Michael Bloomberg's advice for success: Don't take bathroom breaks
Just hold it in
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is a successful man.
He founded an eponymous financial services firm in 1982 that has since become indispensable to traders and market analysts. He later launched his own (also eponymous) news business, as well as other (yes, also eponymous) business ventures. He's served three terms as the mayor of America's largest city, after convincing the city council to scrap the old two-term limit.
With an estimated net worth of $27 billion, he's now the 13th richest person in the entire world.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
So how has Hizzoner become so successful? By trying really hard not to crap on the job, it turns out.
During Bloomberg's radio program Friday, a caller asked him to impart some personal tips for success. In addition to some expected platitudes — "take risks", "don't stop learning" — Bloomberg also said it's wise to work as hard as possible, all the time, even if that means skimping on lunch and bathroom breaks.
His full quote, as transcribed by the New York Observer:
Bloomberg has given the same advice in the past, as New York's Dan Amira points out. Back in 2011, he took an even stronger anti-bathroom stance, saying, "Don't ever take a lunch break or go to the bathroom, you keep working."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Other prominent, successful New Yorkers aren't so sure that's a great long-term strategy.
And Bloomberg himself, despite what he says, is known to enjoy a good vacation here and there.
The outgoing mayor owns 10 homes, according to Forbes, including ones in London, Bermuda, and the Colorado resort town of Vail. He was also notably absent when a mammoth blizzard slammed New York in Christmas 2010. His private jet, it was later revealed, had been seen in Bermuda on the day the storm hit.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Jon Terbush is an associate editor at TheWeek.com covering politics, sports, and other things he finds interesting. He has previously written for Talking Points Memo, Raw Story, and Business Insider.
-
'A direct, protracted war with Israel is not something Iran is equipped to fight'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 17, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - political anxiety, jury sorting hat, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Arid Gulf states hit with year's worth of rain
Speed Read The historic flooding in Dubai is tied to climate change
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published