flâneur

Founders: #96 James J. Hill (Empire Builder of the Northwest)

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What I learned from reading James J. Hill: Empire Builder of the Northwest by Michael P. Malone. ---- James J. Hill demonstrates the impact one willful individual can have on the course of history [1:00] If you want to know whether you are destined to be a success or a failure in life, you can easily find out. The test is simple and it is infallible: Are you able to save money? If not, drop out. You will lose. You may think not, but you will lose as sure as you live. The seed of success is not in you. –James J. Hill [3:30] Early life and education [7:58] What James Hill learned from history: The power of one dynamic individual [9:09] Hill strikes out for adventure [10:48] Hill makes it a priority to seek out mentors to learn from [14:44] Starting his first business [18:22] Hill’s strategies on building businesses & insights into his business philosophy [21:50] Hill’s edge: An obsession with knowing every detail of his business [29:22] Burn the boats/ going all in/ when you have an edge, bet heavily [34:31] Stay close to where the money is being spent [36:51] Hill had an edge because he took the time to educate himself more than others would [38:49] The power of maintaining your foc

[00:00:00] Like most dynamic individuals of any generation, James J. Hill displayed what Alan Nevins once called a sort of lunar dualism. His positive traits were quite remarkable. A quick intelligence, a power of analysis, an incredible power of will and personality, and an unparalleled work ethic and commitment. His negative attributes were mirror images of the positive, an extreme irascibility that sometimes exploded into rage, a willfulness that could turn into outright ruthlessness, and such a preoccupation with the purpose at hand that he sometimes lost sight of [00:00:39] the broader…

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