Brief Summary
Marina, drawing from her decade in Silicon Valley, shares ten rules for success based on the habits and behaviors of highly successful individuals. These rules emphasize the importance of helping others, consistent effort over time, separating personal identity from work, kindness, honesty, perseverance, reinvention, dedication, ambition, and networking. The key takeaway is that success isn't solely about talent but also about cultivating specific behaviors and mindsets that create opportunities and foster meaningful connections.
- Help others without expecting immediate returns.
- Commit to consistent work in your chosen field for at least five years.
- Separate your personal worth from your professional successes and failures.
- Practice kindness in all interactions.
- Be honest and own your mistakes.
- Persevere in your industry despite challenges.
- Continuously reinvent yourself and your approach.
- Give 100% to every task and commitment.
- Be ambitious and envision yourself as a leader.
- Prioritize networking and building genuine connections.
The beginning
Marina introduces the video by stating that she will share the habits and behaviors of successful people she has met during her 10 years in Silicon Valley. She emphasizes that success is not about extreme measures like waking up early or constant hustling, but rather about implementing specific, easy-to-follow habits. She shares an anecdote about a celebrity lawyer who attributes success to luck, but also emphasizes that individuals must actively create conditions for luck to occur by adopting the principles discussed in the video. The video aims to encourage those who don't consider themselves exceptionally talented, highlighting that talent isn't the sole determinant of success.
Rule №1
The first rule is to help others without expecting a return. Marina observed that in the US, particularly in Silicon Valley, there's a strong culture of freely helping others. She recounts her experience of asking for introductions and being surprised that people readily assisted without expecting anything in return. She emphasizes the importance of being open to helping others, sharing contacts, resources, and knowledge. This approach can lead to unexpected opportunities and deals, as others notice and appreciate your value.
Rule №2
Rule number two is that success often comes after five years of consistent work. Marina shares that many people in the industry have told her that consistent effort over a period of five years tends to yield significant results. She reflects on her own experiences, noting that major milestones in her career, such as raising venture capital for Lingua Trip and becoming the first creator to raise a venture round, occurred after several years of dedicated work. To sustain this consistent effort, it's crucial to find a way to enjoy the work and create a lifestyle and schedule that supports it.
Rule №3
The third rule involves separating your work from your personal identity. Marina admits that she struggles with this, as she often equates her self-worth with the success or failure of her work. She emphasizes that failures at work do not equate to personal failures and that disconnecting your personality from your work provides the energy to persevere. She suggests separating herself into three professional personas: Marina the entrepreneur, Marina the producer, and Marina the actress. This separation allows her to receive feedback on specific roles without it affecting her personal sense of self-worth.
Rule №4
Rule number four is to be kind to everyone. Marina shares a story about Carly Kloss, who would bring cookies to her agency every Friday. This act of kindness helped her career. She emphasizes that people prefer to work with those who are respectful, skilled, and pleasant to be around. If you aspire to build something significant, it's essential to treat people well, as even small acts of unkindness can have negative consequences.
Rule №5
The fifth rule is to own your mistakes and tell the truth. Marina discusses advice from PR agencies, noting that while some suggest denying everything, acknowledging mistakes and explaining your side of the story is more effective in the long run. Admitting mistakes makes you appear more human and earns trust and respect.
Rule №6
Rule number six advises against quitting an industry simply because it becomes challenging. Marina notes that social media often presents an unrealistic view of various professions, leading people to believe they've chosen the wrong path. Every industry has its problems, and it's important to find ways to stay in an industry you enjoy. She quotes Warren Buffett, suggesting that if you dislike something, find a way not to do it. To remain in a profession for the long term, focus on the aspects you genuinely enjoy and delegate or work around the ones you don't.
Rule №7
The seventh rule is to constantly reinvent yourself. Staying in an industry doesn't mean remaining the same person. Marina shares that she is no longer just Lingo Marina, an English teacher, but has evolved into Silicon Valley Girl, focusing on business and innovation. She encourages others to embrace change and pursue new interests, even if it means diverging from their established identity. Realizing that you don't have to stick to an old version of yourself is liberating.
Rule №8
Rule number eight is to give 100% to whatever you do. Marina recounts her experience of being turned down for brief calls by successful people, realizing that they prioritize giving their full attention to their commitments. She uses Reed Hoffman as an example, noting his complete engagement during their interview. If you commit to something, be fully present and dedicated. Everything you do, even the smallest task, should be done with taste and respect.
Rule №9
The ninth rule is to be ambitious. Marina observes that Americans, while friendly, are also highly ambitious and think big. She shares a conversation with her manager at Instagram, who envisions her as a leader who loves business and innovation. She emphasizes the importance of aligning your actions with the vision you have for yourself and acting as if you're already in that role.
Rule №10
Rule number ten is that networking is crucial in the US. Marina shares that she secured a major contract through a connection she made at a party three years prior. People and companies prefer to work with individuals they know, as it reduces uncertainty and ensures a certain level of quality and commitment. This reinforces the idea that you don't need to be the most talented, but you do need to be good at what you do and treat others and your work with respect.
