What is the number one reason why some people succeed in life?

[Spin Master]

Lets say you were asked to examine every person in history who has ever achieved something significant to the lives of millions. These people would range from Abraham Lincoln to Bill Gates to Martin Luther King, Jr. What would you say is the all-encompassing reason for their success?

What do they have that most people don't have?

[Sigene]

The desire to succeed

[Indistinguishable]

There probably is not any useful single factor...

[Lobsang]

Desire for Power?

[Spin Master]

Originally Posted by Indistinguishable

There probably is not any useful single factor...

Actually, I think we can both agree that the people who start from the bottom and work their way to the top consistently have "something" that the people who stay at the bottom don't have.

Just as gravity is said to be the main reason why objects fall to the Earth, I'm sure there must be one major factor that consistently moves people from rags to riches.

[atomicbadgerrace]

Originally Posted by The Liberator

Actually, I think we can both agree that the people who start from the bottom and work their way to the top consistently have "something" that the people who stay at the bottom don't have.

The desire to succeed is definitely a part of it, but there are plenty of folks out there who share that trait that will never amount to much.

IMO, the biggest reason most successful people are as successful as they are is pure luck. Being in the right place at the right time, knowing the right people, being lucky that someone else slightly better didn't come along... that sort of thing.

[Indistinguishable]

Originally Posted by The Liberator

Actually, I think we can both agree that the people who start from the bottom and work their way to the top consistently have "something" that the people who stay at the bottom don't have.

Just as gravity is said to be the main reason why objects fall to the Earth, I'm sure there must be one major factor that consistently moves people from rags to riches.

No, I don't think I will agree with that, except to the meaningless extent that they have in common the very fact that they rose to the top. I don't think there's a single common major causative factor in play for every case, though there may be a variety of useful-to-study commonalities nonetheless. Why do you think there is one?

If I were to ask "What is the single reason why some people attend college whereas others don't?", I would likely be told "Well, there isn't any one globally applicable thing...". Why should this be different?

[Vox Imperatoris]

The desire not to merely be happy and have a contented life, but to be better than everyone else. Sure, probability comes into play, but that's why they keep going instead of taking their chips and going home. But this is why Buddhist monks are rarely rich CEOs.

Valete,
Vox Imperatoris

[Peter Morris]

It ain't what you know, it's who you know.

Number one reason, no joke.

[Quasimodal]

Originally Posted by Peter Morris

It ain't what you know, it's who you know.

Number one reason, no joke.

Agreed

A combination of looks, intelligence, drive, and charm will form a person with strong goals, and the means to achieve them. Looks and charm help people to forge strong personal and professional relationships.

I think looks might be controversial, but I really think it gives people a huge boost of confidence.

[Spin Master]

Originally Posted by Indistinguishable

No, I don't think I will agree with that, except to the meaningless extent that they have in common the very fact that they rose to the top. I don't think there's a single common major causative factor in play for every case, though there may be a variety of useful-to-study commonalities nonetheless. Why do you think there is one?

If I were to ask "What is the single reason why some people attend college whereas others don't?", I would likely be told "Well, there isn't any one globally applicable thing...". Why should this be different?

Because someone who starts at the level of poverty will usually need some sort of well-defined purpose or a specific burning obsession to focus on in order to reach great heights whereas someone in college doesn't require any real desire to be there in the first place.

[Indistinguishable]

Why would it be the same one for all success stories, though (beyond just "Well, success is better than poverty, so I'd like me some of that")? That's where we disagree...

[Vox Imperatoris]

Oh, and this really, really, does not need to be in GQ.

Valete,
Vox Imperatoris

[Sage Rat]

There is no ONE reason. But there are three items of equal level:

1) Hard work
2) Skill
3) Luck

[Vox Imperatoris]

Originally Posted by Sage Rat

There is no ONE reason. But there are three items of equal level:

1) Hard work
2) Skill
3) Luck

I think #1, or rather, determination is still the main ingredient. While it's true that some (maybe even most) people just do not have the ability or the right circumstances, the overwhelming majority of people do not have the desire to push themselves everyday to gain what to them is a meaningless advancement over what they feel they need. The development of this feeling is usually called "settling down". People who do succeed are usually more concerned with the "He who has the most gold when he dies wins," rule than pure happiness.

