prioritize and dedicate significant time each day to reading and learning, building a vast repository of knowledge that enables them to quickly process and evaluate new information.

Mel Robbins discusses her intrigue in the habits of billionaires after coming across a YouTube video on the topic. She shares the key to success for individuals like Warren Buffett lies in their dedication to learning through reading every day.

Buffett spends 5-6 hours per day reading newspapers, magazines, financial reports, and other materials, allowing him to develop deep expertise and make rapid decisions.

Warren Buffett, known for his investment acumen, attributes his decision-making ability to his intensive reading routine. He spends five to six hours daily consuming a diverse range of materials—from newspapers and magazines to financial documents like 10Ks and annual reports—which enables him to decide within minutes whether an investment opportunity is worthwhile.

Consistent reading and learning builds "filters" in the mind that help process information efficiently, a skill that benefits billionaires in their decision-making.

Robbins emphasizes that the consistent habit of reading and learning cultivates mental "filters" that aid in quickly processing vast amounts of information. Buffett's ability to make swift investment choices is a result of the gradual accumulation of knowledge sifted through these filters acquired from years of daily reading.

Dedicating time daily to reading and learning is a free, accessible habit that can help anyone develop greater expertise and sharpen their decision-making abilities.

Throughout her 14 years of research in psychology, happiness, and human behavior, Robbins has built a da ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

Registered users get access to the Full Podcast Summary and Additional Materials. It’s easy and free!
Start your free trial today

Developing knowledge and expertise through dedicated reading and research

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While dedicated reading is beneficial, not everyone may have the luxury of spending 5-6 hours per day on this activity due to differing life circumstances such as work, family, and other commitments.
  • The assumption that reading alone leads to success may overlook other critical factors such as access to capital, networking opportunities, and innate talent.
  • The effectiveness of reading and learning as a habit can vary greatly depending on the individual's learning style; some may benefit more from hands-on experience or visual and auditory learning methods.
  • The idea of building mental "filters" through reading presupposes that all information consumed is accurate and valuable, which may not always be the case given the prevalence of misinformation.
  • The narrative may inadvertently promote a one-size-fits-all approach to success, ignoring the diverse paths and strategies that different successful individuals have used.
  • Access to reading materials might be free, but the ability to understand and synthesize complex information often requires ...

Actionables

  • You can create a personalized learning dashboard using a simple spreadsheet to track your daily reading and learning activities. Start by listing the types of materials you want to read, such as articles, books, or reports, and allocate time slots for each. Update the spreadsheet with what you've read and key takeaways, which will help you monitor your progress and ensure a balanced intake of information.
  • Develop a habit of writing one-page summaries for every piece of significant content you consume. This could be a complex article, a chapter of a book, or a financial report. The act of summarizing forces you to distill the information, which enhances understanding and retention, and over time, you'll build a personal knowledge bank that you can refer back to for decision-making. ...

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free
Simple Life Hacks That Will Change Your Future (Steal These Habits From Billionaires)

Capturing and organizing creative ideas and inspiration

From Taylor Swift to video game designers, successful creatives make it a practice to document their flashes of inspiration, building a repository of ideas that can be developed into full-fledged creative work.

Successful creatives like Taylor Swift make a habit of immediately documenting ideas and sparks of inspiration that come to them, building a database of creative material to draw from.

Mel Robbins highlights Taylor Swift as an example of a successful individual who makes a habit of documenting creative ideas. Swift says that when she's prewriting, she constantly notes down lyrical ideas and observations in a digital notepad on her phone, even when she's not actively working on an album. Swift explains how she wrote the chorus for "Blank Space" by reviewing her collected lyrical ideas and selecting lines that fit the song's concept.

Melissa Robbins confirms that Swift maintains an ongoing digital "notepad" to ensure no insightful or lyrical idea slips away. This systematic capture of creativity allows Swift to revisit her ideas later, proving their worth and providing material to develop when crafting music.

