Thats really great. I love that book. I've read it countless times. Just to remind me of who i need to be and to remind myself of what it takes. It's also a fascinating study of 30 large public companies over a long period of time along with the interviews.

I do not need to play silly word games. I am sure if we dug into your past, we could find all kinds of goodies to throw in your face when you can't back up our talking points with any real facts. I rebounded from my bad decision at the time and make more money now than I did before it. I learned from my mistakes, applied what I learned, and that is why I continue to have success.

Sadly, this thread is not about 'Barefootsies'. You trying to make it about me just goes to show how little you brought to the table in the first place. Not that it surprised any of us, it has been repeated and pointed out numerous times now by people in this thread your argument is flawed from the beginning.

I certainly believe there are commonalities to success and the better I can understand those and incorporate them in my behavior, the better. So books such as this appeal to me.

While I do tend to think luck may be some sort of factor, random in its degree of impact, it's also completely arbitrary.

Agreed, and I can understand where you're coming from in that regard. :thumbsup

the same could be said for you with your 12clicks comment. that's the only reason i said what i did. i have gone massively into debt with a previous failed business but instead of claiming bankruptcy i worked hard built up a business based on another idea and over time, paid it back (with interest).

why is it so hard to just acknowledge that sometimes life events that mean nothing at the time can shape who you are and what you do in life which has little to do with hard work?

I agree with that 100%.

But having said that...AGAIN, you have to have drive and ambition to take that OPPORTUNITY and run with it.

Everybody stumbles onto opportunity in their lives at some point (hell, in my case all the time). But the vast majority don't SEE the opportunity or don't WANT it.

They feel safe and secure working their job and/or are like most people and do enough to just get by.

Do you need to be in the right place at the right time? Hell yes. But again, that comes from desire.

Paul McCartney hooked up with John Lennon because of a shared PASSION and they frequented the same places...birds of a feather.

Same with Jobs & Wozniak.

And sometimes even that's not needed at all.

For example:
Though I've had dozens of things happen from "being in the right place at the right time" (which was BECAUSE I'm ambitious and driven)...I am right now in the middle of doing something not related to adult.

And the company I partnered up with for it?

That had nothing to do with "luck" or a "chance meeting".

It had everything to do with the work I've already done.

They saw some viral things I've filmed and when they contacted me they already knew everything about me.

Heck, I even turned them down for months because I just didn't have the hours in the day.
They surprised me at Internext by showing up at the center bar at The Hard Rock with a check written out to me if all I did was say "yes".
So I did.

And this may end up being the biggest deal I've ever gotten into when it's all said and done.

So yeah I do believe that hard work, perseverance, skills, knowledge, and drive are what lead to success.

Luck = Preparation + Opportunity

And most people don't have the preparation or recognize the opportunity.
Successful people DO.

That was my point. We all are given opportunities throughout life. However, it comes down to what you DO with those opportunities that matter. Most of th examples presented, whether Gates, Jobs, Lennon are all people who came together and shared a passion for something. They took the perfect timing, and the opportunity to build something which required work to do.

As we both agree, if you have a prepared mind, you are going to recognize and seize that opportunity when it happens where as many miss it and have nothing but regret later. I think most of that stuff comes from happenstance (musicians hang together, computer nerds hang together, etc.) that breed an environment for like minds to meet up. I do not consider that 'luck' however.

That being said, I honestly do not care beyond to say, that what some see as 'luck' does not make you successful. It is seizing that opportunity and taking it to the next step, whatever that might be. Depending on where you hang out, what you have the passion to do, it will pair you with like minded folk that could potentially come together to build a better mousetrap.

Society has to create the infrastructure and climate for success.

A lot of people could be successful given the right combination of circumstances.

The Beatles form, is there a club they can perform in? Is their an audience who want to hear their music? Are their record companies prepared to invest in studio time? Are there music studios? Does American racism prevent Black music from being played on white radio but is listened to and copied in England?

Many factors allow people to succeed. If it was just down to individuals human development would be evenly distributed though out the world, but we see spurts of development where all the conditions are right.

Industrial revolution where coal steel and railways reach critical mass and demand for engineers.

Pop music in 60s in the UK

Computers in the USA in the 90s

China is now creating possibilities for its people.

McCartney met George Harrison riding the school bus to school, that chance meeting led Paul to meeting John Lennon via George Harrison and consequently joining Lennon's band.

As already mentioned, Wozniak was introduced to Jobs via someone who noticed the 2 had 2 things in common- electronics and playing pranks.

No. Paul and John were already in a band together.

"While attending Quarry Bank Grammar School in March 1957, John Lennon formed a band called the Quarrymen. John met Paul McCartney at the Woolton Garden Fete in July 1957. A few days later, Paul was asked to join the group. In February 1958. George Harrison was invited to watch the group. Paul got to know George on the morning school bus ride to Liverpool Institute. At Paul's insistence, George was asked to join the group as lead guitarist."

