Why is it that the smartest kid in the class rarely becomes the millionaire? Perhaps because intelligence alone is not a determinant of success. Rather, it is a factor that has to be matched with others — like making the right choice:
Sure, the people who took TARP funds or created the Segway were smart, but they made some poor choices along the way. These people fall into the quadrant we call “unlucky”. They had the raw materials for success (brains), but couldn’t close the deal.
On the other hand, everyone knows that buying a lottery ticket is like flushing your money down the toilet (Losers), but for the lucky chump who actually wins, he made the right choice (we’d call him blessed).
Lastly, and most importantly are those in the upper right quadrant. Those are the titans of fame and fortune who were able to apply their brains at the right time with the right idea to be in the winner’s circle.
Up and to the right!
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Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
February 10th, 2009
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