T or F. To make it to the top is 50% what you accomplished, 30% playing the game, and 20% luck (right place right time)

[Anonymous]

No such thing as luck

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Disagree.

25% skill / talent
25% EQ
50% who you know or were born to.

This is such BS and an excuse for your own failures. Knowing people is a very, very limited impact on your career, at least relative to being good at your job or good at people stuff. At best, knowing people gets you in the door but doesn't ensure a career. After that, it's on you to make sure you meet the right people to ensure your success long term.

DP and I don't know if I would allocate it that way (I think it depends on the industry and the person) but I think who you know matters a lot more than you realize. I used to think the way you do -- that at the end of the day it comes down to whether or not you are good. Now I'm older and realize it's more complex.

I went to public schools all the way through college. Good schools, and I did very well. In graduate school I made a set of friends, many of whom had gone to private schools, including especially elite prep high schools. They also mostly went to private colleges, but it was the prep school thing that really stood out. Because here's the difference between going to one of those schools and going to, like me, just a solid suburban public high school: if you walk into a room of 100 decision-makers in in law, finance, and many corporate industries, at least some of them will have gone to one of those prep schools and none of them will have gone to my high school. Which means the person from one of those schools is going to have something in common with at least a few people in that room, whereas I will not. Now, I can work to develop other connections. I went to a very elite graduate school, I have good social skills, I know how to work connections. But I recognize that there is no way for me to have those kind of deep connections that people who come from similar families and went to similar schools will have. It's just the reality.

I wouldn't say it's held me back, exactly, but I can see how it eases things for my friends with that background. There is just a familiarity, comfort, and confidence that will never exist for me. I always have to prove myself. They will more often get the benefit of the doubt. It matters.

You’re talking about a shared elite background that’s relevant to maybe less than one percent of people - snooty private schools. You yourself managed to work hard and get into good colleges and grad schools, where you had the opportunity to create new kinds of those relationships. So you got those relationships from working hard (in school) and if you were clever, investing in those relationships. They were there for the taking, and presumably helped you in your career. If we’re talking about success metrics on average, the fact that you went to a frou frou private high school impacts an extremely small percent of people. The rest of the world meets people based on their own accomplishments and hard work and luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As someone who is worth >$15M before 40,

40% luck
40% accomplishments
20% playing the game

We’ve worked very hard, gone to the right schools, intentionally picked lucrative careers (think tech, finance, law), but sheer dumb luck really played a factor. A few anonymized examples

- getting on the PE wave of the late 00s
- pivotal, high profile roles that opened up just as we were looking to pivot
- sponsors who initially shared personal interests and therefore propelled careers

Do I enjoy every moment of my affluent lifestyle? Yes.

Do I also give back a lot because I know how differently things could have turned out? 100%

I respectfully disagree. Reaching the top 0.1% often comes down to a mix of factors: roughly 50% Emotional Intelligence (EQ), 5% hard work, and 45% simply being in the right place at the right time. I reached a net worth of $30M before turning 35, and I’m now 40. How did it happen?

I started in 2010 as an IT helpdesk support tech making $50K a year. My company hosted two corporate golf events annually, and as a former D3 golfer, I signed up without thinking much of it. I happened to play exceptionally well and was invited back—this time paired with the CIO and CEO. I used that opportunity to ask how they built their careers, and they shared invaluable advice. Before long, they invited me to play golf with them privately. A year later, I was promoted to Senior Director of Helpdesk Support—something that would not have happened without those personal connections.

When the CEO and CIO later left for another company, they brought me with them and gave me a VP role in IT Operations, along with stock options. They also introduced me to other executives across the industry. After five years, I leveraged those connections to join a startup as a VP and received substantial stock options. Four years later, the company was acquired by Apple, and those options fully vested, pushing my net worth to $30M before age 35.

Am I exceptionally talented? Absolutely not. Was I lucky? Absolutely. My point is that success often comes down to luck and relationships much more than hard work alone. It’s not always about what you know, but who you know—and who knows you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:50% playing the game, 30% luck and 20% accomplishments.

+1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who is worth >$15M before 40,

40% luck
40% accomplishments
20% playing the game

We’ve worked very hard, gone to the right schools, intentionally picked lucrative careers (think tech, finance, law), but sheer dumb luck really played a factor. A few anonymized examples

- getting on the PE wave of the late 00s
- pivotal, high profile roles that opened up just as we were looking to pivot
- sponsors who initially shared personal interests and therefore propelled careers

Do I enjoy every moment of my affluent lifestyle? Yes.

Do I also give back a lot because I know how differently things could have turned out? 100%

I respectfully disagree. Reaching the top 0.1% often comes down to a mix of factors: roughly 50% Emotional Intelligence (EQ), 5% hard work, and 45% simply being in the right place at the right time. I reached a net worth of $30M before turning 35, and I’m now 40. How did it happen?

