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(Video) What Every Entrepreneur Can Learn From Steven Spielberg

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If you once watched Jaws, Jurassic Park or E.T then you would have witnessed the birth of the hollywood blockbuster trend conceived by no other than Steven Spielberg, who’s name has been everywhere this year with the new release of his amazing hit movies “The Adventures Of Tintin” and the most talked about movie of 2012, “War Horse“.

Steven Spielberg has more than 40 years of groundbreaking work under his belt and has influenced countless other directors and the many films he’s made throughout the decades are testament to his perpetual drive for success. Although the majority of his career is primarily involved in cinema, the qualities that have helped him succeed can also be applied by you in the world of business.

 

What Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Steven Spielberg

 

1. Stay On Your Toes

Complacency is one of the mortal sins of being an entrepreneur.  If you want to stay fresh and relevant, you always need to keep your eyes open and learn to adapt to new threats and situations.

When Spielberg directed jaws, he encountered an endless variety of technical problems which bogged down production. In fact, many of the cast and crew famously complained about how excruciatingly slow things were moving along because of the technical difficulties.

However, Spielberg is well-known for being able to think of solutions on the fly and make best of the situation at hand. Jaws went on to become one of the most successful films of all time and won three academy awards.

 

2. Be Willing To Make Mistakes and Learn From Them

When Spielberg started out, becoming rich and famous was the farthest thing from his mind.  When he directed his first independent film Firelight in 1963, he made a total profit of US $1.

He didn’t intend to make a pretty penny from this endeavour but instead did it for his own artistic growth.  It might have not won any awards, but he used this experience to learn from it.

In the same way, entrepreneurs need to be open to the reality that they will make miscalculations at the beginning.  However, this won’t be in vain because mistakes can be our greatest teacher.

 

3. Don’t Be Afraid To Get Out There

When you’re starting out in business, don’t expect a bunch of clients to rush to your doorstep.  As the saying goes, you need to be willing to pay your dues before seeing a measure of success.  That’s why people need to know who you are, what you’re selling and why should they spend their hard-earned cash on your business.

Steven Spielberg started his career as an unpaid intern at Universal Studios.  He knew that he had to put himself right in the middle of the industry he wanted to succeed in – even if it meant not earning a single solitary cent for the meantime.

What entrepreneurs can learn from Steven Spielberg is that even today, he still makes it a point to sell what he has in order to continue his success.  As a matter of fact, it was even rumoured that he took Will Smith on a helicopter ride to his home just to pitch the script of Men in Black.

 

4. Do What You Love and Take It Seriously

If you want to succeed in anything that you do, it has to come from a deep wellspring of inspiration.  A lot of Spielberg’s films were influenced by the early childhood experiences that resonated deep within him.

For example, the young characters in the movie Super 8 mirrored Spielberg’s own enthusiasm for film making during his early years.  In the movie, the children used a cheap handheld camera to make crude home movies that made use of flimsy toy sets for certain scenes.  Spielberg himself also did this as a kid.  He used toy train sets to depict disaster scenes for his 8 mm movies.

His Jewish heritage has also profoundly influenced his work, such as Schindler’s List.  As a boy, he experienced being harassed by other kids in his school for being a Jew.  His feelings for anti-Semitism are clearly shown in his movie about the Jews who were persecuted during the holocaust.

 

5. Fear Is Only A Word

Spielberg has faced a lot of setbacks and obstacles throughout his career.  He probably didn’t have the answers all the time, and couldn’t see the end result of what he was doing, but he never let the fear of the unknown get in the way of his success.

If something goes wrong, he doesn’t blame others and takes responsibility for what happened.  Instead of backing away from his fears, he chooses to embrace them.

Any successful entrepreneur will tell you that making it in business means that you have to believe in yourself as well as the products that you carry.  Otherwise, it will be easy for you to get distracted and stray from the path you’re on.

