Oprah Winfrey is known to be one of the most successful women in modern culture. She’s valued at an estimated $3.2 billion and is a role model to many. Oprah is widely recognized for her talk show as well as her philanthropic efforts. She has used her platform to reach others and provide endless wisdom for a successful life. Seeing that Oprah has become such a powerhouse in the media industry and in American culture, it is no wonder that people revere her as someone to look up to. In fact, there are plenty things that Oprah has taught us over the years that are useful for succeeding in everyday life and pursuing a meaningful purpose.
If we had to pick a few things to take away from Oprah’s journey and the advice she gives, we’d choose the mentions below. Here are the seven things to learn from Oprah Winfrey.
Perseverance: According to one video on The Scene, Oprah didn’t even “make it” until she was in her 30’s. She was 32 when the Oprah Winfrey show first aired, but that wasn’t before she was fired from her job as a TV news anchor for a Baltimore newsroom. Oprah did not let the rejection of being “unfit” for that certain job derail her. Instead, she turned a closed door into an open window and continued pushing toward what she wanted for her future.
Authenticity: One of Oprah’s most endearing traits and the reason most people gravitate towards her is her undying commitment to stay true to herself. Oprah never lowered her standards to take on lucrative advertisers that she didn’t personally use. She showed that being authentic is always worth it.
Humility: As Forbes reports, Oprah was the most-watched daytime television host for over two decades. Anyone can imagine that such fame and success might get to her head. However, Oprah made sure to stay grounded no matter how famous or successful she became. One of her most famous quotes perfectly illustrates her stance on remaining humble: “I still have my feet on the ground, I just wear better shoes.”
Generosity: Oprah Winfrey is practically synonymous with benevolence. When it comes to fortunate people sharing the wealth, she has been a front-runner. Always giving away things on her show and actively supporting charities and other good causes, Oprah teaches her fans that the real wealth lies in helping others. A full list of charities supported by Oprah can be found on Look to the Stars.
Risk-Taking: In order to be successful, you need to be able to be unafraid of failure. Oprah was born in poverty to an unmarried mother, and she created her entire empire of entrepreneurial success. But she didn’t get there without a little failure. She is quoted on Entrepreneur giving sage advice when it comes to taking risks and failure. “Do the one thing you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time. The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire. This is your moment. Own it.”
