Unfortunately it's really simple: 1) extreme luck in what you grow up with, the hobby you pick (linux) 2) extreme luck in getting a job offer with stock that

Unfortunately it's really simple: 1) extreme luck in what you grow up with, the hobby you pick (linux) 2) extreme luck in getting a job offer with stock that would x10000 in value. 3) extreme luck in accepting said job offer (it was the only one he got) That's right. He didn't even have a non-obvious decision to make. Seriously. 4) on top of that also being very smart and dedicated I mean all due respect for this guy, but he is like a lottery winner explaining how to win the lottery. The path he's laying out existed at one point in the past, but it no longer exists. He even says that, that it was REALLY hard to see that path was a good path. In fact, most such choices lead to disaster (failed startups), not success. He "chose" by being obsessed with other things than the choice ... Well, perhaps the path still exists but it's gotten downgraded from "guaranteed multimillionnaire" to "good job, good living, good pay". Like factory worker in the 70s good living. That said, the guy is still incredibly smart and that was certainly a necessary condition for his success. So I guess you can't say it's 75% luck and 10% talent and 15% effort, it would be more accurate to say it was 100% luck and 100% talent and 100% effort. If any of those had been a mere 99%, it would not have happened. But for his path. It's cheaper and certainly easier just to buy a $100 mil lottery ticket.