Here Is Why Your Life Still Sucks

Summary

The article argues that personal drive and intelligence are the real sources of inequality, and provides examples of successful individuals who overcame adversity.

Abstract

The article titled "Here Is Why Your Life Still Sucks" emphasizes the importance of personal drive and intelligence as the real sources of inequality, rather than external factors such as poverty, race, or gender. The author cites a three-time millionaire who came from nothing and dropped out of college as evidence that success is not determined by external factors. The article provides examples of successful individuals who overcame adversity, such as poverty, homelessness, and lack of education, to become billionaires. The author encourages readers to stop making excuses and focus on what they can control to achieve their potential.

Opinions

The author believes that personal drive and intelligence are the real sources of inequality.
The author believes that external factors such as poverty, race, or gender should not be used as excuses for failure.
The author believes that successful people focus on what they can control and blame their failures on themselves.
The author believes that unsuccessful people focus on what they cannot control and blame their failures on others.
The author encourages readers to stop making excuses and focus on what they can control to achieve their potential.

Here Is Why Your Life Still Sucks

It all starts with you.

Don’t be a victim. Don’t make excuses. People don’t care about your problems.

“The real inequality is the level of personal drive and intelligence.”

I framed the quote and have it on my desk to remind myself everyday.

You are poor. You are an immigrant. You live in a small town. You didn’t have rich parents. You are Asian. You are Black. You are a woman. You are homeless. You don’t have a college degree.

So did these billionaires:

Starbucks’ Howard Schultz grew up in a housing complex for the poor. — Net worth: 2.5 billion USD (2015)

John Paul DeJoria, the man behind a hair-care empire and Patron Tequila, once lived in a foster home and his car. — Net worth: 2.8 billion USD (2015)

Born into poverty, Oprah Winfrey became the first African American TV correspondent in Nashville. — Net worth: 3 billion USD (2015)

Luxury goods mogul Francois Pinault quit high school in 1974 after being bullied for being poor. — Net worth: 4.7 billion USD (2015)

At one time, businessman Shahid Khan washed dishes for $1.20 an hour. — Net worth: 5.1 billion USD (2015)

Forever 21 founder Do Won Chang worked as a janitor, gas station attendant, and in a coffee shop when he first moved to America. — Net worth: 6 billion USD (2015)

Ralph Lauren was once a clerk at Brooks Brothers dreaming of men’s ties. — Net worth: 7.2 billion USD (2015)

Leonardo Del Vecchio grew up in an orphanage and later worked in a factory where he lost part of his finger. — Net worth: 21 billion USD (2015)

Legendary trader George Soros survived the Nazi occupation of Hungary. He arrived in London as an impoverished college student. — Net worth: 24.2 billion USD (2015)

After his father died, business magnate Li Ka-shing had to quit school to help support his family. — Net worth: 33.5 billion USD (2015)

Oracle’s Larry Ellison dropped out of college after his adoptive mother died and held odd jobs for eight years. Net worth: 54.1 billion USD (2015)

Life is hard. It doesn’t matter who you are, there are always things you cannot control. You can accept it and let it stop you from getting what you want. Or you can stop making an excuse for why you can’t fulfill your potential.

We are taught you must blame your father, your sisters, your brothers, the school, the teachers — but never blame yourself. It’s never your fault. But it’s always your fault, because if you wanted to change you’re the one who has got to change.

Katharine Hepburn

Here Is Why Your Life Still Sucks

Unsuccessful people focus on what they cannot control and blame their failures on others.

Successful people focus on what they can control and blame their failures on themselves.

The only person who can stop you is you.