How does your career compare to Musk, Zuckerberg, and Gates?

When you think of success stories, you probably think of Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos, among others. Despite their fame and the wealth they’ve amassed, it’s important to think about how they reached where they are today. What sets them apart from others who have tried to achieve the same level of success? How did they get their start? Their career timelines are worth noting, as the infographic below shows. Below are a few key common traits that the most successful people share.

1. Don’t rely on someone else. If you want to be successful, you should never expect others to fight for your career for you – not a parent, friend, or teacher. They are all busy with their own needs. No one will achieve your goals for you.

2. Focus on commitment, not motivation. How committed are you to your goals? When you find yourself fully committed, your motivation and success will follow.

3. Prioritize knowledge and experience over tangible results or money, especially in the early days of your career. Focus on improving yourself, and get excited about discovery and experimenting. If you only focus on results, then your motivation will be like the weather and die once you hit your first storm.

4. Solve problems, whether big or small. Live with the mantra, “I have no problems, I cause no problems, I SOLVE problems.”

Keep these tips in mind so when you do get your shot, you’ll be ready to deliver. What will your “How I Got Started” infographic look like in 20 years?

Check out the full infographics here.