Swift maintains an ongoing digital "notepad" to capture insights and lyrical ideas as they occur, preventing them from being forgotten.

Taylor Swift's habit of recording spontaneous ideas validates their importance. She discusses her process, illustrating how, when writing "Blank Space," she combed through her past year's notes for phrases aligning with the song's dramatized, luxurious imagery. This practice enables her not to lose potential "gold nuggets" of creativity that surface arbitrarily.

This habit of quickly recording ideas validates their value and allows Swift to later review and develop them further when crafting her music.

The habit of immediate documentation is not exclusive to music artists. Segaru Miyamoto, the video game designer, regularly walks through city environments, drawing inspiration for his game worlds and characters. Similarly, Dr. Tali Sharot emphasizes the need for varied experiences—such as traveling new routes or meeting diverse people—to avoid routine-induced stagnation and foster creativity.

Mel Robbins underscores capturing ideas instantaneously to prevent them from fading away. This applies to Swift's method of transcribing ideas and ensuring a lasting library is in place for ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

Registered users get access to the Full Podcast Summary and Additional Materials. It’s easy and free!
Start your free trial today

Capturing and organizing creative ideas and inspiration

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • In the context of Taylor Swift's creative process, "prewriting" involves the initial stage where she gathers and records various lyrical ideas and observations before formally starting to compose a song. This phase allows Swift to capture spontaneous inspirations and concepts that she can later draw from when crafting her music. By consistently documenting these ideas during prewriting, Swift builds a reservoir of creative material that she can revisit and develop into complete songs. This proactive approach to capturing ideas early on helps Swift maintain a steady flow of creativity and ensures that valuable insights are not lost or forgotten.
  • Taylor Swift selects and uses her collected lyrical ideas by reviewing her notes for phrases that align with the concept of the song she is working on. She maintains a digital notepad to capture insights and lyrical ideas as they occur, preventing them from being forgotten. Swift combs through her past notes to find "gold nuggets" of creativity that fit the theme of her music. This practice allows her to revisit and develop these ideas further when crafting her songs.
  • In the context of creativity, "gold nuggets" are metaphorical representations of valuable and unique ideas or insights that have the potential to significantly contribute to the creative process. Just like how a gold nugget is a precious find in mining, these creative "gold nuggets" are considered rare and valuable inspirations that can elevate a project or work of art. They symbolize the essence of creativity that is original, impactful, and worth exploring further. The term emphasizes the importance of recognizing and cherishing these special moments of inspiration that can lead to exceptional creative outcomes.
  • Mel Robbins is a motivational speaker and author known for her advice on personal development and productivity. In the context of the text, she is referenced for her insights on capturing and organizing creative ideas to enhance the creative process. Robbins' suggestions emphasize the importance of documenting ideas promptly to prevent them from being forgotten and to build a valuable resource for creativity. Her strategies include creating systems, like digital notepads or dedicated spaces, to capture and develop creative inspirations effectively.
  • Routine-induced stagnation refers to a state where engaging in repetitive or monotonous activities can limit creativity by reducing exposure to new stimuli and experiences. When individuals stick to familiar patterns without seeking novel experiences, their minds may become complacent, hindering the generation of fresh ideas. To combat this stagnation, experts recommend breaking routines, exploring new environments, and engaging in diverse activities to stimulate creativity and foster innovation. Embracing variety and spontaneity can help prevent creative stagnation and encourage a more dynamic and inspired mindset.
  • The suggestion of adopting habits to jolt creativity involves engaging in activities like exploring new environments, meeting diverse people, or working in different settings to stimulate fresh ideas and prevent cre ...

