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I think this is the problem: People expecting windfalls: "a large amount of money that is won or received unexpectedly." There exists a reasonably reliable pat
by trevyn 9y ago
I think this is the problem: People expecting windfalls: "a large amount of money that is won or received unexpectedly."
There exists a reasonably reliable path to success for most people:
- Look at the people whom you consider to be successful who got there mostly through hard work.
- Do what they did, think about the things they think about, obsess over it. Let it consume you. You won't be good at first, but keep doing it. It will take time.
- Don't think you know better.
- Try not to spend too much time or too many brain cycles on recreation or non-work-focused friendships/relationships. (If you choose to do this, that's fine, but recognize that it is a choice that will define your future.)
That's about it.
- lotsofpulp 9y agoThat might work, assuming you grew up with a decent education, a stable home, in a safe environment with a supporting network of friends/family. Unfortunately, this does not apply for most people.
- deleted 9y ago[deleted]
- trevyn 9y agoI disagree. The thought that you have unique roadblocks is, in itself, disempowering.
- lotsofpulp 9y agoI agree with idea that one should not focus on what is holding them back, but I was responding to the claim that there is a reasonably reliable path to success for most people, in the sense that success conveys "a windfall" or otherwise making you financially secure and independent. However, there is no reliable path for a woman in Saudi Arabia, or poor child with drug addict parents, or the family of the lowest caste in India who have no assets. Surely they can help little by little and better their future generations, but they will by and large be gone before anyone gets a "windfall".
- rusk 9y agoThe term "Windfall" comes from Apples which are knocked from the tree by wind, so you can just go and pick them off the ground and sell them without having to go to all the trouble of picking them. So strictly speaking, that value was always coming your way you just received it early for less effort than otherwise. Unless you're scrumping that is ;-) Not sure how this ties in to our metaphor here but it kind of feels poignant.
- mattmanser 9y agoThis is exactly the same mistake of Survivorship Bias. I can't believe you responded in a thread about not looking at one guy who worked hard and succeeded by telling people to "copy one guy, work hard, and you'll succeed". I love your spin on it though. Have no friends!