Oh, and you can't bring the rich and decadent who were born into it into this. They haven't succeeded; they've just avoided total failure.

Valete,
Vox Imperatoris

[samclem]

Moving this to Great Debates.

samclem General Questions Moderator

[mswas]

Getting right back up after being knocked to the ground.

[mswas]

Originally Posted by Quasimodal

Agreed

A combination of looks, intelligence, drive, and charm will form a person with strong goals, and the means to achieve them. Looks and charm help people to forge strong personal and professional relationships.

I think looks might be controversial, but I really think it gives people a huge boost of confidence.

I think a lot of people who are good looking but don't believe they are can still be successful because people like being around people who are good looking.

[Starving Artist]

Perseverance.

[xanthous]

I think I'd almost have to say it's having the

confidence

to succeed that makes people succeed. I have at different points in my life had all kinds of determination or skill or connections or luck or what have you to succeed at some task or project or goal, but my utter lack of confidence has allowed me to give up on many opportunities at the smallest setback. And it seems like that's what sets me apart from others with the same (or similar) characteristics as me who do seem to succeed at what they try.

[tim-n-va]

I would think that the thing that keeps a lot of people from succeeding is not trying. It is easy to procrastinate, think of reasons that "they" won't let you be succesful, list all of the things that could go wrong.

That would mean the key thing to being successful is trying.

[ultrafilter]

The number one factor is circumstances. Number two is probably patience. Being able to delay gratification matters a lot.

[BrainGlutton]

Originally Posted by The Liberator

Just as gravity is said to be the main reason why objects fall to the Earth, I'm sure there must be one major factor that consistently moves people from rags to riches.

But that is not the question of the OP. It's asking about people who changed the lives of millions -- that includes those like Jesus, Buddha, Gandhi. Also Lenin, Stalin, Hitler. Also Newton, Darwin, Einstein.

[Vox Imperatoris]

Originally Posted by BrainGlutton

But that is not the question of the OP. It's asking about people who changed the lives of millions -- that includes those like Jesus, Buddha, Gandhi. Also Lenin, Stalin, Hitler. Also Newton, Darwin, Einstein.

Well, if that's the question, then I agree that there is no one factor.

Valete,
Vox Imperatoris

[don't ask]

Attitude. Having a set of values that you live by and acting in accord with them. It won't ensure that you end up with shit loads of money and stuff but it will keep you happy most of the time.

[B. Serum]

There's not one, there's four: skill + Work ethic + attitude + perseverance.

[Sage Rat]

Originally Posted by Vox Imperatoris

I think #1, or rather, determination is still the main ingredient. While it's true that some (maybe even most) people just do not have the ability or the right circumstances, the overwhelming majority of people do not have the desire to push themselves everyday to gain what to them is a meaningless advancement over what they feel they need. The development of this feeling is usually called "settling down". People who do succeed are usually more concerned with the "He who has the most gold when he dies wins," rule than pure happiness.

My coach instructor had a line which went that "Practice doesn't make perfect. PERFECT practice makes perfect."

Lots of people work hard. Lots of people hold down multiple jobs. But regardless of how hard you work, if you piss that money away and don't trust banks and so on and so forth, it doesn't matter. You have to have the basic understanding of how to make money, specifically within your field and if you are lucky enough to come up with an innovation in your field at the right moment, then you'll top out the chart.

There could very well be a plethora of businessmen who are both better at high powered business deals and strategy than Bill Gates and harder workers than him as well, but they'll likely still not be able to top Gates' fortune because the odds of being in the right place at the right time--to take over the OS market--is gone and not every industry can grow as big as that one did.

[HoboStew]

Malcom Gladwell's new book Outliers discusses this very topic. I haven't read it yet but will soon, he is an excellent writer.

[Vox Imperatoris]

Originally Posted by Sage Rat

My coach instructor had a line which went that "Practice doesn't make perfect. PERFECT practice makes perfect."