Counterarguments

  • While documenting ideas like Taylor Swift does can be beneficial, not all creatives work best with immediate documentation; some may find that this interrupts their creative flow or that ideas develop better when left to simmer in the subconscious.
  • The effectiveness of a digital notepad or any other system of capturing ideas can vary greatly between individuals; what works for one person may not work for another due to different cognitive styles and preferences.
  • The assumption that reviewing and selecting past ideas will always lead to successful creative work may not hold true for everyone; some may find that forced connections between past ideas and current projects can feel contrived or stifle creativity.
  • The idea that varied experiences inherently foster creativity could be challenged by pointing out that routine and familiarity can also breed deep insights and creativity within a well-understood context.
  • The suggestion to change environments to boost creativity, such as Mel Robbins's advice, might not be feasible for everyone due to personal circumstances, financial constraints, or other commitments.
  • Renting a hotel room like Maya Angelou or visiting a coffee shop regularly as Christopher Robbins does implies a level of financial stability and lifestyle flexibility that may not be accessible to all aspiring creatives.
  • The notion that all ideas have ...

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free
Simple Life Hacks That Will Change Your Future (Steal These Habits From Billionaires)

Prioritizing physical and mental recovery through sleep

Mel Robbins highlights the importance of sleep in the routines of top performers like LeBron James, emphasizing it as a foundational habit for sustained high-level performance.

Top performers like LeBron James recognize the critical importance of prioritizing sleep as a foundational habit for sustained high-level performance.

LeBron James values sleep highly, recognizing its restorative benefits. Robbins notes that he aims for a minimum of 8 hours of sleep per night. James’s commitment to sleep has him even return to bed for additional sleep after early-morning activities. He exemplifies how billionaires and elite performers intentionally structure their schedules to ensure ample sleep. For instance, James slept from midnight to 8 a.m., then returned to sleep from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. after breakfast, showing a disciplined and structured sleep routine that prioritizes rest.

James aims for a minimum of 8 hours of sleep per night, and will even return to bed for additional sleep after early-morning activities, understanding sleep's restorative benefits.

Mel Robbins emphasizes the point by mentioning that James goes back to bed if he doesn’t get his targeted eight hours, indicating a deliberate effort to ensure his body gets the rest it needs.

Sufficient, high-quality sleep allows the body and mind to recharge, consolidate learning, and prepare for the demands of the next day.

Robbins adds that a full night’s sleep helps the body recover from stress and illness and allows the brain to consolidate all t ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

Registered users get access to the Full Podcast Summary and Additional Materials. It’s easy and free!
Start your free trial today

Prioritizing physical and mental recovery through sleep

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While sleep is undoubtedly important, the amount needed can vary greatly from person to person, and not everyone may require a full 8 hours to function optimally.
  • Some research suggests that too much sleep on a regular basis can be just as detrimental as too little sleep, potentially leading to health issues such as heart disease or diabetes.
  • The strict sleep schedule of elite performers like LeBron James may not be practical or achievable for individuals with different lifestyles, jobs, or family responsibilities.
  • There are other factors besides sleep that contribute to high-level performance, such as diet, exercise, genetics, and mental health strategies, which might be equally important.
  • The emphasis on sleep as a "super power habit" could inadvertently contribute to stress or anxiety about sleep, which can be counterproductive and lead to sleep-related issues like insomnia.
  • The routines of billionaires and elite athletes may not be directly applicable to the general population due to ...

Actionables

  • You can create a sleep sanctuary by optimizing your bedroom environment for restfulness, such as using blackout curtains, a white noise machine, and keeping the temperature cool.
    • Making your bedroom exclusively for sleep and relaxation can signal to your brain that it's time to wind down. For example, remove work materials, electronics, and other distractions from the space to strengthen the association between your bedroom and sleep.
  • Experiment with a personalized sleep schedule by tracking your sleep patterns and adjusting your bedtime to find your optimal sleep duration.
    • Use a sleep tracking app or journal to monitor how different bedtimes affect your energy levels and performance the next day. This can help you discover the right amount of sleep you need to feel your best, which might be more or less than the standard 8 hours.
  • Integrate a wind-d ...

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free

Create Summaries for anything on the web

Download the Shortform Chrome extension for your browser

Shortform Extension CTA