Just Lucky I Guess – Kitchen Table Talks

Awesome video and you are so right. Success is not luck. It is extremely hard work and sacrifice that alot of people are not willing to make and when they see someone else with it they say that person is so lucky. They do not see the behind the sences work that person is doing that makes them so successful.

WE are the lucky ones; to have someone like you on the internet sharing your knowledge and being an epic friend.

Anyway, this was awesome. As always it really feels like you capture their personalities, even though I don’t really know them 8D Loved that it just didn’t jump into the relationship, it gets kind of tiring reading about people falling in love after three paragraphs XD

I believe you are confused as to what luck is. I agree that tireless hard work is an important factor in having success, however, priviledge, ability, and luck (or the coincidences that happen during your life) also play a major role in what you do and how you succeed.

If you weren't lucky enough to have access to a computer, I doubt you'd be able to do what you do today.

People get caught up in the myth of a self-made man, when in reality, there is no such thing.

"I make my own luck." That's a phrase I've believed in completely. People say, "oh man right place, right time, you're lucky." Ummm...nope, I paid expenses to be there or I made the decision to be there I just didn't fall from the sky and "poof" something happened.

I was reading some of the responses on here and we all pretty much seem to agree. Winners commit, they fight for every inch they get. Sure some are more successful than others depending on our definitions of success, but nothing hinders us from achieving what we want to achieve (realistically speaking of course).

My 5th grade teacher said something that till this day I keep in mind when I'm trying to figure out how to do something. "There's more than one way to skin a cat." She said that more than anyone I ever knew, but it's reality folks, there's more than one road to your goal. Successful people take the time to find that path, complainers want the path pointed out to them.

Thanks for sharing Chris, you're so lucky! :)

I used to love Sugar Daddies, Joan.. Talk about breaking your teeth!!!! ha... AND there was one called "Bit-O-Honey" which I loved.. Those little brown and white things in your pictures were good too.. I remember I think they had peanut butter in them. Can't think of their name.I would never have noticed that capital "T" in the 2nd line if you hadn't had pointed it out.

Thanks for the video and outlining what it takes to be "lucky".

Chris, it almost makes me laugh to think that someone would call you "lucky". It is so clear that you work unbelievably hard and that we all are "lucky" that you share with great insights with us.

Thank you!

Hi Chris. Someone must have really tweaked you to prompt this posting. I don't come here every day but this one took me back a little. You were not your usual cheerful self.

If you ever get out to Detroit let me know. You can come stay at our wee hotel on us. I'm buying and it will have nothing to do with luck. You work your tail off and I want to thank you for making me think more efficiently.

Cal

So motivational, so simple - we're the lucky ones for being able to learn from you! Thanks for sharing! RT in progress! :-)

thanks for your sharing.so nice .http://www.ecougg.com

Well said!

I'm lucky I watched your video! It's our nature to be jealous of another's success and not recognize the effort it took for
them to get there. I've always been taught that we create our own luck through working hard.

Hi Chris - I don't comment much but I read everything you write. You never, ever have to apologize for or justify your success to anyone. Others who are successful know the hard work it takes. Keep up the great work.

"Illegitimi non carborundum"

Great video. It is not luck so many people do not realize what it takes to actually run a business, be a successful marketer or have a successful blog. I think this video helps people realize that you and many others are not just handed your "celebrity" so to speak you have earned every bit of it.

Chris, I am always amazed at how hard you work. And I know if I put in the hours, miles and energy that you do, I"d be "lucky" too. Keep doing what you do. Many of us benefit and appreciate it!

Luck is the result of preparedness for any situation...and Luck is a CHOICE.

A friend and mentor, Linda Toupin, would always remind those in her space of this very basic life truth: "You are where you are in your life today by the choices you made or allowed others to make for you.

Cheers,
Zane

i think some times people get a little too wrapped up with all the gadgets,yes a nice knife and some copper pans are all good,and a microplane. I confess i even have a paco jet at home (which is the best, fresh ice cream on demand) but i think it is the food being fresh, an educated imagination and enjoying what you are doing that is paramount.
smart lipo

Love it. The harder I work, the luckier I get. That, to me, says it all...

Holy Smokes CB
-it sure is a lot of work to be "lucky"!~
: )

Anyone who has followed you for any length of time knows that you work harder than almost anyone...harder, indeed, than many of us are willing to work. Those who aren't willing should never cast stones, and it makes me sad that you've gotten these kinds of comments. Life is too short not to rejoice in the success of others and admire the work it took them to get there. Especially when they give back as much as you do.

