Do you believe more in luck or hard work more, professionally (to get ahead)?

[Ultimatehero]

There's a lot of ways to get ahead. You can be born into it. You can be adopted into it. You can genuinely work hard. You can trample over people. Or you can luck your way into it. Do you believe getting ahead centers around the luck of the draw or just working hard?

I believe in luck. In my senior year of college I was already a intern at a big time production company that seemed like another family to me. My sociology teacher was telling us about how rare it is to truly get ahead in this world. One thing he seemed to drill into my head essentially was that I am where I am due to luck. I returned that summer with a script based on a hit property and the VP said if he didn't have a similar project in the works, he would have bought it. Ever since then they've started giving me more and more responsibilities. And they kept asking me what I'm working on, rather than me having to bring it up to them. Now, more recently I've found out one of my mentors is the child of a major film studio president.

I'm only 24. I have executives and a vice president interested in me. My first professional script, a VP wanted to buy. And now I have a mentor, many would do anything to have. And I got it through sheer luck. Sure, I worked hard. But, I've worked no harder than many. It's the connections that secured the safety net for me. Due to sociology class it makes me feel guilty at times. Like I got everything based more on luck - everything. Orphan adopted into a rich family from poverty, then adopted into the right film family, and all I did was watch. Due to this, I'm already planning on giving away most of my money to charities and orphanages because I don't think it would be right of me not to give something back.

In short - I believe in luck. Hard work may have gotten me to a point - but, if it wasn't for luck. I wouldn't be with the connections people strive for. I wouldn't be secure. Relatively speaking, I'm still just a kid. And somehow the second I graduated practically, I was slung-shot ahead.

So, which do you believe gets someone further? The luck of the draw or hard work?

 

[Spider-Who?]

I wouldn't call it luck myself, but right place, right time, certainly. Hard work and skill and creating connections is where you'll find "luck". Merely working hard (a blanket statement), or just having a natural talent wont get you anywhere.

 

[Optimus_Prime_]

Winners make their own luck, granted some people start further ahead than others.

 

[bell110]

You didn't build that. Somebody else made it happen.

 

[Sensi]

I believe sometime luck or being in the right place at the right time gets you there but hard work and positive attitude with a good personality keeps you there.

 

[terry78]

It's not hard work or luck, it's who you know.

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

combination of both, however you only have control over one (hard work) so focus on that one and the other should take care of itself.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

There are some people in this world who have the good fortune to be born into a successful life.

Their parents are rich and can pay for them to do whatever they want. Their family has connections, their friends have connections etc etc. Or maybe they just happened to be in the right place at the right time once, and it all spiralled from there.

And obviously no one should ever feel guilty because they used the tools available to them. No sane person would turn it down. But honestly, a lot of the time I feel jealous and completely defeated by that.

Because here I am. I was raised by my mum, who never worked my entire life, and doesn't socialise at all. I don't have much of a relationship with any of my family besides that. And I grew up in a tiny little country town. There is absolutely no opportunity for connections in ANY industry.

And i'm trying to make it in the city as a journalist.

I don't have any of that 'luck' you speak of.

But I tell you what, if I manage to succeed in my passion... I will be so much more proud of myself than if it was handed to me on a silver platter. Because it will be MINE. I will have earned it every step of the way

You're right though. The majority of the people that 'get ahead' in this world, were already ahead before they started.

 

[amazingfantasy15]

I think it's a combination of hard work, luck and who you know. I've got a friend that's done really well for himself. He grew up in a really small town, I met him in college, once done with college I put him in contact with a temp agency that got him his first job. Through a combination of getting on the right accounts, hard work and also making contacts with the right people both at work and in the industry he was able to rise through the ranks of the company quickly. Who you know, hard work and luck (right place, right time) separately only get you so far, putting all three together, the sky's the limit.

 

[terry78]

The only way I've see hard work pay off in the business world is if you literally impress them in a way they never have been before. Like some kind of savant.

 

[Mace Dolex]

The only way I've see hard work pay off in the business world is if you literally impress them in a way they never have been before. Like some kind of savant.

So I have to be like Dustin Hoffman's Rainman.

 

[actionavenue]

I think it's a combination of hard work, luck and who you know. I've got a friend that's done really well for himself. He grew up in a really small town, I met him in college, once done with college I put him in contact with a temp agency that got him his first job. Through a combination of getting on the right accounts, hard work and also making contacts with the right people both at work and in the industry he was able to rise through the ranks of the company quickly. Who you know, hard work and luck (right place, right time) separately only get you so far, putting all three together, the sky's the limit.

