Sixteen Insights from Tycoon Rockefeller on Amassing Wealth

For a hundred years, people have depicted John D. Rockefeller, the first billionaire of America's Gilded Age and representative figure of the robber barons, as a cold-blooded devil. His image and inner world remained a mystery. Fortunately, in recent years, a 1700-page autobiography of Rockefeller has been made public, allowing us to delve into the mind of this wealthy tycoon. It turns out that Rockefeller, who mysteriously hid himself away in the office of Standard Oil, was actually a simple-living, amiable old man. Perhaps his greatest indulgence in life was the substantial amount of money he spent on golf; in his later years, he became utterly obsessed with it. This extremely thin old man, despite playing the role of a ruthless businessman, adhered to puritanical habits of moderation in his private life. He spent his entire life amassing wealth, partly because he viewed it as a mission given by God, and also because he simply loved money — the sight of it could excite his nerves to a great extent.

Rockefeller's rise from a penniless youth to the dominant figure in the oil industry is undoubtedly a classic tale of inspiration. Let's take a look at the 16 lessons this tycoon of wealth offers us.

1. A humble origin and lack of education do not hinder one's success. Young John D. grew up in poverty and began working outside at the age of 16. He lacked a heroic father figure; his father was a quack medicine salesman who brought shame upon him. As a child, John D. gave the impression of having a somewhat vacant gaze and being perpetually melancholic, leaving no indication of future greatness.

2. Do not believe the notion that "the more you want to get rich, the less likely you are to succeed." John D. liked money from an early age. When he worked, he would secretly take out a $4000 promissory note from the safe, examining it repeatedly and touching it excitedly. The sole purpose of founding his business was to earn a lot of money.

3. Have a firm belief in getting rich, and even dare to proclaim it. John D.'s diary is filled with entries about his desire for wealth. Once, after being discriminated against by a client, he angrily shouted, "Just wait and see, one day I will become the richest man in the world!" He often tapped his friends' knees and declared, "I will definitely become rich! Definitely rich! Definitely rich!" showing an almost compulsive longing for wealth.

4. Start small and study numbers. Throughout his life, John D. kept the first ledger he created as a teenager, which he named "Ledger A." From this ledger, he meticulously recorded every expense, no matter how big or small, and carefully studied them. This developed his sensitivity to numbers, which was always one of his strengths and a crucial factor in his business success.

5. Be highly confident, self-disciplined, and possess the tenacity of a bulldog. At the age of 16, John D. started looking for his first job, deciding only to work for well-known large companies. He visited each company according to the city’s largest enterprise directory and requested meetings with the highest-level managers. After failing in the first round of applications, he began another round without losing heart, methodically executing his job-hunting strategy. Six months later, he finally secured a position as a bookkeeper. In his work, he collected debts for his boss, waiting for hours in front of debtors' doors with a look as if not receiving the money would mean certain death.

6. Treat work as a means to accumulate capital and experience, not just a tool for survival. Despite his outstanding performance in the first two months, John D. received a pitifully low salary. However, he loved the bookkeeping work, working overtime, and keenly identifying errors in the company's ledgers. This allowed him to showcase his talents while absorbing business experience.

7. Reflect daily on oneself, and self-cultivate into a great talent. From a young age, John D. paid exceptional attention to self-control, carefully examining his words and actions every day. Any inappropriate behavior or stray thoughts were immediately corrected. He skillfully controlled the muscles of his face, avoiding any expression of emotion.

8. Before becoming truly powerful, endure things you dislike. Although John D. felt that the treatment he received in his bookkeeping job was grossly unfair compared to his contributions, he chose to endure it. Eventually, the day came when a colleague invited him to start a business together, and he resigned as a way to protest the unfair treatment.