Hi Chris,

I'm betting there's an "interesting" story behind this post... It reminds me of when I started my business and two (now ex-) friends just kept saying how nice it was not to have to work. As if. But then, I guess that makes me lucky too.

Best,
Daria

This post reflects a basic truth - "Luck is the residue of diligence" (unknown)

You're not lucky, Chris...you just make choices and do the work involved.

Ten years ago when I became an at home mom, many of my peers said I was "lucky" I could be an at home mom. But it wasn't luck - it was choice. A choice that I made that involved great sacrifice. A choice I'd choose again in a heartbeat.

Thank you for all that you choose to do and share with us.

Heather

Keep up the good work. Luck doesn't just happen it takes place over time. Even if it were luck, as my teammate in 6th grade once mused . . . "Luck Counts." Collin Harbour

Chris,

I like your style. You did a great job explaining luck and hard work. Thanks for sharing.

I've always heard that "luck" is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

Luck, its 90% hard work, 5% inspiration and 5% divine

Hey Chris - well said. I think we all know of people who sit around doing nothing but whining about how well others have done well for themselves without acknowledging all the work that went into doing well.
Similarly we know people who want to crush the competition rather than work hard at establishing themselves and improving their own brand (products and services). It brings to mind Gary Vaynerchuks quick video on his facebook page a couple of days ago about all the work and effort can mean nothing if your product is crap... etc.,

You have a great brand (YOU) because you worked hard at it - you developed it and people have responded in the tens of thousands by subscribing to what you do...

Is that 'lucky' - nope! It's reward for all the hard work and all the 'giving' that you do! You earned it buddy.

Great video, this is so true. Luck comes from hard work. The more successful people I meet the more they tell me how hard they worked, and what they gave up for a short time to get where they are. To win at the game you have to pay the price before you get any of the glory.

I love this Chris. I totally do not believe in luck. About a year ago, I blogged on the same thing (http://letstalkpropertymanagement.com/perspecti...). The successful people I know have not relied on luck - they have focused on the right activities, worked on those tasks diligently and consistently, and have recognized, recruited, and rewarded the right helpers. Thanks for sharing the "secrets" to your success and for the reminder that work is required. :-)

Chris -- your words especially touched me. My wife's family routinely derides me for having had advantages when I was younger. My father was relatively successful, and I was blessed not to have to pay for college or grad school. As if that was my "fault."

Now, 20 years later, I own my own consulting firm. I have 12 wonderful people working for me and have fantastic clients and exciting work, as well as a wife and kids I adore. I also work 6-7 days a week, putting in north of 60 hrs per week. I never took a penny of money for our firm -- we are entirely customer-funded. I write, speak, lead, consult, teach -- busting my butt to make something exciting from what I just imagined could be, years ago.

Am I blessed, absolutely. I find the harder I work, the luckier I get. Not stupid work, but thinking, challenging, investigating. All of that is a privilege, a privilege I earned and earn again, each and every day.

Just like you. Well done.

Chris -

As usual you have shared something valuable with me and all your readers today. More than any other of your videos I've watched, this one does much more than share information and facts with your followers. Here you have opened yourself and shown your incredible commitment to what you do. You have the passion about your work that everyone dreams of finding.

Clear, articulate, and from the heart. You share much more than your ideas, you are also willing to share your feelings. This quality, when added to the list of what makes you 'lucky' is the key to building trust.

It amazes me how much people don't realize how much work and effort goes into becoming successful at anything.

I grew up on a farm and I used to feel pretty slated that in the summer I had to work from before the sun came up until after it went down while my buddies were playing around for the entire summer break. Now, I give thanks everyday for my Dad and for him teaching me work ethic and that if you want something in life you have to work for it.

Chris, we (your fans) are the lucky ones! We get to learn from your hard work and insight. I personally appreciate all that you do! You've earned your success and are willing to give back to others so they can follow in your footsteps. Thanks man!

Great Post Chris. I am one of the many who has been taking and taking from you without commenting back. I run a Personal Training business in Phoenix and it is because of you that I blog. Due to economics a lot of my fellow trainers have had to find a different career path. My business stays steady. What most people don't see is that I like others who are successful at running their own gig eat, sleep and breathe my work.

Lucky?? I've heard that too. But most people aren't waking up with me at 4:10 am to be ready for a 5:30 appt and then not walking back in the door until 7pm. Day after day.

