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9 years ago

"-How luck works in becoming successful"

Successful people don't credit serendipity enough as a factor. But yet they mention it often. And if you pay attention when people talk about what led to their success, many times you'll hear how it played a part. Watch for it- you'll be astounded how it plays a major role. And just as astounded how it's downplayed.

I call it serendipity for lack of a better term. "Luck" is seen by many people as some kind of force. There isn't any such force. It's simply random happenstance, a chance occurrence.

So the idea of "the harder I work the luckier I get" is really a bit misleading. Working harder doesn't guarantee success. Working, period, is what puts you in a position to succeed if and when the circumstances occur which create an opportunity for success.

But even Trump admits he's not that brilliant that he can engineer it.

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DaniMc

9 years ago

Originally Posted by misterme

I call it serendipity for lack of a better term. "Luck" is seen by many people as some kind of force. There isn't any such force. It's simply random happenstance, a chance occurrence.

So the idea of "the harder I work the luckier I get" is really a bit misleading. Working harder doesn't guarantee success. Working, period, is what puts you in a position to succeed if and when the circumstances occur which create an opportunity for success.

While that may be true, I have to speak up with one caveat. You can absolutely harness luck to make sure you are a success.

The harder I work the luckier I get is usually interpreted as "do one thing and work your ass off until you get lucky" and I just have not found this to be fruitful.

How can one be lucky? Here's one way...

If you assume 9 out of 10 startups fail...you would have to be very lucky to pick the one that is right for you and will work out.

On the other hand, if you just start 10 different things, you have swung the odds in your favor.

Don't start 1 thing, start 10. Out of those 10, follow the one that is working best, and drop the others. It's a highly iterative process of failing fast and discovering what works for you. That's one way to harness luck.

The problem for most people, as I see it, is that they fail too slowly. Some people only fail twice in 10 years.

Hell, I've had 12-13 major failures (not sure, would have to do some digging) in the last 18 months. In the last 17 years - too many to count. When I was young and first starting, those failures crippled me. Now, they are just part of my growth.

I am in a constant process of making deals, creating things, forming and dissolving. The ones that work out, work out well. The ones that don't, I learn from.

I don't necessarily mean starting 10 different businesses either. If you are talking to enough people, finding out what THEY are trying to accomplish, you will find ways to collaborate with them.

If you are ALWAYS on the look out for a resource that someone else has, that you can use or help them use, you will never have a shortage of opportunity.

Yes - you need luck - and if you are moving quickly enough in enough directions, you can ensure that you will get lucky. Then you push hard on the areas where you are lucky, and use the same process to ensure you are lucky again.

I think this is what people really mean when they say "Follow your folly" - You are doing lots of things that interest you, failing forward, and chasing the lucky white rabbit down it's hole.

Yes - this requires a TON of 24/7 WORK. I mean really working your ass off. But hey, if you are doing things that interest you, you will not need as much time off.

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Claude Whitacre

9 years ago

Originally Posted by misterme

So the idea of "the harder I work the luckier I get" is really a bit misleading. Working harder doesn't guarantee success. Working, period, is what puts you in a position to succeed if and when the circumstances occur which create an opportunity for success.
.

Working hard is what revs the engine. Finding something that works is what engages the gears.

I believe in random chance. But we all have examples of success in every endeavor. Studying how they made it makes "Luck" unnecessary. Luck makes success easier...makes it happen faster....but I believe it's the person themselves that eventually makes their own fortune.

I'm not a huge fan of Donald Trump. But he's a worker. And you can be lucky...but not every day for decades. When you're 50 years old, it isn't luck, it's what you deserve. There are exceptions, but that's my experience.

Misterme; This post wasn't directed at you, but your post triggered the idea.

Originally Posted by BigFrank

Serendipity in Trump's case was being born into tremendous wealth. You don't get much luckier than that. Just my 2¢. Cheers. - Frank

And I was lucky because I hated being poor when I was growing up.

And you are lucky because you still have all your hair.

Unfair advantages all.