Lots of people work hard. Lots of people hold down multiple jobs. But regardless of how hard you work, if you piss that money away and don't trust banks and so on and so forth, it doesn't matter. You have to have the basic understanding of how to make money, specifically within your field and if you are lucky enough to come up with an innovation in your field at the right moment, then you'll top out the chart.

There could very well be a plethora of businessmen who are both better at high powered business deals and strategy than Bill Gates and harder workers than him as well, but they'll likely still not be able to top Gates' fortune because the odds of being in the right place at the right time--to take over the OS market--is gone and not every industry can grow as big as that one did.

Sure, but if Bill Gates had not been as determined, someone else would have filled that niche, and he would be a moderately wealthy software developer. Look at what happens to lottery winners and how fast they piss it away.

Valete,
Vox Imperatoris

[Spin Master]

Originally Posted by B. Serum

There's not one, there's four: skill + Work ethic + attitude + perseverance.

Prepare to have your mind blown.

I think the most consistent reason for success is a mixture of three things:

1. A definite and constructive life purpose worth being passionate about
2. Exploitation of strengths
3. Persistence

Just as nuclear fusion involves multiple atomic nuclei joining together to form a heavier nucleus that wouldn't exist otherwise, the main reason for success is the joining together of those three things 99% of the time. And it doesn't yet have a name.

[Indistinguishable]

Because it's just so much platitudinous fooferaw. I know I'm being somewhat snarky, but why would anyone's mind be blown by "Persistence is helpful"?

[Spin Master]

Originally Posted by Indistinguishable

Because it's just so much platitudinous fooferaw. I know I'm being somewhat snarky, but why would anyone's mind be blown by "Persistence is helpful"?

More importantly, a person wouldn't really have persistence if he or she didn't concentrate on one major purpose in life. If someone was indecisive about what he or she wanted to do, that person wouldn't persist in going anywhere. And how can a person break the habit of following the line of least resistance without using her or her unique strengths?

[Indistinguishable]

Thing is, we could come up with a million different short lists of important traits (as evidenced by this thread); none of these lists are so distinguished as to warrant the significance you seem to want to attribute them (comparisons to physical laws, surprise at lack of a name for the combination, appreciation as a mind-blowing discovery, etc.)

Discussing factors that often play into success can be worthwhile. Pretending there's some special master list is silliness.

[Voyager]

If you want a single reason, I'd say a good match of capabilities to the circumstances. This usually involves luck, but more importantly the ability to capitalize on the chances that nearly everyone gets. It also involves not shooting themselves in the foot. George Allen might have been on his way to the Republican nomination someday when he screwed up.

I can personally testify that getting in on the ground floor of an area is really helpful. But it isn't enough. Gates succeeded because he had some technical smarts, was smart enough to buy DOS, was smart enough to make a good deal with IBM, and was devious enough to smash competitors. Thats a lot of different skills in one person.

[Spin Master]

Originally Posted by Indistinguishable

Thing is, we could come up with a million different short lists of important traits (as evidenced by this thread); none of these lists are so distinguished as to warrant the significance you seem to want to attribute them (comparisons to physical laws, surprise at lack of a name for the combination, appreciation as a mind-blowing discovery, etc.)

Discussing factors that often play into success can be worthwhile. Pretending there's some special master list is silliness.

Sure, there's a master list for achievement. All someone needs to do is list the reasons that are consistently the most self-evident and exclusive to the super successful. For example, exploiting one's strengths is a much better answer than just being "nice."

[furt]

Originally Posted by xanthous

confidence

Beat me to it.

[Spin Master]

Originally Posted by furt

Beat me to it.

Confidence seems like a vague and meaningless term that people tell each other without really giving it second thought. Specifically, how could someone all of the sudden become confident?

[sovtawen]

Living in the right place.

I could be the smartest, most persistent guy in the world, but if I'm stuck in some third-world, totalitarian hellhole, my options are going to be severely limited. Likewise, if I live in a modern industrial democracy, I could (hopefully) still attain a nice standard of living without needing to be some kind of ubermensch.

