8 Learning Habits That Top Entrepreneurs Swear By

I used to think that top entrepreneurs were just born with something the rest of us weren’t. An elite mix of confidence, risk tolerance, and maybe some mysterious gene that let them speak VC fluently while juggling six startups. But over time—and after talking to a handful of founders and obsessively reading interviews—I realized that what really sets them apart isn’t magic. It’s method.

More specifically: it’s how they approach learning.

It’s not performative or overly academic. It’s often low-key, structured, and deeply personal. The best entrepreneurs aren’t addicted to being the smartest person in the room—they’re committed to staying curious and building repeatable learning habits that grow with them.

And that’s something we can all use.

Takeaways

• Build learning into your schedule like any other priority.
• Curiosity, reflection, and diverse inputs fuel innovative thinking.
• Teaching and mentoring strengthen your understanding (and your influence).
• Failure isn’t a detour—it’s a data source.
• Smart learners use tech, deep work, and community to stay adaptable and ahead.

1. Commit to Lifelong Learning

“Leaders are readers” gets thrown around a lot, but for top entrepreneurs, it’s more than a slogan. It’s a mindset. The most successful founders treat learning like a lifelong job requirement—and not just the kind tied to their business vertical.

They read across disciplines, enroll in online courses, and say “yes” to workshops that stretch their thinking. And no, it’s not always high-concept material. Sometimes it’s fiction, psychology, history, or even memoir. The goal isn’t just expertise—it’s perspective.

• Schedule “learning time” in your calendar like a meeting.
• Use platforms like Coursera or LinkedIn Learning to explore new skills or revisit old ones.
• Diversify your input: podcasts on the go, audiobooks during your commute, newsletters over coffee.

Studies show that 73% of adults consider themselves lifelong learners, but successful entrepreneurs elevate this by structuring learning into their daily routines.

Bill Gates famously sets aside an hour each day, known as his “Think Week,” to read and reflect on topics ranging from AI advancements to global health. This practice fuels his strategic vision and keeps his mind open to groundbreaking ideas.

2. Stay Incurably Curious

This one might sound soft, but it’s a serious edge. Curiosity is the gateway to innovation. While most of us look for answers, entrepreneurs get ahead by asking better questions—and not being afraid to sound like a beginner while doing it.

Think of Steve Jobs studying calligraphy or Elon Musk devouring rocket science textbooks before SpaceX existed. It’s curiosity that lets entrepreneurs zoom out, connect unlikely dots, and build something new where others see limitations.

• Practice asking “Why?” at least five times when tackling a problem (hello, Toyota Method).
• Read one book per month outside your industry.
• When you don’t understand something, make it a point to explore it—even if it’s just a Wikipedia dive.

3. Surround Yourself with Inspiring People

No one achieves success in a vacuum. Entrepreneurs understand the value of surrounding themselves with people who elevate, challenge, and inspire them. These relationships become learning conduits that keep them motivated and informed.

• Join Mastermind Groups: A mastermind group is composed of individuals who share similar goals and meet regularly to discuss challenges and share insights. Think of it as a brain trust for growth.
• Attend Industry Conferences and Networking Events: Physical and virtual events provide opportunities to meet mentors, collaborators, and peers who can provide new perspectives.

Having a mentor is one of the most effective ways to fast-track learning. Oprah Winfrey credits much of her success to the guidance she received from trusted mentors throughout her career. A mentor can provide firsthand knowledge that no book or course can replicate, offering nuanced advice that saves you time and helps you navigate tricky challenges.

According to a survey by Sage, 93% of startups admit that mentorship is instrumental in their success. The right network can make all the difference in turning a good entrepreneur into a great one.

4. Learn by Teaching Others

One of the most effective ways to master a concept is to teach it to someone else. This learning habit isn’t just beneficial for the mentee; it reinforces the teacher’s understanding and clarifies complex concepts.

• Share Your Knowledge Publicly: Writing blog posts, giving presentations, or even explaining concepts to a colleague can significantly deepen your grasp of a subject.
• Engage in Peer Discussions: Discussing what you’ve learned with peers can highlight any knowledge gaps and reinforce what you already know. Teaching solidifies the neural pathways in your brain, making the information easier to recall.

Named after Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman, this method involves learning a concept well enough to teach it to someone with no background in the topic. If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough. Many entrepreneurs use this technique to test their comprehension and improve their ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.

5. Embrace Failure as a Learning Tool

Ask any successful entrepreneur about their journey, and you’ll hear stories filled with setbacks and mistakes. But they’ll also tell you that those failures were their greatest learning moments.

• Conduct Post-Mortem Reviews: After any significant project or decision, successful entrepreneurs analyze what went wrong and what went right. This structured reflection helps them extract lessons and avoid repeating the same mistakes.
• Accept Failure as Part of Growth: The fear of failure can be paralyzing, but top entrepreneurs view each setback as a data point. They treat failures as experiments that yield valuable insights.

Before founding Spanx, Sara Blakely failed numerous times with different business ideas. Instead of seeing those attempts as wasted time, she viewed each as a stepping stone that brought her closer to eventual success. Her resilience paid off, making her one of the youngest self-made female billionaires.

6. Leverage Technology and Tools

In the age of information overload, staying informed can feel overwhelming. Successful entrepreneurs know how to leverage technology to make learning more efficient and less daunting.

• Microlearning Apps: Platforms like Blinkist and Audible allow entrepreneurs to absorb the key takeaways from books and articles in minutes. Podcasts and YouTube tutorials also offer valuable insights that can be digested on the go.
• Organize Your Learning: Apps like Notion, Evernote, and Roam Research help entrepreneurs keep track of their notes, thoughts, and new ideas. This habit turns information into an easily accessible personal knowledge base.

Integrating these tools into daily routines means entrepreneurs can learn in the “in-between” moments—whether during a morning run, a commute, or while waiting for a meeting to start. This continuous flow of information keeps their minds sharp and their ideas fresh.

7. Schedule Time for Deep Work

In a world filled with constant notifications and urgent emails, finding time for focused, uninterrupted work can be challenging. Top entrepreneurs carve out this sacred time for “deep work,” allowing them to engage deeply with complex topics and foster creative breakthroughs.

• Block Time in Your Calendar: Set aside specific hours dedicated solely to learning or tackling complicated projects. This might be in the morning before the day’s distractions begin or during a quieter time in the afternoon.
• Guard Your Focus: Treat these deep work sessions as appointments. Turn off your phone, log out of social media, and let colleagues know you’re not available.

Entrepreneurs who embrace deep work report enhanced productivity and a deeper understanding of complex topics. Cal Newport, author of Deep Work, argues that true mastery of a subject comes not from multi-tasking but from prolonged, concentrated effort. Entrepreneurs like Tim Ferriss and Jack Dorsey have spoken about using deep work to think more strategically and innovate more effectively.

8. Reflect and Adapt Regularly

Here’s what most people miss: learning isn’t finished when the book’s closed or the video ends. Entrepreneurs know that reviewing, reflecting, and adapting is where the gold lives.

They use journaling, debriefs, and weekly reviews to track what’s working, what’s not, and where to adjust. This isn’t about being overly structured—it’s about clarity.

Arianna Huffington famously journals daily. Others set quarterly learning goals. The structure varies—but the habit doesn’t.

• Write down one insight at the end of each day.
• Set a “learning checkpoint” every Sunday night.
• Every quarter, ask: What’s one thing I want to know better?

Conclusion

Adopting these eight learning habits can transform the way you approach your career and personal development. By weaving these habits into your routine, you’ll not only become a more skilled entrepreneur but also foster a mindset that thrives on growth, resilience, and continuous improvement.

Remember, learning like a top entrepreneur isn’t just about absorbing information; it’s about applying it, teaching it, reflecting on it, and adapting as you go. Start with one or two habits, stay consistent, and watch your journey to growth accelerate.

These practices are the secret sauce behind the success stories we admire. Integrate them, and who knows? You just might become the success story someone else looks up to.