"Leverage it." Shark Tank's Robert Herjavec shares his views on achieving success

According to Robert Herjavec, in the cutthroat world of entrepreneurship, success isn't a matter of luck—it's a strategic game of time management. The Croatian-born tech entrepreneur and star of ABC's hit show Shark Tank knows this better than most. He recently proclaimed on Instagram:

"Success isn't about where you start—it's about how you use your time,"

He explained further:

"Privilege, talent, and circumstances all vary, but time is the one resource that's truly equal. The difference? How you choose to leverage it."

Now more than simply a TV personality, Robert Herjavec has a $600 million net worth and is known for having incisive business sense. He is a shining example of entrepreneurial wisdom, providing a straightforward outlook on achievement that dispels myths and questions accepted knowledge.

For the last 10 years, he has used Shark Tank, a platform where entrepreneurs present their company ideas to a group of affluent investors. It not only displays possible business prospects but also the unadulterated drive that distinguishes successful entrepreneurs from dreamers.

What is Robert Herjavec’s philosophy on attaining success?

The core idea of Herjavec's ideology is straightforward but profound: time is the most important democratic resource.

"Everybody in this room woke up with the same amount of time as the person sitting next to you," he says.

By arguing that success depends more on how you manage your time than where you begin, this remark refutes the myth of disadvantage.

The immigrant experience has deeply informed Robert Herjavec's perspective. Coming to Canada with his parents as a young refugee, he understood early that opportunity doesn't always knock—sometimes, you have to build the door.

"The farther you are down the totem pole of privilege, the harder you gotta work,"

He notes a testament to his own journey from a modest background to technological entrepreneurship.

According to Robert Herjavec, the way that successful people use time is what makes them unique.

"While some dwell on disadvantages, others maximize every hour, every opportunity, every lesson," according to him.

This is a useful tactic, not simply inspirational rhetoric. Internal motivation, not external conditions, is the true distinction.

"The reality is, if you wanna get ahead, you gotta make more out of the time than the person sitting next to you," Herjavec explains.

It's about creating value, not counting hours. His message resonates beyond business: it's a life philosophy that demands active engagement rather than passive acceptance.

Robert Herjavec talks about work-life balance and earning your place

Robert Herjavec challenges another popular notion: the idea of work-life balance. Instead, he advocates for work-life integration. He shared in an Instagram post:

"It's not about perfectly dividing time between work and life—it's about integrating the two,"

Success, for him, isn't measured by time spent away from work but by how seamlessly professional passion integrates with personal fulfillment.

"For me, success isn't measured by how much time I spend away from work, but how well I can blend my passions, my business, and my family into one fulfilling life," he says.

Proclaiming:

"It's all about flow, not separation."

Perhaps most provocatively, Herjavec cuts through personal complaints with a simple truth:

"People complain about their education, people complain about their parents, but at the end of the day, what people really care about is the value that you provide."

It's a stark reminder that success is transactional. The world doesn't owe you anything—you earn your place by demonstrating tangible value.

As Shark Tank continues to inspire entrepreneurs and viewers alike, Robert Herjavec stands as a living testament to his own philosophy. From refugee to multi-millionaire tech entrepreneur, his journey embodies the power of strategic time use, relentless work ethic, and unwavering belief in personal potential.

The message is clear: Leverage your time. Create value. And remember, the clock is ticking for everyone—it's up to you how you use it.

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