Why are some people so successful while other's are failing

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Apr 30, 2012

I think it's mostly a matter of being in the right place at the right time---born to the right parents, attendance at the right schools, finding the right job or coming up with the right idea at the right time in history, and doing all the right things to keep moving in the right direction. Oh, and a generous dollop of dumb luck doesn't hurt. :)

bagladyrn, RN · Apr 30, 2012

I think that much depends on what you see as success. For some it may be being rich. I'll never be considered successful if that is your criteria. However, I feel successful as I have raised a son who is serving his country, raising a family and proving to be a good man. I don't have much in my retirement savings, but there are 4 other young men who had a roof over their head and support through high school years because I chose to spend my earnings to bring them into my home. Seeing them graduate high school made me feel successful.

I'll never be rich in money, but I'm rich in the experiences I've had traveling the country the last 15 years. I'm rich and very lucky in the good friends and loving family I have spread all over the country. To me that is worth it all.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Apr 30, 2012

"To know that even one life has breathed easier because you lived....that is to have succeeded.". That's good enough for me. =)

dudette10, MSN, RN · Apr 30, 2012

Considering the upbringing of our last two democrat presidents and a buttload of very rich and successful people who came from modest backgrounds, I agree with the poster who said it comes from within. I am friends with quite a few entrepreneurs--some of whom are successful and some of whom are not. The main difference I see is the work ethic and the amount of risk one is willing to take. Those who work 16 hours a day and take risks are always more successful than the ones who whine about how difficult it is and are afraid to leave their comfort zones. On a personal note, my father was a blue collar worker who scrimped and saved, but took risks on investments. He was literally "the millionaire next door.". Anyone could do it, but are you willing to risk?

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 30, 2012

have you ever wondered how are these people so rich and successful, while other people are falling. what is different about these people who are at the top of their field. what makes them different from rest of the people. why can't everyone be happy, successful and rich. and why are some people barley surviving in this cold and harsh world. thank you:)

on this note, i would give you a simple answer... for the same reason we are not all perfectly sculpture muscle bodies and have naturally pearl white teeth, or 6' tall with an iq of a genius just saying... :cool:

bratmobile · Apr 30, 2012

Resiliance, Flexibility and a Positive Attitude are what makes the difference between success and failure..if you don't have resiliance you can never bounce back from being criticized or a failure.. if you aren't flexible and can't bend in the wind you're going to snap,,if you have a bad attitude (usually resulting from previous experiences involving a lack of resiliance and flexibility) you are not going to get promoted and be successful..

Despareux · Apr 30, 2012

It's attitude and perception. One can have the most horrific upbringing, be a high school drop-out, have a history of drug abuse and severe depression, but overcome all of those obstacles and end up highly successful. One's person success doesn't define the next person's success.

neverbethesame · Apr 30, 2012

Ahhhh, the age old question. I think that it is different for everyone. Even what constitutes success is different for everyone. There is no one size fits all to it. That's what is so interesting about it. Even from a cultural standpoint- I know that you are referring to the American/Western idea of rich and successful but in other non-Western cultures, it is measured very differently.

Here is some food for thought on not necessarily "why are some people barley surviving in this cold and harsh world" but what are we, in a Judeo/Christian ethos, to do about it:

"The poor you will always have with you." Matthew 26:11

"He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished." Proverbs 17:5

"He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God." Proverbs 14:31

"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Apr 30, 2012

choices. My cousins and I all went to the sames schools and our families had the same values. None of them got any more education. Now, years later, they complain about not having money for this or that. They forget they CHOSE not to get an education or training for a decent job.

sistasoul · Apr 30, 2012

I think environment plays a huge role. I grew up in the projects and most of the kids I knew had parents that reinforced the lifestyle of living in the projects and most of us kids were raised by single mothers. What I mean by this is the kids were "taught" to be "stuck" in this mode. Education and work ethic was not taught by example and many of the parents were alcoholics. I was lucky that my mother enforced a strong work ethic in me. We never had money and I paid for both of my degrees myself- first was a business degree and second was my ASN.

I also think instilling and building up a child's confidence in themselves is another huge asset. Low self esteem will wreak havoc on being a success

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Apr 30, 2012

The universe is random sometimes. It's technically impossible for EVERYONE to be rich since being rich implies having more than someone else.

pinkfluffybunny · Apr 30, 2012

For most I think the most sucessful came from wealth. No matter the work ethic it is harder to fight your way to the top then to already start at the top.

For us regular people, if success is measured by the ability to live a comfortable life, I think it comes from work ethic and sacrifice. The world owes you nothing.