Many people see life as little more than an endless struggle—an ongoing series of trials and tribulations that make it hard to imagine ever achieving real success. Though some of us see limitless opportunity even when life is hard, many others feel so beaten down by one hit after another that they never expect to escape a “pre-destined fate”. It’s not that they lack nerve, or don’t hope for a brighter day. They simply see no clear path whatsoever to get there—none that would fit their own abilities and small pocketbooks. When they hear of others who rise up to achieve quick success in life, such stories have no relationship to their own situation, so they attribute them to luck—something they have precious little of themselves.

My hope for this article is to show that this far too common viewpoint is an illusion. Continue reading →