Want to know what the world’s richest people think you should focus on in 2026? A YouTube creator spent four years getting the answer straight from the source.
The creator behind “School of Hard Knocks” – a YouTube channel with 18 million followers based in Austin, Texas – interviewed 32 billionaires over the past four years. His goal? To share real success advice with young people trying to make it big.
During his interviews in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, he discovered that these ultra-successful people all gave surprisingly similar advice.
1 Big Idea: Jump Into AI Now
Almost every billionaire said the same thing: get into the AI (Artificial Intelligence) industry in 2026. They all believe AI is the future and that the next generation will use it for almost everything. If you want to succeed, this is where you need to be.
2 Secret Weapon: Believe in Something Bigger
Many of these successful people said that 80% of their success came from faith and believing in God. Having a strong spiritual foundation helped them push through tough times.
3 Hard Truth: Success Feels Like Torture (But Keep Going!)
The billionaires didn’t sugarcoat it. They described building a business as “chewing cactus” or “staring into the void.” Translation? It’s painful, it’s hard, and most people quit. But the winners? They never give up, no matter what.
4 Wake-Up Call: Leave Your Hometown
Here’s a tough one: you need to get out of your comfort zone and leave your hometown. Why? Because “money finds opportunity,” and you won’t discover million-dollar deals sitting in your kitchen. Big opportunities happen in big places.
5 Smart Strategy: Build Something Great, Don’t Just Try to Sell
If you want to sell your business someday, don’t focus on finding buyers. Instead, focus on making your business amazing. When you build something truly great, buyers will come looking for YOU.
Ready to Learn More?
Check out the School of Hard Knocks YouTube channel to watch these interviews yourself and get even more wisdom from people who’ve actually made it to the top!
Remember: Success takes years of hard work. These billionaires didn’t get rich overnight, and neither will you. But their advice can definitely point you in the right direction!