I would agree with your ideas on this subject, for the most part. Definitely, it's a combination of hard work and who you know. Hard work will only take a person so far, then if he or she knows powerful and well connected people within the industry, it stands to reason that this person will have the fast ticket to advancement (perhaps even over competitors who have just as much or more experience, skill and knowledge). I've observed it at companies I have worked for in my history. Now when it comes to luck, I don't know if I really believe in luck. I suppose it's possible, if luck exists at all, a person is lucky or blessed to know powerful, connected people. This obviously goes for individuals born into privileged families. I've worked hard all my life and because I am shy and somewhat reserved, I don't have the connections to powerful people in my surroundings. Not feeling sorry for myself here, because I do have a lot of good and wonderful things and people in my life, all I am doing is trying to illustrate my point with my own example.

 

[Ultimatehero]

This obviously goes for individuals born into privileged families.

I'd say here it also differs. One may be born into upper class status, but with parents who are rich in the oil business but nowhere in the film business or any other business. Thus, leaving their child to go out there alone still. That goes for me. I'm upper class, but from the suburbs across the globe from Los Angeles. Somehow I just got an internship into the right company with the right people and now just found out, as said, one of my mentors is the child of a top film studio. I honestly don't see what the odds of something like that happening are. From my experience of 'luck,' it's just always felt like something was watching over me. No idea what or why. But, that's where the guilt of being sling-shot comes from. As well as knowing people much older, with more experience, still without such ties. Which makes one question - why me? Brings a sense of responsibility to it too to try to live up to the chance one is given and make the most out of it for yourself and others.

 

[moviedoors]

The harder I work, the luckier I get."

-Samuel Goldwyn

 

[hopefuldreamer]

I'd say here it also differs. One may be born into upper class status, but with parents who are rich in the oil business but nowhere in the film business or any other business. Thus, leaving their child to go out there alone still. That goes for me. I'm upper class, but from the suburbs across the globe from Los Angeles. Somehow I just got an internship into the right company with the right people and now just found out, as said, one of my mentors is the child of a top film studio. I honestly don't see what the odds of something like that happening are. From my experience of 'luck,' it's just always felt like something was watching over me. No idea what or why. But, that's where the guilt of being sling-shot comes from. As well as knowing people much older, with more experience, still without such ties. Which makes one question - why me? Brings a sense of responsibility to it too to try to live up to the chance one is given and make the most out of it for yourself and others.

I don't want to offend you, but I have to wonder if you're really appreciating the headstart having money gives you in general in anything.

When you don't have to worry about where you're next meal is coming from, you're a lot freerer to explore your options and have things fall in your lap.

 

[E-Man]

There are many ways to get to where you want to go, but luck is by far the most likely scenario of getting ahead. Hard work is definitely possible, and it happens at times. The problem is that the Western world isn't built on those working hardest profiting the most. That is especially true now because companies are finding ways to pay employees less regardless of how much the productivity has increased. Here's an article that breaks it down further:
http://www.inthesetimes.com/working...roductivity_increases_but_wage_growth_declin/

Basically those in power do what they can to keep their lineage profitable while making it harder for other people to get in that spot. It's not saying that a person can't work hard and get ahead, or even be talented and make their way to the top. It's that the top is small, it's always been small, and as the years go by those at the top get better at staying on top. Not much room up there, and it's going to stay that way for a long time until a major revolution eventually comes and shakes things up. That's not some, "Woe is me. I'm middle class, and I am getting stepped on by the rich." It's just reality. Plus there are a ton of underhanded wealthy people ****ing over everyone that works for them. These companies have higher ups making record amounts of money while lowering the pay of the employees who get there. Of course they should make the most, but the majority of the workforce should be better represented in terms of compensation than what they are. I know someone is gonna come in here saying, "No one said that life was fair." Sure, but why shouldn't people who produce more get paid more?

The best bet is to save money. Have a set amount you want to save annually, and make sure you're in a position to reach that goal every year. Some people just love to buy things that they don't need often. If people sacrificed a bit, got a roommate, and then kept things low key for a few years they would be comfortable financially to do some of the things that they want to do. If a person saved $100 a month they would have $1200 saved up. If they do it for 3 years that's $3600 saved up to cover a lot. That's only $50 per paycheck. When you think about it that's not hard at all unless you aren't making much.