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dmaster555

9 years ago

I notice every time a thread like this comes up, someone points out the "luck" factor and makes pretty much the same statement. It is a true statement, but beaten to death by every "wise" guy who sees a success video.

So many people use that as a way to justify their failures and lack of motivation. If you look at the youtube comments, it seems many people completely ignored everything else he said and jumped to the luck portion.

Because that's the one thing they can't and don't have to blame on themselves.

I'm sure looking back, most, if not all successful people can realize some of their success was due to luck, but I doubt on their journey they were worrying about luck or that (big name) just got there due to luck.

If someone were to follow all the other "rules" and ignore the luck portion, they might not be a billionaire, but I bet they will be more successful than the average person.

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misterme

9 years ago

Originally Posted by dmaster555

I notice every time a thread like this comes up, someone points out the "luck" factor and makes pretty much the same statement. It is a true statement, but beaten to death by every "wise" guy who sees a success video.

So many people use that as a way to justify their failures and lack of motivation.

I sincerely trust you're not lumping me into that category.

Because I'm not using it to justify any failure or lack of motivation or anything.

I'm simply stating that while you 1. have to be in the game, and 2. be doing the right things, that 3. serendipity plays a larger role than most people will freely admit.

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BigFrank

Banned 9 years ago

Originally Posted by misterme

serendipity plays a larger role than most people will freely admit.

Serendipity in Trump's case was being born into tremendous wealth. You don't get much luckier than that. Just my 2¢. Cheers. - Frank

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KingOfContentMarketing

9 years ago

Originally Posted by BigFrank

Serendipity in Trump's case was being born into tremendous wealth. You don't get much luckier than that. Just my 2¢. Cheers. - Frank

True, I think I remember in "Art of the Deal" that his dad gave him $2 million to start his own investments. He bought an apartment complex in Cincinnati and he was off and running.

So he got a head start, but he took advantage of it and grew his company fast. More importantly, he is very good at promoting himself and the brand in the media. That's a unique ability and you don't see the same type of charisma in his offspring yet, but you never know.

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misterme

9 years ago

Originally Posted by KingOfContentMarketing

So he got a head start, but he took advantage of it and grew his company fast. More importantly, he is very good at promoting himself and the brand in the media

Absolutely. Serendipity landed him with a family business, but he's the guy who escalated it way up. And you see, his dad had the same business but didn't escalate it up. Same business, different results. Because serendipity is a factor, but not the only factor. Although it does appear to play a significant role in cosmic sized quantum leaps.

Just to get away from serendipity, here's something else he said that I believe is major to success:

About that trip he made to the owner of 40 Wall Street to pitch buying it from him. He said he didn't want to make that trip. But he went ahead and did it anyway.

And that's about doing things out of your comfort zone to attain success.

WAY too many people won't bother themselves to do things which may be "uncomfortable" for them. They say things like "it's not me." Or "if it's meant to be" or they assume the end before even trying.

But the fact is most things don't work straight out of the gate. And so that means if you just do what only comes comfortably or normally to you, chances are it won't be successful, and so that means you'll have to do something that's not you - if you want it to be successful. Follow me? You have to be willing to do stuff others wont do, and many times, that means it's stuff you'd rather not do too.

Anyone pick up another success principle he mentioned? He stated several.

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BigFrank

Banned 9 years ago

Originally Posted by KingOfContentMarketing

charisma in his offspring yet, but you never know.

Charisma? The guy has the personality of a Gila Monster and is universally loathed by everyone that has ever had any dealings with him.

You won't find many people on the planet with a kind word for Trump. I don't know if that matters in relation to this thread, but personally he's not someone that I would ever choose to emulate. I'd rather die a pauper than have people lined up to piss on my grave, but that's just me.

Cheers. - Frank

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trelli

9 years ago

Originally Posted by BigFrank

Charisma? The guy has the personality of a Gila Monster and is universally loathed by everyone that has ever had any dealings with him.

You won't find many people on the planet with a kind word for Trump. I don't know if that matters in relation to this thread, but personally he's not someone that I would ever choose to emulate. I'd rather die a pauper than have people lined up to piss on my grave, but that's just me.