Hey wait a minute...I thought we were discussing the "Corporate War On The Poor".

I guess that since the CBO report that came out this week and nailed them on ObamaCare and people being disincentivized to work, BTF3K and other Democrat Party loyalists have now changed the conversation that the Obamapologists want to us all to have.

So now there is no "Corporate War On The Poor" and it turns out that it's gonna be GREAT because more people will leave the work force!

Damn...Harry Reid and Pres. Obama are geniuses!

No more "war on the poor"...because now the "poor" will be leaving the work force! And that will effectively LOWER the Unemployement Rate! (because they don't count the millions of people who have left the work force already or the ones that the CBO projects are going to leave)

Now everything is rainbows and unicorns!

Hell, maybe they can come up with a few more ideas before his term is over and get EVERYBODY to leave the work force!

Then we will have ZERO unemployment rate and everyone can "follow their dreams"

Thanks for the clarification, the way it plays out is not obvious.

nope, they rather spend the money they don't have on wars that never end.

Exactly right. All this b.s. talk about "Corporate War on The Poor" while the Federal Govt. spends more money on killing people every week than all those evil Corporations put together have.

But let's ignore the govt. and make this a cultural war instead. :(

Yeah...it's the same way that Jagger and Richards met. A passion for a certain type of music that drew them together. And then of course they had the drive, ambition, talent, and skill to take that to the next level.

That incentive for people to not work is for the ones who were working just for their healthcare, and now would rather retire or do whatever. You're just like all of the other conservatives who have twisted the report to fit your talking points. Others will step into those vacant positions. Yeah, you're a conservative. Why not just embrace it?

No I'm not. Number one I'm not "conservative"

Number 2, I'm not "twisting" anything.

Number 3, it's obvious that the Pres. advisers are changing the subject every week as something else goes wrong.

Number 4, If I were a Republican or a Conservative I'd gladly admit it. Why not? I can't believe that you would identify yourself as a Democrat. They are one of the 2 Ruling parties who are to blame for all of this.
I want nothing to do with either party. And I voted accordingly.

Number 5, Why are you trying to make this about ME? What's wrong? The facts not good enough to discuss?
Then let me refresh your memory:
The Pres., Reid, and Pelosi all have told us since 2009 that it's the "Summer Of Recovery"
The same 3 leaders told us that ObamaCare would not cost ANY jobs, and instead would help CREATE them.

I don't need to go on. But if you can't see that they are spinning this, then I would say that you are being willfully blind to the situation because you see politics as a team sport instead of what it should be.

I hear ya, I was mixed-up on the chance meetings, it was chance that George Harrison met Paul on that school bus and became the 3rd Beatle.

I haven't changed my position one bit. If you don't think we've had 30+ years of corporate rule in this country, there is no conversation to be had.

I'm all for an angry mob of people who finally resort to torches and pitchforks. A pox on both houses, as far as I'm concerned.

We truly need a revolution here in the USA. A REAL FUCKING REVOLUTION!

When our elected officials answer to special corporate interests over the will of the people, it's time to roll out the fucking guillotines!

In addition, this post wasn't even about the cherry-picked idiocy pulled from the latest CBO report.

Here's some pictures for you, since I know how much you like them...

https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/...79192338_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/...78427247_n.jpg

Land of the fucking free!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...47014780_n.jpg

Nope, the only pictures I like are when you post up some shots of big tit sluts from Pecker Pass.

We both like slutty broads with big fucking tits, we both like to party, we both like rock and roll, and we both hate our current government.

It's funny that we always seem to be in disagreement, as logically, we should be on the same page.

If we all agree that 618 corporate-owned lawmakers in Washington were our REAL problem, things would change.

This just demonstrates the power of media manipulation and propaganda.

Divide and conquer, as they say...

they weren't working JUST for their healthcare, they were working for both paycheck + healthcare...

... and besides, what's wrong with working for something you want/need? clearly the people in question are able to work, but they will choose not to... why should society pay for something the people in question have ability to earn themselves?

I don't understand this socialist utopia bullshit... it's one thing to help those that are not able to survive without help... but it makes zero sense to help those who are able to earn what they want/need...

maybe I'm just a cold asshole, but it just doesn't seem right that my neighbor who is in perfectly good shape and is able to work will quit her job to pursue some hobby, while I'll be left with the bill to pay for her healthcare...

woj...just ADMIT you are a conservative.
That's the answer you will get from him.

He has no answers to the actual issue at hand. So (like all Obamapologists) he will attack YOU and try to put you on the defensive.

It's pretty pathetic.

