Two of the wealthiest entrepreneurs in the world apply this rule to continue innovating and stay active.
Always learning and staying ahead is a powerful tool for all professions: from doctors to plumbers or teachers, everyone must be aware of the latest developments, but it’s not always easy.
Innovating requires study, and studying becomes challenging in an era where it feels like there’s never enough time. Elon Musk and Bill Gates use the method called the “5-hour rule,” which doesn’t require too much time but allows, for example, diving into the digital world or learning about new tools that will keep you updated.
The ‘5-Hour Rule’ is a concept popularized by speaker and author Michael Simmons. This principle is rooted in the notion that dedicating at least one hour each day, or five hours per week, to continuous education and learning can significantly impact an individual’s personal and professional development.
A week consists of 168 hours. The “5-hour rule” suggests setting aside five hours a week for learning, studying, or simply reading about a topic.
Reading is the key: reading not only helps organize thoughts but also teaches. Once the topic is read, reflection is necessary. All of this helps develop creativity, crucial for solving complex problems that seem unsolvable. And those who read, study, and keep their minds active increase productivity and self-confidence.
How to apply it
These five hours should have a designated day and time. For example, reading on Saturday mornings and another day of the week for two and a half hours, focusing on a specific topic. Believe it or not, organizing yourself helps reduce stress, provides clear objectives, and sets a challenge.
Challenges are essential for an active mind. The result is evident: both magnates top the Forbes list of billionaires, but that’s not all. What has kept them at the forefront is innovating, inventing, proposing disruptive solutions, and always staying one step ahead of trends.
This year, Musk ranked second with $195 billion in his possession. Meanwhile, Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft and American philanthropist, ranks seventh on the list with a net worth of $128 billion.