 

[redmarvel]

I hate to say it, but I think it takes connections. Meeting the right people and making the right impression on them will probably do more for you than either luck or hard work. You need to have the people skills and charisma to keep getting ahead. You can work hard, but if you're forgettable or not very nice you won't be considered for promotion.

 

[jonathancrane]

Hard work and networking are what lead to success.

 

[Ultimatehero]

I don't want to offend you, but I have to wonder if you're really appreciating the headstart having money gives you in general in anything.

When you don't have to worry about where you're next meal is coming from, you're a lot freerer to explore your options and have things fall in your lap.

Not offended. Just saying some people are born into it. Other people luck into it. I was born into upper class without having any film connections. Although being upper class got rid of a lot of other problems many others have to deal with such as college fees and etc. You can be born into a family of wall street brokers or you can be born into a family of wealthy business which can give you the head start needed to be in the 'right place, right time' to find the right person who can bring you to the top of their firm.

As said, I still have no idea how I got into any of this. I mean, I was born into poverty and adopted into the upper class. That alone makes me feel guilty of having lucked into a good family. As said, it feels like there's some plan that I need to figure out what it is (or might just be the orphan side of me adding that part no idea lol, it's just a lot like living in a movie or tv show - only way I can describe it).

 

[Hobgoblin]

I have no control over luck, so I dont even think about it. All I can do is work my hardest and hope that luck goes my way.

I go with work. Anyone can be lucky. Not everyone can work hard.

 

[WorthyStevens]

A little bit of both. Luck can help you get a great job. With hard work, you keep that great job.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

Not offended. Just saying some people are born into it. Other people luck into it. I was born into upper class without having any film connections. Although being upper class got rid of a lot of other problems many others have to deal with such as college fees and etc. You can be born into a family of wall street brokers or you can be born into a family of wealthy business which can give you the head start needed to be in the 'right place, right time' to find the right person who can bring you to the top of their firm.

As said, I still have no idea how I got into any of this. I mean, I was born into poverty and adopted into the upper class. That alone makes me feel guilty of having lucked into a good family. As said, it feels like there's some plan that I need to figure out what it is (or might just be the orphan side of me adding that part no idea lol, it's just a lot like living in a movie or tv show - only way I can describe it).

Thing is, you have absolutely no reason to feel guilty.

But I think just marvelling at you're luck isn't the best way to go about it. For one thing, it can come across to some bitter people who aren't as lucky as you as bragging or rubbing it in their face (I learned this the hard way, even my best friend has a hard time being happy for me if i've gotten somewhere further than her out of sheer luck and I keep banging on about it).

For another, you should see it more as an opportunity to prove yourself.

Yes, you've gotten this far mostly because of luck. But luck doesn't last forever, and you just gotta make damn sure that you don't waste it the opportunities you've found.

Like you said, it's a responsibility.

And I see all the things i'm grateful for as a responsibility too.

I mean I could say i'm lucky I was born in the UK rather than a slum in India. Or that i'm lucky to be a fairly intelligent person capable of getting good grades and advancing in education. Or that i'm lucky I don't have a debilitating illness that would completely stop me from ever achieving my dreams.

But at the end of the day, it's not about luck really. It's just about being grateful for the life you have.

Which it sounds like you are, and that's great

P.S. I know exactly what you're talking about, because I feel it a lot of the time too. Like there is something pushing me in the right direction and opening doors as I go. It's a strange sensation, but I try not to focus on it because if I do I get lazy and a bit cocky.

 

[knowsbleed]

I guess one person's version of 'lucky' is different from another's.

My version:

- I am lucky because I can support my children and myself with a good job
- I am not in jail
- I am healthy and fit and am able to stay that way because I don't have a bad back, knees, etc.
- I have shelter that I can call my home
- I have healthcare for my family
- I know that if something happens to me, my family will be taken care of
- I have all these things that others don't... everything else is just a bonus

Do I work hard for all this? Yes, but I've seen harder workers than me get kicked in the sack by life, and I'm still here. Hope I just didn't jinx myself.




Disclaimer: *whew* That should take care of Thanksgiving this year.

 

[akj2o29]

I like to believe in hard work, but luck seems to be the thing for me as of late..

I not sure what luck truly is so I will look up the definition and concept ofn luck.

 

[Poeman]

you dont need hard work to be successful...I work hard, but I know I could do what some of my VP's do...Its time, networking, and luck/chance get you where you want to be headed