Easy Come, Easy Go: Understanding the Universal Law of Money & Success

Easy Come, Easy Go: Understanding the Universal Law of Money & Success

Success is often seen as a measure of intelligence or innate talent. We are quick to label those who excel in high school as the "smart ones" who will undoubtedly achieve great things in life. However, there is a phenomenon known as the "High School Hero" syndrome, where those who were once at the top of their game in high school struggle to find the same level of success in university or in their careers. It is as if they peaked too early and stopped learning, believing that their intelligence alone would carry them through life.

The truth is, success and wealth are not solely determined by our intelligence or natural abilities. Those who are able to achieve and maintain financial stability are often the ones who have faced hardships and overcome numerous obstacles in their journey. They understand the value of hard work and perseverance, and they have learned from their failures and setbacks.

We often hear stories of "overnight successes," individuals who seemingly skyrocketed to fame and fortune in a short period of time. However, if we delve deeper into their stories, we realize that their success was not as sudden as it may seem. In fact, it took them years, if not decades, of dedication and hard work to reach where they are today.

Take, for example, the founder of Instacart. This was not his first venture into entrepreneurship. In fact, it was his eighth or ninth startup before he struck gold. Similarly, many of the unicorns in my portfolio, the companies that have achieved a valuation of over $1 billion, struggled for seven to eight years before they reached that milestone. The big success stories we will be hearing about in the next five to ten years are currently toiling away in obscurity, laying the groundwork for their future triumphs.

This highlights the importance of patience and long-term thinking in the pursuit of success. While it is essential to be ambitious and aggressive in our endeavors, we must also understand that good things take time. There are no shortcuts or quick fixes on the path to success. We must be willing to put in the effort and stay in the game for the long haul.

So, how can we apply this understanding to our own lives and increase our chances of achieving lasting success and financial stability? Here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Embrace the journey: Instead of fixating on the end goal, learn to appreciate the process. Understand that setbacks and failures are part of the learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Embracing the journey allows us to stay motivated and resilient, even in the face of challenges.