As a conservative, I have to say, this is extremely reasonable advice coming from the left-of-center Brookings Institution. As someone in his sixties, however,

As a conservative, I have to say, this is extremely reasonable advice coming from the left-of-center Brookings Institution. As someone in his sixties, however, I would like to add that as much as we would like to believe in nurture over nature, it does seem that the biggest difference between those who thrive and those who don't is that some seem to lack the drive, the initiative to make things happen in their lives. If it is in your personality to be ambitious and optimistic, probably nothing can hold you back. For people with naturally passive personalities, you had better have been born with lots of external support. Life isn't fair, but as a conservative I am not in favor of enforcing equal outcomes for everyone. But just about everybody who "made it" in their chosen life's work can think of several people who reached out to give them a chance. Be that person if you can.