I started in 2010 as an IT helpdesk support tech making $50K a year. My company hosted two corporate golf events annually, and as a former D3 golfer, I signed up without thinking much of it. I happened to play exceptionally well and was invited back—this time paired with the CIO and CEO. I used that opportunity to ask how they built their careers, and they shared invaluable advice. Before long, they invited me to play golf with them privately. A year later, I was promoted to Senior Director of Helpdesk Support—something that would not have happened without those personal connections.

When the CEO and CIO later left for another company, they brought me with them and gave me a VP role in IT Operations, along with stock options. They also introduced me to other executives across the industry. After five years, I leveraged those connections to join a startup as a VP and received substantial stock options. Four years later, the company was acquired by Apple, and those options fully vested, pushing my net worth to $30M before age 35.

Am I exceptionally talented? Absolutely not. Was I lucky? Absolutely. My point is that success often comes down to luck and relationships much more than hard work alone. It’s not always about what you know, but who you know—and who knows you.

Your case is almost 100% luck, because you were lucky enough to be born into an existence to be a D3 golfer. So few people even have that chance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who is worth >$15M before 40,

40% luck
40% accomplishments
20% playing the game

We’ve worked very hard, gone to the right schools, intentionally picked lucrative careers (think tech, finance, law), but sheer dumb luck really played a factor. A few anonymized examples

- getting on the PE wave of the late 00s
- pivotal, high profile roles that opened up just as we were looking to pivot
- sponsors who initially shared personal interests and therefore propelled careers

Do I enjoy every moment of my affluent lifestyle? Yes.

Do I also give back a lot because I know how differently things could have turned out? 100%

I respectfully disagree. Reaching the top 0.1% often comes down to a mix of factors: roughly 50% Emotional Intelligence (EQ), 5% hard work, and 45% simply being in the right place at the right time. I reached a net worth of $30M before turning 35, and I’m now 40. How did it happen?

I started in 2010 as an IT helpdesk support tech making $50K a year. My company hosted two corporate golf events annually, and as a former D3 golfer, I signed up without thinking much of it. I happened to play exceptionally well and was invited back—this time paired with the CIO and CEO. I used that opportunity to ask how they built their careers, and they shared invaluable advice. Before long, they invited me to play golf with them privately. A year later, I was promoted to Senior Director of Helpdesk Support—something that would not have happened without those personal connections.

When the CEO and CIO later left for another company, they brought me with them and gave me a VP role in IT Operations, along with stock options. They also introduced me to other executives across the industry. After five years, I leveraged those connections to join a startup as a VP and received substantial stock options. Four years later, the company was acquired by Apple, and those options fully vested, pushing my net worth to $30M before age 35.

Am I exceptionally talented? Absolutely not. Was I lucky? Absolutely. My point is that success often comes down to luck and relationships much more than hard work alone. It’s not always about what you know, but who you know—and who knows you.

Your case is almost 100% luck, because you were lucky enough to be born into an existence to be a D3 golfer. So few people even have that chance.

+1. Most people really discount how much luck is a factor -- meaning the luck of being born in the US to an affluent family. Life is really 95% luck, 4% playing the game, and 1% hard work, but people don't want to believe that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who is worth >$15M before 40,

40% luck
40% accomplishments
20% playing the game

We’ve worked very hard, gone to the right schools, intentionally picked lucrative careers (think tech, finance, law), but sheer dumb luck really played a factor. A few anonymized examples

- getting on the PE wave of the late 00s
- pivotal, high profile roles that opened up just as we were looking to pivot
- sponsors who initially shared personal interests and therefore propelled careers

Do I enjoy every moment of my affluent lifestyle? Yes.

Do I also give back a lot because I know how differently things could have turned out? 100%

I respectfully disagree. Reaching the top 0.1% often comes down to a mix of factors: roughly 50% Emotional Intelligence (EQ), 5% hard work, and 45% simply being in the right place at the right time. I reached a net worth of $30M before turning 35, and I’m now 40. How did it happen?

I started in 2010 as an IT helpdesk support tech making $50K a year. My company hosted two corporate golf events annually, and as a former D3 golfer, I signed up without thinking much of it. I happened to play exceptionally well and was invited back—this time paired with the CIO and CEO. I used that opportunity to ask how they built their careers, and they shared invaluable advice. Before long, they invited me to play golf with them privately. A year later, I was promoted to Senior Director of Helpdesk Support—something that would not have happened without those personal connections.

When the CEO and CIO later left for another company, they brought me with them and gave me a VP role in IT Operations, along with stock options. They also introduced me to other executives across the industry. After five years, I leveraged those connections to join a startup as a VP and received substantial stock options. Four years later, the company was acquired by Apple, and those options fully vested, pushing my net worth to $30M before age 35.

Am I exceptionally talented? Absolutely not. Was I lucky? Absolutely. My point is that success often comes down to luck and relationships much more than hard work alone. It’s not always about what you know, but who you know—and who knows you.

Your case is almost 100% luck, because you were lucky enough to be born into an existence to be a D3 golfer. So few people even have that chance.

+1. Most people really discount how much luck is a factor -- meaning the luck of being born in the US to an affluent family. Life is really 95% luck, 4% playing the game, and 1% hard work, but people don't want to believe that.

