I ask this because I sit and think sometimes how do people seem so damn lucky or good? Whats the secret? Think about it. Do you EVER, EVER, EVER hear of someone successful answer these questions with a straight answer? Questions like: How did you get to where you are in life? What does it take to make it in life? and the most avoided question of all What would you advise someone who wants to do what you are doing? Its always the same freakin answers. "It takes hard work" they say. Or something like "Keep following your dreams and you will make it". Thats crap also. What about "I thought of giving up so many times but kept going when times were tough". Its so frustrating. When I see an interview with these successful people, they NEVER give you a blueprint to follow. Its always the same cliches. Work hard. Keep going after your dream. Never give up. S**t, I work harder than most people. I dream and follow them like many people. And many of us do. But I ain't got no satisfaction from my life yet except my family. And that is a blessing from God, not Satan. I just think alot of these people avoid telling the world the real reason they hit 100 homeruns at age 40. These stories on how they made it from some small island in the Pacific, found 3 dollars in a milk carton and turned that into a media empire just don't fly. How the hell can you tell me that its all about hard work? Its not luck either because there are too many people that are lucky in this world then. I sure as hell don't fall for that. So, I think they sell their soul to Satan. Really. I remember a scene from an old Eddie Murphy movie where Satan or one of his generals ask Eddie "Do you ever think about how people with less talent than you have the world at their feet?" Or how Al Pacino offers everything to Keanu Reeves in exchange for having sex with a beautiful woman and get her pregnant. That happens to me about 3 times a year. My point is that people like Pauly Shore, Micheal Bolton, MC Hammer, NSYNC, and especially Bob Costas get to be so damn big its sick. These no talent holes have what over me? Over most of us? And Vanilla Ice? Need I say more? And how do people who actually have talent get to be mega, mega successful? Its like unthinkable to me how Bill Gates went to IBM 20 years ago and offered to sell them DOS and they said no. He goes on to be Rockefeller of the new millenium? How is that possible? How can the stars align so right for him? Warren Buffet says "The keys to my success is to buy stock in companies I believe in and whose products I use. If you do it, you will be successful also." Let see, I had stock in Cisco, Microsoft, Coke, GE and Johnson and Johnson since 1992. My portfolio is down 66 percent of the peak I had in 1999. I dont see me sitting in the front row of a basketball game there Warren! And Osama? God, he kills 3 thousand people and escapes. He could be dead. He could be alive also. How the hell does someone like that get to have 350 mil and use it for such evil? And the man is probably still out there? People like Abraham Lincoln do so much for our country and he gets shot in the head!? So does JFK! Roosevelt is leading our country through the worst times and all of a sudden, he gets stricken with polio? John Lennon talks about peace and gets killed. So does MLK. So, I guess they didn't sign that contract, eh? Hard work my asparagus. I got your dreams right here! I tell you what it is. Its Satan. He got them to sign the contract. So, let me ask you. If he came a-knocking and offered the world to you, would you do it? Would you sign on the dotted line? Cuz alot of people apparently have. That way, you can be on tv and give me the same bs they do. Its all about hard work. I need to increase my weekly hours.
I don't believe there is such a thing as Satan, so if someone came to my house claiming he was the devil and asking me to sign something, I'd probably call the cops. As far as being successful, there are blueprints all over the place. Hell, read an Anthony Robbins book -- he lays it all out in black and white. But the first step is that you have to decide what success means for YOU and YOU alone. You will never achieve what Bill Gates has, because you're not Bill Gates. Similarly, he'll never be what you are, because he's not you. Your measure of success has to be meaningful to you and you alone.
I think most of it is right place right time. Also, it is the people that take a risk that are the most successful. You can not be afraid to fail, because frankly most people fail a few times before making it. Bill Gates could not have seen the PC revolution, but he took the risk and opportunity and made it work. There is some luck involved too, but mostly, I think this is what it is.... Watching successful people and see what they do right, and watching what others do wrong. Pay attention to what is happening around you and NEVER close the door on anyone, as they may offer you an opportunity of a lifetime. And when that opportunity hits you, you have to take the chance to make it work. DaDakota
I've been telling people I worship satan lately (which I of course don't) to stir things up. It's quite amusing, some of you should try it. Several of my friends were shocked, many others weren't.
Thanks Anti-Sonic! And how does Anthony Robbins know so damn much and if it was so right, why doesn't he sell more books than EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEVRYBODY else? That "look inside you" mombojumbo he gives means what? I like my life the way its going. Don't get me wrong. Its just that the really big people in life give these cornball answers that I wonder if they are hiding something.
Almu - maybe he doesn't sell more books because there are people like you who are doubters? Tony Robbins may not do it for everyone but I think DaDakota said it best and it's worth repeating: "...most of it is right place right time. Also, it is the people that take a risk that are the most successful. You can not be afraid to fail,..." To paraphrase the cliche -"You can't hit a game winning homerun if you'rs sitting on the bench." Since BBall is my favorite, this one is on my 'fridge - "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take". DaDakota also mentions luck. That's how a no talent like Pauley Shore got there... his mother owned a famous LA comedy club. There's a reason "networking" is such a big buzzword. A major part of success is selling yourself. It may be easier for the Pauley Shore's of the world, but it has to be done. OK, I'm being a little "preachy" so I'll stop here. I can't say it any better than DaDakota except to add what is on my mouse pad - "Success is a journey, not a destination".
In summary, you have to have talent, vision, looks, strong work ethic, and/or luck. Many successful people have all 5. Some may be lacking one or two. Since I believe luck always factor into it...then I firmly believe you have to have at least 2 of those traits to be successful. Minorities, unfortunately, have the deck stacked against them moreso than your typical Anglo-Saxon(ask Sidney Poitier)...they may require at least 3 or more of those traits to offset the unfairness in the world. So, when someone asks a star or famous person how they made it, then I firmly believe my answer works best. They just haven't thought about it enough to say anything more than "God was on my side" or "work hard...dreams do come true". Surf
"If I was Faust, I'd do the deal and then drill that Ol' Devil in the ass. What would you do Johnny?" "I've already done it."
I used to think Jordan sold his soul to the devil, but after this year I realize he was just a lucky guy whose luck finally ran out. On the other hand the fact that Carrot Top, Pauly Shore and other losers like that have a job convinces me that the Devil is making some deals and he isn't playing any favorites.