Anyone that subscribes to your site knows how much info you put out on any given week. Sometimes I wonder how you have the time. Lucky??


In your words. "Thanks for doing good work"

Great Video Chris.


There are those who do work hard and don't get recognized but if they enjoy doing what they do they may not really want to be that recognized anyway.

Some of us do it because we enjoy doing whatever it is we do and really don't need the praise of others though it would be a nice bonus.

I guess we as people should ask ourselves why are we in the game in the first place, what do we want out of the game and then create the necessary steps to go get what you want.

Not all of us enjoy being in the spotlight either but we enjoy the interaction from friends who we found along the way. That in itself is enough for me.

I've found those who are considered "lucky" are the ones who create their own "luck"

Luck comes to those willing to toss the dice in the game of life.

Hey "Mr. Lucky"

I love what you do and it's obvious to me all your hard work is more than just pure luck! Keep up the great work and we (your audience) will be the lucky ones! Thanks for sharing this today as I'm striving to get to that lucky stage too one day!

Hey "Mr. Lucky"

I love what you do and it's obvious to me all your hard work is more than just pure luck! Keep up the great work and we (your audience) will be the lucky ones! Thanks for sharing this today as I'm striving to get to that lucky stage too one day!

Opportunities are always present. The difference is whether you are ready to take action or not. When looking from the outside in, people only see a small part of the whole picture and are quick to make judgments. It is similar to an iceberg, only seeing the 30% above water and missing the 70% below water. For those of us who appear to be "lucky" there is a lot going on behind the scenes to get to the next level of success. As you pointed out with the daily tasks you do, it takes inspiration, strategy and implementation. Instead of waiting for opportunities to appear, I am creating my own opportunities for success.

If there is one thing I have learned from you is that you are not lucky at all, you are working everyday to make sure that your message gets out and in a very calculated way. I just wish there was a few of you to go around, maybe even one in my back pocket to get me through this growing phase of my business.

Wow. I'm verklempt....Talk amongst yourselves....while I gather myself.
Your video has me in a tailspin. It hits very close to home.
My peers consider me 'lucky.' From now on, I'm going to use the line "What are you not sacrificing that I am?"

It's odd that some areas of accomplishment don't earn a person respect, but others do. I'm a senior martial arts instructor and third degree black belt. That alone says a lot to people. But here you are, working your butt off more daily than I ever did to attain my rank, and some think you are just lucky. From what I see, you are at a master level at what you do and masterly generous in your mentoring via your blog and newsletter and in passing on what you know. That can't come overnight in any realm. That can't be faked. That will, however, bring out those who pout out the lip and whine. Naysayers are pesky, but they gain power when acknowledged. Sometimes you just have to remember this Dr. McCoy quote in Star Trek: "What the Klingon has said is unimportant, and we do not hear his words."

This video ranks right up there with Zig Ziglar's Setting Goals #2/3. Great job, Chris, for saying something that needs to be said! Five Gold Stars. The problem is you're singing to the choir. The rest of the congregation shows up on Sunday to confess, expecting that alone to save them. They missed this Saturday sermon.

Great video, Chris. The thing that struck me as funny here is that someone said how you're so lucky because people send you books. The barrier of entry for review copies from publishers is exceedingly low (as it should be, for the most part).

If the person asking this had a blog that was regularly updated (and I mean once a week, even), there is a fair chance that a publisher would send them a review copy for a book they were legitimately interested in and promised a review of.

Thanks,

Patrick

It takes more work to make things seem "simple" or appear effortless. You do a great job at this!

As a book publicist folks tell me how easy it looks, saying "I could do that." And well they could! It just takes time, work and tenacity. Did I mention creativity? Thanks for addressing this issue, Chris.

PS. Seeing you speaking from a car reminds me of Black Cab Sessions. One song. One take. One cab. Totally cool. www.blackcabsessions.com

Love this Chris! I wrote a past post on "overnight success" and how it usually takes years of hard work. Thanks for sharing and keeping us focused on what it really takes.

it's definitely true that the harder you work, the luckier you get! People's misplaced focus allows them to deflect from the their own fear and laziness. I look forward to seeing more on Third Tribe.

Hi Chris,

Love this post.

I grew up in a town of 2500 people. I left when I was 18 and have worked hard every day to have the life I have.

Many people from that community call me lucky too.

The people who choose to call others lucky are lazy. The people who know it takes hard work are busy doing instead of casting the lucky stone.

Thanks for sharing and kudos to you for your success, you have worked hard for it, and shared much with many along the way.

Lisa

Someone reminded me of this great phrase the other day while I was visiting Kansas City: "You have to go more than 75 miles away from home to be a prophet." It's something very true in the speaker's world, but also translates well in the "what you are versus what you were growing up" story.

Thanks for the comment, Lisa.

Great post. Sadly, those who don't "get" what you're saying will continue to call you... LUCKY.

I wouldn't have even dignified this type of comment with a response. People throw around "luck" when they are jealous, particularly when they are unaware of their jealousy. We're all lucky and we're all unlucky in different ways. And you're right, a lot of it has to do with how you play your cards.

I'm less lucky in that regard than other people. I tend to feel things a bit deeper, so tend to comment.

Chris, while I agree that a critical ingredient to success is hard work, I believe that it is a bit arrogant not to acknowledge that luck plays a role in success. I don't mean to diminish your hard work but there are many smart, tireless workers whose hard work did not lead to serendipity. "You're lucky" is probably the wrong way to look at your success but to deny luck is to diminish the value of the hard work of others who have not achieved the level of success that you have -- many people work just as hard as you. Do you really deny that luck has played a role in your success?

Sometimes success still just "happens." But it is also true that the harder we work, the luckier we get.

Case in point: A recent Chris Brogan Kitchen Table Talk at AJ Bombers has caused the owner of that restaurant to be the focus of a huge national viral buzz that is already reaping a huge benefits for him. The irony was that Chris' visit to town created more buzz for AJ Bombers than it did for the local agency that worked hard and paid the money to bring Chris to town.

The owner of AJ Bombers obviously has worked his butt off to make his place successful. Huge effort went into building up the huge following in the Social Media community that convinced Chris to come in and see what the buzz was about. But if Chris Brogan wasn't in Milwaukee that day, that never would have happened.

J. Paul Getty said the secret to success was to 1.) rise early, 2.) work hard and 3.) strike oil. The truth is that guys like Chris Brogan and Joe Sorge of AJ Bombers have managed to do all three.

Because they've done the first two, they should not feel they have to apologize for the fact that number three played a huge part as well. When luck happens, it's only luck because preparation happened before and effort turned chance opportunity into success.

I feel a Monty Python quote coming on:

"You lucky, lucky bastard

I love MP, so always glad. : )

Luck to me is when 'preparation' crosses paths with 'opportunity'. If you have opportunity but are not ready, you lose.

If people understood that definition and applied it, maybe they would be "Lucky" too...

Actually Chris, it is we who are lucky. Lucky that you give away as much of your talent that you do. Lucky that you decided to be a marketing guru who travels around the world instead of a painter who focused on small town America.

Thanks for sharing yourself with all of us Chris. I'm lucky to know you and to learn from you.

Chris, you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be—as are we all. Last night I attended an event where Nick Vujicic spoke (the motivational speaker born without limbs). He’s where he’s supposed to be too. Thanks for everything you do to inspire us, and to encourage us to be where WE want to be.

I've seen Nick's videos. Did you have some fun there? Was he good?

Beyond good... Great. A giving man. Has changed tens of thousands of lives. Listening to him was one of those experiences that will stay with me for a lifetime.

I love it. Now on my list of people I hope to see.

Chris, I've also had people say to me, "you always seem to land jam side up".

And I've always said, the harder I work the luckier I get...

I really love that expression. And now I want some toast. : )

Indeed, let them eat toast...

I love luck. I am lucky every single day. So much of what I was given--was just a draw of the cards, but what I do with it....well that's hard work but I'm lucky that I love it!

And I bet your family belongs somewhere on that list of what you do to "earn your luck." Or were you just very lucky and your spouse does the hard work, here????

Kb

Have you ever quietly observed someone who continually achieves in life? He (or she) constantly snaps the hypnotic grip of mechanical living from the mind. If you absorb new information (as Chris enjoys doing), all hum drum tendencies from yesterday would vanish immediately.

Chris, while I agree that a critical ingredient to success is hard work, I believe that it is a bit arrogant not to acknowledge that luck plays a role in success. I don't mean to diminish your hard work but there are many smart, tireless workers whose hard work did not lead to serendipity. "You're lucky" is probably the wrong way to look at your success but to deny luck is to diminish the value of the hard work of others who have not achieved the level of success that you have -- many people work just as hard as you. Do you really deny that luck has played a role in your success?

Interesting. So, how much luck should I attribute? You're the first person to call me arrogant because I cite hard work over luck. I'm curious your take on that.

I noticed that I expressed a minority view. Your point is well taken and hard work should be cited over luck. My point, however, is that you ascribe success ONLY to hard work, with no component of luck. How much is luck? Who knows but I would be willing to wager that luck has played some role, however small.

I think you're right. There's a sprinkling in there, and bad of me.

The message was right on. There is such a thing as luck, but only if you're prepared to take advantage of your breaks and make the most of it. As the adage says, 'luck favors the prepared.'

IMHO, I thought your delivery of this particular message could have been much better (out of character, generally I really like the delivery). There seemed to be a undercurrent of personal defensiveness. It seemed like just before your recorded it you said to yourself "I'm tired of people saying I'm lucky" and that tone carried through. If you're out there, this happens. Defensiveness is a natural human reaction, but don't turn that into content.

Hi Jamie- Oh, I'm feeling defensive all right. I've had a bunch of slams in the last few days, and this was my message back to them. You read it totally right. The video was a direct message to people who are bitching and moaning that I'm lucky. They can make their own luck once they stop bitching and then start working.

Sorry to offend. It's definitely my goal to point out that luck had little to do with my position.

I'm not offended; it takes a lot to do that. I guess my read was accurate.

It easy to dwell on the negative aspects of the conversations we get ourselves into. You may not need this advice, but I hope this was therapeutic for you and you can put it to rest for yourself and focus on more positive things, because they people that feel that everyone who has more success than they are "lucky" are not likely to change their worldview.

+1 for Jamie's assessment. Chris, you should know by now that "your'e so lucky" is a euphemism for "I'm super jealous of what you're accomplishing". Don't let the .0001% of your readership influence what you post. There are always gonna be jealous snipers out there. The vast majority of your readers observe that your hard work is self-evident and seek to emulate that behavior. Cater to them. As Warren Buffet would say, focus on your "inner scorecard" and don't let the "outer scorecard" compromise your (typically stellar) product.

i felt so bad seeing this video that i want to apologize to you if i said anything on the other post that made you feel crummy.

the message here is great though - in my circles of the electronic music world - a space that is really crowded at the moment, it is quite negative. too many people are sitting around complaining about what happened to the industry, and not working hard enough to make it better.

Chris. I agree 100% with your video. Everything "Lucky" that has happened in my life is because I have worked hard and been persistent. Congrats on your success!

Most people are not built to give up their life, risk absolutely everything and put all of their energy and being into making the things we see clearly in our minds a reality. Of course they don't understand it, they've never done it. And most never will. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. I've worked my butt off and poured my life into many things that didn't work. I'm convinced by experience, the harder you work, the luckier you get.

Cheers Chris :)

People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them. ~G.B. Shaw, Mrs. Warren's Profession, 1893

Chris you touched upon a pet peeve of mine. Luck is what happens when you win the lottery. Hard work is what helps you to succeed in business. There's a difference.

Luck does play some part of our success. Sometimes the universe is just ready and let's me know that. I know that I can only benefit from "opportunities" when I am constantly preparing for them. Like you I have a disciplined regiment of things I DO and learn. Luck or hard work? Mostly hard work, and a little good luck dust!

All right. You're right about that little dusting of luck. To deny ANY luck would be bad. : )

Word. So often, when people ask what allows a person to advance professionally, they think there's a trick or a secret handshake that others have discovered.

I really appreciate a concrete list of what allows you to accomplish so many different goals- it's much more valuable than acting like the success gods sprinkled some fairy mojo dust on you and saying "Just lucky, I guess."

I'm currently reading "Question Behind the Question" by John Miller.

The basis: we tend to lead life with the wrong question. We see a guy and think, "Why don't I have that?" when the question is, "What can I do to get that?" and then making the systematic choices that follow.

One of my favorite folks found himself in a crisis of career. He was ill suited for what he had been doing. When setting out for a new path, he defined criteria: (I'm paraphrasing:)
1. I'm better with mechanics than people, so leverage that.
2. Clients must be wealthy enough that there will be a steady stream of revenue without my hounding them.
3. I want to work with people who are successful/hardworking enough that I can learn from them everyday.

He created a luxury car servicing establishment that's world renowned, and has been quite successful in his other projects. Of course, he continued to learn more every day, and holds his employees to a much higher standard of knowledge then other similar establishments.

When I commented to him that it was quite brilliant to step back, define his niche and then play to his own his strengths, he was surprised. Why wouldn't everyone do that? Didn't it make obvious sense?

Others could definitely look at him and say, "Man that guy was lucky- I so should have started that." It's easy to look at a successful person and think, "That should be me."

It's much harder to look at ourselves and decide what we're good at and how to get better, and what we suck at and better go learn. Every time I step out of my comfort zone and cross-pollinate out of my niche, my head explodes with ideas. To quote another friend, "I never want to be the smartest person in the room."

My Grandmother used to say: "Busy people are happy people- so get happy!"
Then I would hide before she made me go pick blueberries.

You and Example 1 just keep rockin that New England work ethic.. I'll keep being inspired.

Very very interesting post. Thanks for leaving it here for me to think about. Your friend was quite an interesting character. Actually, his repositioning is a powerful act that very few people enact. I'm glad he did.

Great post Chris.

"The harder I work the luckier I get" has been quoted by many, many successful people over the years....Yours is the same. Keep on hustling. Immensely thankful for all the free, great content you put out there.

Dan Ross

I'll always remember a woman at an office potluck bugging me to have some cake with her. I didn't want any and kept telling her no thanks. About an hour later this same person told me how lucky I am to be thin.

huh?

Chris, really enjoyed meeting you IRL at #kcbcs this week. I don't know the history that led to this post, but I know I had a two hour deep dive with a respected colleague on measurement and how we educate our clients on social media Friday and your comments the day before had a lot to do with starting that conversation.

IMO, that's the true value the best thought leaders bring. They make people think -- make their head hurt -- by starting a conversation others are compelled to join. That isn't luck, that's passion.

I'm a sports nut and you don't have to watch too many games in any sport to hear an announcer say that guy "makes his own luck." We all make our own luck, or lack of it. And there will always be naysayers. But remember one of the main points you made Thursday, because I know I will:

"We need to give community more credit sometimes as communicators."

I think your community knows the difference between luck and hard work.

Are you feeling LUCKY .. punk? Well are ya?

Here in New Zealand anyone who had a successful business in the last 10 years was considered very 'lucky' by the left wing government. Not one of those politicians had ever owned a business, and were mostly academics and ex teachers.

All they could see was that each business was a sort of 'money machine' that the owner had somehow 'lucked onto' when the less fortunate had not. (Seriously.) They had no clue what we'd all gone through to create these businesses from scratch.

They knew all about 'redistribution' of wealth, but nothing about creating it.

Fortunately they were voted out. We're still picking up the pieces. LOL.

I love this video Chris, you made great points about why you do what you do, love your values

It is right, people should just get something done.

I think many people really are just comparing them to guys like you, they should not try to copy everything you do.

They should not make a paid forum because you guys do it. They should find their own way to success. Of course you guys gives us the inspiration, but we should not go there and just copy everything you do.

Take action, that is the way forward!

You were lucky to have been born with the brain you have though. And the ability to grow such a smashing goatee.

Very nicely stated Chris. What can appear as luck, especially when it is sustainable, is the product of the effort we put into something. Reminds me of a quote I really like:

"I'm a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it." ~Thomas Jefferson

Keep on being lucky, Chris....it's exactly the kind of "lucky" our world needs...

That's some mighty powerful stuff, my friend! Mighty powerful!

I did a comment in Julien's blog about hard work skills and lucky, hard work is all what we need, if we don't have the skills, with hard work we get it. The problem is, people don't take action and they prefer live their life with jealousy of does who have success.

You're right, Chris. I tried to explain last night, to a fellow blogger, that having a successful blog and doing well in social media had nothing to do with luck, but everything to do with hard work. This gentleman complained he didn't have a large enough readership, and that others were unfairly "getting more comments." I told him the bloggers who were successful were working hard and were not "lucky." He scoffed at that. I even gave him several ideas of things he could do to improve his blog and get more traffic. He was not open to it. I then decided that if he was going to say blogging was "luck," and was going to be jealous of other's success, and not try to improve his situation, then attempting to help him would take up a lot of my energy. I need to wait until he realizes that blogging and social media is hard work and you must put something into it to get something out of it, just like anything in life...

I recently heard Phil Gerbyshak say "Luck is where hard work and planning meet." I couldn't agree more Chris...as I tell my kids, stop the whining and start the working.

Loved the question: "What are you not sacrificing that I am?"

That's it: What are we willing to sacrifice?

I'm willing to sacrifice my fear of being judged, some big chunks of time, and the "security" of a having an employer. That will take me pretty far, I hope. I learn a lot from seeing what you are willing to sacrifice, Chris. Thank you.