You don't have to be born in the US to be lucky, but agree that making it to the top is 95% luck.

[Anonymous]

I'd say it's 98% luck, 1.5% playing the game, and 0.5% what you've accomplished.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd say it's 98% luck, 1.5% playing the game, and 0.5% what you've accomplished.

This is Elon Musk to a tee.

[Anonymous]

Trump is 99% luck, 1% playing the game, 0% what he's accomplished.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your reaction? And let's call playing the game who you know.

50% (at least) playing the game. I’m sorry to say it but only suckers think hard work will get them anywhere. Look at Donald Trump. I mean - it’s all about messaging, optics, and alliances. You DO need to be able to do your job, but that’s the easy part IMO. Anyone at that level is smart enough to complete the necessary tasks. It’s the relationships and the self-advocacy and the reputation management that’s the hard part.

Also - don’t piss off the wrong person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who is worth >$15M before 40,

40% luck
40% accomplishments
20% playing the game

We’ve worked very hard, gone to the right schools, intentionally picked lucrative careers (think tech, finance, law), but sheer dumb luck really played a factor. A few anonymized examples

- getting on the PE wave of the late 00s
- pivotal, high profile roles that opened up just as we were looking to pivot
- sponsors who initially shared personal interests and therefore propelled careers

Do I enjoy every moment of my affluent lifestyle? Yes.

Do I also give back a lot because I know how differently things could have turned out? 100%

I respectfully disagree. Reaching the top 0.1% often comes down to a mix of factors: roughly 50% Emotional Intelligence (EQ), 5% hard work, and 45% simply being in the right place at the right time. I reached a net worth of $30M before turning 35, and I’m now 40. How did it happen?

I started in 2010 as an IT helpdesk support tech making $50K a year. My company hosted two corporate golf events annually, and as a former D3 golfer, I signed up without thinking much of it. I happened to play exceptionally well and was invited back—this time paired with the CIO and CEO. I used that opportunity to ask how they built their careers, and they shared invaluable advice. Before long, they invited me to play golf with them privately. A year later, I was promoted to Senior Director of Helpdesk Support—something that would not have happened without those personal connections.

When the CEO and CIO later left for another company, they brought me with them and gave me a VP role in IT Operations, along with stock options. They also introduced me to other executives across the industry. After five years, I leveraged those connections to join a startup as a VP and received substantial stock options. Four years later, the company was acquired by Apple, and those options fully vested, pushing my net worth to $30M before age 35.

Am I exceptionally talented? Absolutely not. Was I lucky? Absolutely. My point is that success often comes down to luck and relationships much more than hard work alone. It’s not always about what you know, but who you know—and who knows you.

Your case is almost 100% luck, because you were lucky enough to be born into an existence to be a D3 golfer. So few people even have that chance.

Also would not have happened if PP were a woman. So there’s that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who is worth >$15M before 40,

40% luck
40% accomplishments
20% playing the game

We’ve worked very hard, gone to the right schools, intentionally picked lucrative careers (think tech, finance, law), but sheer dumb luck really played a factor. A few anonymized examples

- getting on the PE wave of the late 00s
- pivotal, high profile roles that opened up just as we were looking to pivot
- sponsors who initially shared personal interests and therefore propelled careers

Do I enjoy every moment of my affluent lifestyle? Yes.

Do I also give back a lot because I know how differently things could have turned out? 100%

I respectfully disagree. Reaching the top 0.1% often comes down to a mix of factors: roughly 50% Emotional Intelligence (EQ), 5% hard work, and 45% simply being in the right place at the right time. I reached a net worth of $30M before turning 35, and I’m now 40. How did it happen?

I started in 2010 as an IT helpdesk support tech making $50K a year. My company hosted two corporate golf events annually, and as a former D3 golfer, I signed up without thinking much of it. I happened to play exceptionally well and was invited back—this time paired with the CIO and CEO. I used that opportunity to ask how they built their careers, and they shared invaluable advice. Before long, they invited me to play golf with them privately. A year later, I was promoted to Senior Director of Helpdesk Support—something that would not have happened without those personal connections.

When the CEO and CIO later left for another company, they brought me with them and gave me a VP role in IT Operations, along with stock options. They also introduced me to other executives across the industry. After five years, I leveraged those connections to join a startup as a VP and received substantial stock options. Four years later, the company was acquired by Apple, and those options fully vested, pushing my net worth to $30M before age 35.

Am I exceptionally talented? Absolutely not. Was I lucky? Absolutely. My point is that success often comes down to luck and relationships much more than hard work alone. It’s not always about what you know, but who you know—and who knows you.

PP. Thanks, but it sounds like we are more in agreement than not. Congrats to you on the sale!

[Anonymous]

It’s more like:


To make it to the top is 20% what you accomplished, 40% playing the game, and 20% luck, 20% personal appearance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s more like:


To make it to the top is 20% what you accomplished, 40% playing the game, and 20% luck, 20% personal appearance.

I would add that playing the game involves inserting knives into backs and faking it/sucking up. Poor morals and no integrity helps a lot.