Although the initial concept inspired you to get started in the first place, the other half of the equation lies in your willingness to follow through with your vision.  You might not know all the variables and you can’t control everything, but sometimes you just have to go with it and hope for the best.

 

6. Exploit Your Weakness And Turn It Into An Advantage

Steven Spielberg was an outcast at school. He was a loner, and has very little friends. His solitary world led him to turn into an imaginary friend an extra terrestrial being who would become the inspiration to one of Spielbergs most unforgettable films – E.T. His unhampered imagination was later the key for his uncanny skill to tell a story behind a camera. Instead of hiding behind his weakness, he began to use it as front for recognition.

This made for the making of a legendary film maker. What can we learn from this? Use flexibility and customised service as your marketing pitch if you are a small company. This can easily catch your big competitors off guard. If you are seen as an irrelevant competitor that can be and advantage for you and your business.

 

7. Do Not Stop Dreaming, Keep On Innovating

Spielberg has been in the industry for decades and yet it seems his magic touch for movies that rakes in profits and critical praise did not erode one single bit. He was quoted saying “Once a month the sky falls on my head… and I see another movie I want to make”. Spielberg simply does not stop thinking about film ideas, he is not afraid to venture into other genres. He takes risks, innovates his style, and fits right in to the emotion of the films that he make. What you get is solid entertainment from heavy drama movies like Schindler’s list, to directing realistic, fast paced combat sequences in Saving Private Ryan. Do not stop making your products or services interesting. Entrepreneurship is all about staying on top all the time.

 

8. Build A Solid Brand That Will Last

Success in entrepreneurship is all about gaining and maintaining the trust of your clients. Spielberg gives his all, whether he is directing or just producing a movie.

Since Spielberg started in the movie industry, he was very careful in the projects that he chose to pursue. Some of them failed of course, but most of them were a hit. This made his name familiar, a simple yet significant seal of movie making excellence. Every time you see his name on the credits, you just know the movie is special, it is good one way or the other. His name simply became a say-nothing-more marketing pitch for movies. If he is on it, the movie must be really good. Back your business up with a good reputation, a name that represents perfection.

(Video) Steven Spielbergs Advice On Making Your Dreams A Reality

 

In the end, what entrepreneurs can learn from Steven Spielberg is the simple fact that one has to persevere long enough to eventually master what they’re doing.  Spielberg didn’t spend all his time reading theories on film making because he knows that unless you’ve tried it yourself, you won’t really know what it’s like.

 

I am the the Founder of Addicted2Success.com and I am so grateful you're here to be part of this awesome community. I love connecting with people who have a passion for Entrepreneurship, Self Development & Achieving Success. I started this website with the intention of educating and inspiring likeminded people to always strive for success no matter what their circumstances. I'm proud to say through my podcast and through this website we have impacted over 200 million lives in the last 10 years.

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Success Advice

11 Mark Manson Lessons That’ll Redefine Success in the Digital Age

Success in the digital age isn’t about hacks, it’s about the raw, real lessons Mark Manson actually lives by.

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In 2016, Mark Manson released The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, a brutally honest, thought-provoking book that redefined self-help for a new generation. (more…)

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Change Your Mindset

The Secret Daily Routines Behind History’s Most Brilliant Thinkers

Uncover the daily rituals and hidden habits that powered history’s most brilliant minds to success.

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Why Daily Rituals Matter

Every great achiever has one thing in common: discipline. Behind the novels, inventions, discoveries, and masterpieces are small, consistent habits repeated daily. (more…)

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Did You Know

How to Turn a Simple Link-in-Bio Into a Powerful Brand Hub

Transform your forgotten bio link into a high-impact gateway that fuels engagement, clicks, and conversions across every social platform.

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Social media is one of the greatest marketing tools in 2025. According to a recent study, some 86% of marketers globally use platforms like Facebook and Instagram for advertisements, while 94% use it for content distribution.  (more…)

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Personal Development

These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident

Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

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how to build self-confidence through action
Image Credit: Midjourney

Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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