Cheers. - Frank

So you have "personally" interviewed Everyone that has ever dealt with him?
Logic, and common sense, would lead me to believe that you are making a pretty mis-informed blanket statement... Any chance your own opinions of him might play a part in that bias?

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BigFrank Banned 9 years ago

Server error. Double post. Sorry about that. - Frank
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BigFrank

Banned 9 years ago

Originally Posted by trelli

So you have "personally" interviewed Everyone that has ever dealt with him?

No, but I have read enough about him and listened to enough of his drivel to form an educated personal opinion. We all possess that right, don't we? Whether we're accurate in our assessment, or not. Or, does my opinion of him have to agree with your opinion of him for you to think that I am correct in my personal opinion of the man?

Logic, and common sense, would lead me to believe that you are making a pretty mis-informed blanket statement... Any chance your own opinions of him might play a part in that bias?

Absolutely. Guilty as charged and no qualms admitting it. That's what makes the world go 'round. Anyone who claims that their own feelings about someone or something does not play a role in their opinion of same, is simply not being honest. We all have biases, whether we want to admit it, or not. Anyone who can form an opinion without personal bias entering into it, is a better man than me.

Forming an unbiased opinion is an extremely lofty goal. I try to grow each day. Maybe someday I will achieve that level of personal growth. Not today, though.

Cheers. - Frank

P.S. "Misinformed?" I don't think so.

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DaniMc

9 years ago

Originally Posted by BigFrank

No, but I have read enough about him and listened to enough of his drivel to form an educated personal opinion. We all possess that right, don't we?

I sincerely, genuinely hope that one day, I will build myself a multi-billion dollar empire, and people on various web forums are saying my words are "drivel."

At that point, I could sit back at one of my many homes, or maybe my huge jet, and know that I have made it. :p

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BigFrank

Banned 9 years ago

Originally Posted by Dan McCoy

I sincerely, genuinely hope that one day, I will build myself a multi-billion dollar empire, and people on various web forums are saying my words are "drivel."

What's drivel to one person may be genius to another. We all take in, interpret, evaluate and respond to what we encounter in life in our own unique way. Cheers. - Frank

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socialentry 9 years ago

Originally Posted by BigFrank

I'd rather die a pauper than have people lined up to piss on my grave, but that's just me.

Cheers. - Frank

Do you have enemies? Good. That means sometime, somewhere, you stood up for something in your life.-Winston Churchill

I don't even really like Trump. It's not someone I would really emulate either

But I think credit should be given where it is due. The man does have a fair amount of followers.
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- BigFrank Banned 9 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by socialentry
  
  Do you have enemies? Good. That means sometime, somewhere, you stood up for something in your life.-Winston Churchill
  
  Personally, I think that it's WHAT you stood up for that matters. Lots of people stood up to defend slavery. Do we admire them for standing up for that?
  
  But I think credit should be given where it is due. The man does have a fair amount of followers.
  
  So did Jim Jones and so does Charles Manson, to this very day.
  
  Cheers. - Frank
  
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KingOfContentMarketing

9 years ago

Originally Posted by BigFrank

Charisma? The guy has the personality of a Gila Monster and is universally loathed by everyone that has ever had any dealings with him.

You won't find many people on the planet with a kind word for Trump. I don't know if that matters in relation to this thread, but personally he's not someone that I would ever choose to emulate. I'd rather die a pauper than have people lined up to piss on my grave, but that's just me.

Cheers. - Frank

He does know how to generate awareness about his brand. As Grant Cardone says, one of the the biggest challenges most every business faces is invisibility.

Trump makes sure you know his name and brand. Yes, he does it with negativity, and he's always done it that way. He knows the media wants heat, not light.

You don't have to be negative, but the takeaway for me from watching Trump is you must be relentless in creating awareness and publicity about yourself, your goals and your brand.

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BigFrank

Banned 9 years ago

Originally Posted by KingOfContentMarketing

He does know how to generate awareness about his brand.

