Leonardo DiCaprio is an Oscar-winning American actor with several acclaimed movies like “Inception”, “Titanic”, and “The Basketball Diaries” to his name. This Los Angeles native started his career from a series of semi-regular roles in TV series like “Santa Barbara” and “Growing Pains”.

DiCaprio is also an environmentalist, speaking at events and donating money to foundations focused on environmental protection and charities. In 2007, he released his first feature length documentary, The 11th Hour, a hard hitting and inspiring film that features over 50 of the worlds leading experts on environmental issues and the exciting solutions that can save our planet and humanity.

Here are 10 success lessons from Leonardo DiCaprio – “Actor, Environmentalist” for entrepreneurs,

1. It’s how you approach “failure” that really matters

Talented as he is, DiCaprio has seen “failure” many, many times. DiCaprio might have complained or thrown a fit as many actors have done in the past when faced with such results, but he never once did. On the contrary, this talented actor chose to focus on finding the next big role.

Life will throw many challenges at you. You will come so close to clinching the trophy only to miss out. How you respond to difficult times will determine how well you can actually overcome them to reach your desired goals.

2. Dare to be different

Being same is too mainstream nowadays.

You have to be different from others if you want to be remembered after you. Remember his roles in The Revenant , Titanic and The Wolf of Wall Street. All these belong to different niche. But how he adapted him to versatile roles is stupendous.

3. Success is not a destination; it’s a journey

From downright bad movies to blockbusters, DiCaprio has been right at the heart of it all. He began his acting career at 19 and the 40-year old actor had to wait 21 years to win an Oscar when it could be argued he should have won many times prior to this.

Many of his movies have been successful while a few have flopped—this is pretty much the way life is and the most successful people understand this fact and are able to keep doing what they do best. No matter how talented or capable you may be, success will not come overnight.

4. Don’t stay too long in your comfort zone

DiCaprio is certainly one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood. He can act as the bad guy, the aggressive business man, the romantic lad, the ferocious fighter. How does he do it?

Other than being a very talented actor, DiCaprio doesn’t rest on his laurels. His success at the Oscars this year is a culmination of many hours, days, weeks, months and years of pushing to outperform himself. As DiCaprio may know only too well, putting yourself in unfamiliar situations may be scary and uncertain but it also positions you for more opportunities than you would be exposed to in your comfort zone.

5. Confidence is the best outfit

Confidence is not “they will like me”. Confidence is “I’ll be fine if they don’t.

Self-assurance makes you attractive and you acquire a comely personality. Confidence is charming. But point is that you can’t buy it. It is acquired by self-poise and having faith in yourself and your abilities.

6. Don’t take anything for granted

As DiCaprio said himself in his speech, don’t take anything for granted.

As we get new users and we reach the “hockey stick” growth point, we tend to leave something behind our eyes or priorities. We tend to just “forget” one of the most important parts, our users. As the business is in the quick growth phase, you feel like you earned it and then enjoy the success.

But as soon as you do this, you are taking your customer base for granted. And in a way or another, they notice it. As soon as they have this feeling, you have lost not just a user, but the potential for this user to be an ambassador of your startup.

7. Do the best for your fans/users

Leonardo DiCaprio never stops thanking his fans and giving them year after year cinematography masterpieces. He never stops delivering great work, and he is always grateful.

When you are a startup, you should always see the world with your user’s eyes. What do they need, how we can help them, what can we improve so they can be happy.

8. Always be smiling

When Leo didn’t get the Oscar even though he should have flipped out, he smiled and leaned back instead. He didn’t lose his nerve, and that is remarkable.

The startup life is extremely hard and like a rollercoaster. You never know what the next turn might be. You just get in and hope for the best.

9. Stop making excuses

Most prevalent excuse made by people is I don’t have time. But you will always find time for things that matters most for you.

It is all about your mindset , priorities and passions. Excuses are made by people who don’t have a clear goal. If you are making too much excuses , its time to learn from Leonardo and start acting. Invest your present for the shinning future. Excuses will lead you nowhere.

10. Love what you do

“I just really love doing what I do. I know every career is fleeting and there will be time periods when I don’t get the opportunities that I’m getting right now, so I’m taking advantage of them.”

DiCaprio is also a film producer and has worked with respected directors James Cameron, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino.

Leo understands the financial and creative aspects of the film industry. Losing an Oscar never stopped him from finding — or making — the next big opportunity. With purpose and ideas, a loss becomes irrelevant.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *