Join our Waitlist for Expert Advice!

Mark Cuban Says This Is the One Thing That Sets Him Apart From Other Entrepreneurs—And How You Can Mimic His Success On LinkedIn's "The Path" podcast, billionaire Mark Cuban told entrepreneurs his keys to success and why they are a better measure of success than money.

By Madeline Garfinkle

Key Takeaways

  • Cuban says success shouldn't be solely measured by one's net worth.
  • He says having meaningful goals and waking up each day with a sense of accomplishment is key.

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Billionaire Mark Cuban recently told LinkedIn's "The Path" podcast his three keys to success — and why what's in his bank account isn't one of them.

Cuban, 65, most widely known for his role on "Shark Tank," boasts a net worth of $6.72 billion, according to Bloomberg. His journey into affluence began at 32, when he sold his initial business, software firm MicroSolutions, to CompuServe for $6 million. Eight years later, he climbed the billionaire ranks with the sale of his subsequent endeavor, Broadcast.com, to Yahoo for $5.7 billion.

Today, Cuban is the owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks and the cofounder of Cost Plus Drugs, a company he launched last year with the objective of lowering prescription drug prices.

Here, Cuban offers advice to entrepreneurs about how to be successful in business — and in life.

1. Have goals

When it comes to success, Cuban believes it's less about monetary gains, and more about setting intentional goals and feeling a sense of purpose in what one does.

"Success isn't necessarily how much money you have," Cuban said on the podcast. "Success is just setting a goal and being able to wake up every morning feeling really good about what you've accomplished."

2. Keep learning and stay curious

"I think what I do that probably separates me is that I'm infinitely curious," Cuban said. "There's nothing I'm not interested in learning about."

Cuban has long been vocal about his commitment to lifelong learning. In 2020, he told Men's Health that "learning was truly a skill" and continuing to learn is how he's "able to compete and keep up and get ahead of most people."

Fellow billionaire Bill Gates also emphasizes reading to wind down — a habit that a 2019 study of over 200 self-made millionaires found to be a common practice, with 86% saying they turn to books instead of television to decompress.

3. Don't stress it

Problems will arise in any workplace, but how you handle yourself (and those around you) will set you apart, and lead to more opportunities in the long run.

"Reduce the stress of people around you," Cuban said. "If you're a stress reducer, everybody wants you, so there's always going to be something for you to do."

Madeline Garfinkle

News Writer

Madeline Garfinkle is a News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate from Syracuse University, and received an MFA from Columbia University. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

You Have One Month Left to Buy a House, According to Barbara Corcoran. Here's Why.

"If you are planning on waiting a year and seeing where interest rates go, you are out of your mind," Corcoran said.

Business News

These 3 Side Hustles Make the Most Money While Working Fewer Hours, According to a New Survey

The survey also found that having a side hustle doubled as a path to becoming more employable.

Side Hustle

I Made $14,000 in 1 Week With a Spontaneous Halloween Costume Side Hustle — Here's How

Sabba Keynejad was in art school when he started to refine his entrepreneurial skills.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Thought Leaders

These 3 Trends Will Change What It Means to Be an Entrepreneur in 2025

Here are three entrepreneurship trends from the new Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report that are changing the landscape for the future.

Franchise

The McRib Is Back, But Only at Select McDonald's — Here's Where to Find It

This scarcity is nothing new. In 2022, McDonald's announced a "Farewell Tour" for the McRib, suggesting that it might be the last time customers could get their hands on it.