[The Tao's Revenge]

Originally Posted by The Liberator

Confidence seems like a vague and meaningless term that people tell each other without really giving it second thought. Specifically, how could someone all of the sudden become confident?

Be believing in your self, believing you'll find a way to pull it off, and when the chance comes you'll do it.

How do you get that belief? By trying and dusting yourself off when you fail. Good judgment comes from experience, experience comes from bad judgment.

[Joey P]

I have a friend that just had $7000 hair plug surgery. He's absolutely convinced that his slightly thinning hair is what's keeping him from rising to the top at his company. Maybe that's it?

[Public Animal No. 9]

Originally Posted by HoboStew

Malcom Gladwell's new book Outliers discusses this very topic. I haven't read it yet but will soon, he is an excellent writer.

I've read a couple of reviews of the book, and one of the things he notes about Bill Gates is that he had the freedom and support to spend a tremendous amount of time working/playing with early computers, particularly programming them. That, combined with a relatively well connected family and being in the right place at the right time, added up to multiple billions of dollars. People who are highly successful at a given skill put in a tremendous amount of time learning and developing the skill. I have read (and I can't remember where) that the 10,000 hour threshold (of preparation) seems to be critical in distinguishing true experts from the rest of the crowd.

IMHO, the factors listed in the thread - perserverance, confidence, desire - all contribute significantly to a person's ability to become "great" (a highly overused term IMO). But there is usually some luck, some degree of being connected, and often some level of charisma. Many connections are a consequence of personal effort and ability, others are being born in the right family (think Eisenhower vs. Kennedy). I doubt that Einstein's looks or luck had much to do with his successes. It's hard to say about connections - what if he hadn't been able to attend university because he didn't have the right status or live in the right place?

Too many different reasons why various people are "successful," in my view, so I don't see that there is a single factor.

[Sage Rat]

Originally Posted by Vox Imperatoris

Sure, but if Bill Gates had not been as determined, someone else would have filled that niche, and he would be a moderately wealthy software developer. Look at what happens to lottery winners and how fast they piss it away.

Valete,
Vox Imperatoris

You're making my point.

I said that you need some amount of all three of the items, not just any one. The specific ratios will vary per person, but you will never make it without a touch of each of them.

[fisha]

The ability to fake it.

Stubbornness.

The ability to focus.

The ability to surround yourself with really good people.

Deep pockets.

The personality to always ask questions, always wonder why, always strive to improve.

[cosmosdan]

I'm not sure there's a number one reason but I'd say perseverance is important. The ability to make mistakes, fall down, get hurt, and get up and keep going after a goal.

I'd say the wisdom to see the opportunity and the courage to seize it when it happens.

[Rigamarole]

I've written a book that will tell you the answer to this very question. Please send me $29.95 (check or Paypal is fine) to receive a copy.

[Vox Imperatoris]

Originally Posted by Sage Rat

You're making my point.

I said that you need some amount of all three of the items, not just any one. The specific ratios will vary per person, but you will never make it without a touch of each of them.

I think we mostly agree. I'm just saying that determination (and very importantly, valuing the "goal") matters more than the other ones, i.e. that someone with a higher degree of it will be more successful than someone with a corresponding lower degree of one of the other two.

Valete,
Vox Imperatoris

[Vox Imperatoris]

As an example of what I'm talking about, look at people who become teachers. They will never be successful, in this thread's sense of the word. They don't want to be successful; they want to be teachers.

Valete,
Vox Imperatoris

[Der Trihs]

Originally Posted by The Liberator

What do they have that most people don't have?

Luck. Connections. Determination. Ruthlessness. Or some mix of them.

[Scruloose]

1. A good work ethic

2. A little common sense

3. Some intelligence

4. A little luck. Not required, but it certainly helps

ETA: 5. The knowledge that success is relative

[ExTank]

Originally Posted by Joey P

I have a friend that just had $7000 hair plug surgery. He's absolutely convinced that his slightly thinning hair is what's keeping him from rising to the top at his company. Maybe that's it?

There is a study that essentially says, the taller you are, the further you'll go.

Your friend may be on to something.