You probably don't drink the right kind of beer. :1orglaugh

it's kinda funny that (some) people read 'work hard' as 1 and 1 thing only, work hard at your job. 'work hard' has a ton of applications;

1. work hard to expand your knowledge
of
a) a favourite subject/pastime (find a job you love and you'll never do a day's work in your life)
b) how to behave in different situations
c) how to conduct yourself with people in both your social and your business/work life
d) where opportunites might lie
e) etc

2. work hard to make sacrifices for just 1 year, in order to be able to take the risk of an opportunity in
a) a new job that pays less initially but where the pay is more eventually
b) starting up a business
c) moving to another area that isn't a crime-ridden shithole that demoralises you each time you walk out the door
d) taking an evening class in a better paid profession/business you want to start
e) etc

3. work hard in switching off the tv set 2 hours earlier each night to READ books on
a) a profession/business
b) investment
c) motivation
d) biographies of the successful
e) etc

4. work hard in weaning yourself off facebook/twitter/xbox/youtube for an hour less each day so you can
a) exercise to release more endorphins
b) burn off your 4 stone of excess flab
c) put 2 stone on your skinny ass
d) have more energy/zest to chase the things you want
e) etc

and so on and so on. 'work hard' doesn't just mean work hard at your job, it means work hard in all areas of your life - all of a sudden you'll get all this 'luck' that everyone except you seems to get :2 cents:

Rather than debate every single point you just made, I'll play devil's advocate, just for the fun of it....

When you imagine a technological future filled with robots and endless automation, do you see 8 billion people working longer hours for less, or do you see humanity having an easier time of it, and working shorter hours, with all of their needs covered?

To me, the only benefit from job-killing automation and technological advancements, would be to benefit and simplify MY life, and the lives of future generations.

Americans work more hours than most people on the planet, and have much less time to enjoy life.

There are two possible futures. One is set-up with a ruling minority stealing everyone's wealth while destroying the planet, and the other is much closer to a "utopian socialist society" as you seem to detest.

We are a socialist/capitalist society right now, but the balance is changing fast, and not for the better.

Maybe you're angry because you work TOO MUCH?

qft :)

amended slightly, obviously, but again, you have to 'work' at arriving at that state of mind.

work at realising that everyone, but everyone, fails at some point, at some thing.

work mentally, not just physically at whatever your job happens to be. It always, always, comes if you work - just depends on how you define and apply that 'work' :thumbsup

Maybe he's angry because he works very hard at everything he does, he plans, he takes risks, he sacrifices and compromises and gives it all to make sure he works for himself and does well,... then gets told "you're just lucky" by a bunch of shiftless assholes that have their hand out.

Sounds like a textbook case of misdirected anger, in that case.

Are you sitting on billion$ of dollar$ of record profit, and then off-shoring it, not paying taxes on it, not hiring anyone with it, and then puppeteering a divisive message through your bought-and-paid-for media?

If not, you are part of the bamboozled majority. :thumbsup

I'm sure you weren't taking to me though, as I haven't called anyone "lucky" and I don't take a dime in hand-outs of any sort. :)

No, you just support killing people you disagree with as a solution to fixing what you perceive to be the "problems". You're not insane and clearly someone the world needs.

Yes, I'm a dangerous mass murderer, I'm "not insane" - "and I'm clearly someone the world needs".

Thanks for staying focused and coherent. :thumbsup

I don't think a robot could ever replace you.

You're a fucking lunatic that keeps chanting for a "real revolution" where you behead those you disagree with.

I think a robot replaced you in 1998.. at least that what it appears from the pictures you post that have that retarded black, bevel/emboss effect around them.

You seem to be a simple minded fellow. God bless. I wish you all the best. :)

ironic how a thread about a corporate conspiracy to hold down the poor has evolved into a debate about the merits of hard work.

i think that people need a break to make it to the big leagues of any business. However, a hard working person with an innovative mind & a can-do spirit will inevitably make their own break, as people who can give them that break will want a piece of the action.

its easy for self made people to say that this is the answer to success. Certainly they want to ensure the tax rates do not dismantle this incubator of wealth. But fact is, majority of people dont have either the brains or the work ethic to make that break.

So it is incumbant on the countries leaders, capitalists, politicians, that they have a strain of nationalism in them. that they make their jobs in the USA to help the labor pool, & in turn, help the country. Its challenging for this to happen when consumers don't care for "made in the USA" & our pols take big checks to keep free trade going.

todays "shareholder value" ethos & the general greed rampant at the top 1% is the primary problem that pervades both our corporate & our government systems. The top 1% seem to be looking out only for themselves, & the result is today's 2 tier economy.

:2 cents:

And what are the "bottom" 99% doing? Looking out for me and you? :1orglaugh

Hell no. They are looking out for THEMSELVES. Got some bad news for you...nobody owes any of us anything. And nobody really gives a shit whether we live or we die.

It's up to US to take care of our ownselves and our loved ones. I'm not on this Earth to support other people with my hard work.