My AtoZ inspirations: J - Jack Ma, the Alibaba.

Jack Ma.

It takes a rare person to become a self made billionaire through a devoted work ethic while maintaining a sense of perspective. And Jack Ma is one such. As someone who was rejected from countless jobs and places - Harvard, KFC, hotel waiter - he has amazing entrepreneurial lessons to share from his rags to riches story and currently running a multi-billion dollar industry.

1. Don’t believe you’ve made it
“Don’t believe you’ll be good all the time. Be paranoid.” Never settle. The world constantly keeps changing and you're in a battle that you've taken up until you choose to lose or give up. There are countless stories which show why innovation and competition are the keys to longevity.

2. A career road map where you learn to impact.
“Join a good company in your 20s, and find a good boss to learn how to do business. Then branch out and do something on your own in your 30s. When you’re 40, please do something you’re strong and good at,” says Jack Ma. “When you’re 50, please spend time on the young people, giving them chances while you’re still strong.”

3. Empower others.
This lesson from Jack rings a new ray of hope to aspiring entrepreneurs and I quote, "Make sure other people are better than you are, then you'll be successful."

4. Your value is the trust the society has placed on you.
"When you have one billion dollars, that's not your money. That's the trust society has placed on you.", Jack Ma stated these remarkable words. And I believe the trust that is placed needs to fuel your efforts to improve this world.

5. Hire people smarter than you.
A value that I've learned from one of my mentors. And this, I believe, is the key to taking your organization to greater heights. Jack gives his colleagues this bit of advice: “When they hire people, there’s one judge. Look at the young man.
“If you think he will be your boss – be my boss – in five years, hire him.”

Jack Ma's life lessons and his new perspectives are an inspiration to people who want to leave an impact on this world by making it a better place.