No doubt about that.

You don't have to be negative, but the takeaway for me from watching Trump is you must be relentless in creating awareness and publicity about yourself, your goals and your brand.

And a desire to not care about what people say about you after you are dead.

Cheers. - Frank

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Ignas LT 9 years ago

Great video, thanks for sharing
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shane_k

9 years ago

Originally Posted by KingOfContentMarketing

True, I think I remember in "Art of the Deal" that his dad gave him $2 million to start his own investments. He bought an apartment complex in Cincinnati and he was off and running.

So he got a head start, but he took advantage of it and grew his company fast. More importantly, he is very good at promoting himself and the brand in the media. That's a unique ability and you don't see the same type of charisma in his offspring yet, but you never know.

What happened was his dad owned the project in cincinnati and Trump managed it to prove to his father and the people in his fathers network that he could manage the investment, but it wasn't his. At that point Trump was just his father's employee, and not an actual investor.

His first deal was actually in Manhatten which he actually did on his own and the only thing that he got from his father was access to his network of experts, laywers, specialists, to help him out on the deal.

A lot of people mistake the cincinnatti deal as Trump's first.

I also find this funny because people always comment how Trump got money from this father as if this somehow negates Trumps success.

Sure being born into a rich family might have helped and given him a leg up but it was Trump who took things alot further than his father ever did. And that has to say something.

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Marvin Johnston 9 years ago

Originally Posted by BigFrank

Serendipity in Trump's case was being born into tremendous wealth. You don't get much luckier than that. Just my 2¢. Cheers. - Frank

And it is hard to get much luckier than winning the lottery. But the "reports" I've seen show most lottery winners are "broke" within five years or so.

Regardless, winning big like Trump has done is mindset, not luck.
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TheBigBee

9 years ago

Regrettably I listened to part 1. All he does is explain who his ideal employee may be.

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Marvin Johnston

9 years ago

I enjoyed listening to the first video.

In general, most of my reading/watching/etc. is to get an idea of how successful people build a team and deal with circumstances.

Much like the old saying in panning for gold... you go through a lot of dirt, but you are not looking for the dirt!

Marvin

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TheBigBee

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Marvin Johnston

I enjoyed listening to the first video.

In general, most of my reading/watching/etc. is to get an idea of how successful people build a team and deal with circumstances.

Much like the old saying in panning for gold... you go through a lot of dirt, but you are not looking for the dirt!

Marvin

Aw man then you gotta read "Steve Jobs" for "principled lessons." "The Intelligent Entrepreneur" is completely case study driven and does well to address this facet of biz dev.

I just lack respect for Trump in part because he develops crap, and he was a "birther" lol.

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bizgrower

9 years ago

I always liked the saying about how "Luck is where opportunity and preparation meet."

Dan

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celente

9 years ago

trump is an idiot.

I mean he goes around telling people to work hard, to get their money, when daddy handed it to him, and he had a choice of working or not.

Seriously, it takes money to make money, but he had it in the first place.

Plus he looks like a goldfish...I mean seriously! LOL

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socialentry

9 years ago

Originally Posted by celente

trump is an idiot.

I mean he goes around telling people to work hard, to get their money, when daddy handed it to him, and he had a choice of working or not.

Seriously, it takes money to make money, but he had it in the first place.

Plus he looks like a goldfish...I mean seriously! LOL

The initial armies of Alexander the Great were handed down to him by his father.

Ghenghis Khan was of noble blood (he was also a general at 13).

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shane_k 9 years ago

Originally Posted by celente

and he had a choice of working or not.

Exactly!

He had that choice

And he decided to work instead of being like a lot of other people who are born into rich families and don't do nothing with their lives.

For that choice alone I respect the guy.
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Magicalidea

9 years ago

You will success when you think and act like success man

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celente 9 years ago

Originally Posted by Magicalidea

You will success when you think and act like success man

I do agree, however there is more success in the doing than acting and thinking part, its implementing and taking action on plans that make money
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Get rich offline in 2014 with these tips from the Donald

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