By Brenton Tong
It is the age-old debate over whether a person's habits, skills, talents and successes are manufactured through their environment or are an inherited disposition?
When arguing the ongoing debate in what it takes to have money and financial success, it's a combination of the right nature or genes with the right type of education and mentors that will change the odds. This can happen whether people are in early childhood or adulthood. One without the other will not produce the results that we either want for ourselves or for our children.
Regardless of background, circumstance and education, if a person is hungry for knowledge and is ready to work for their success they have the opportunity to be highly successful.
The world is dotted with many people that have met various levels of success and studying them will lead you to possibly working out what the secret to their success really is.
If you look at four people, two of them from a wealthy and highly success demographic, the other two from a less encouraging and financially scarce environment, you would think you would end up with very different outcomes. However the circumstances in which these individuals grow, mixed with their own personal attributes will determine what type of life these people are going to lead. Their nature alone will not dictate the outcome, neither will genes.
Of all the wealthy people I have dealt with over the years, I'm amazed how even siblings can end up with such different lives – you would think that success is partially genetic, but I'm not sure it is. Each and every person is born with a unique genetic make up, with some people being born with the real goods to get ahead, others not so.
However, since these people grow up in an environment that is more money orientated, it's often seen that an element of success will rub off on them. Those that have the smarts, and more importantly the drive, can take that raw talent and draw on the environment they exist in to take them to the very top of their game. Those that don't have the gift, or the desire to become successful, but have grown up in an environment that already has a wealth of information on how to handle money will inherit some of the ideas and values that have enabled others around them to be successful. Their personal desire and abilities will determine how much of it is useful, however their education and the environment will effectively provide a solid foundation to ensure that the chances of success are higher.
The same can be said about the other two people in the equation. Without the basic drive or understanding of money, they will be faced with a financial life not too dissimilar to that of their parents. Yet, with drive, desire and understanding, a person that grows up without the influence of wealth will have to find the information they crave. They are the ones that know that there is more out there for them, the ones asking: why not me? Those from this background will typically have to fight that little bit harder to be ultra successful – for no other reason other than the answers they seek do not influence them on a daily basis. While normal State provided education does not encourage entrepreneurial spirit, it is the first provider of information outside the family. Thankfully with easy access to information, each person has the ability to find the answers and gain the information they need to start building a successful life.
It has been proven time and time again that success is not only for the educated and inherently wealthy; Richard Branson and Bill Gates defied all odds of expected success after dropping out of high school. They are shining examples that any one of us has the ability to make it as big as we want. But the mere drive and desire to do it still insufficient. I have met many people who have sufficient desire to knock a building down just thinking about it. However, all that passion and desire has to be harnessed and the way to do this is through education – whether it be formal education, through a mentor, or just learning from other successful people. More is always needed.
What does this mean for you? If you have the desire to make it big, harness the power and energy that you possess and channel it in the right direction. Pick your path and find anybody who has successfully walked it before, and start learning. Listen, and keep your eyes open. The way forward isn't always obvious, but the answers are always there. If you're reading this and think, ‘this isn't me, but what if my children have that desire and passion that I don't'? Ensure that you provide an environment that is going to nurture that raw ability and turn it into something great.
Brenton Tong, Finance Guru and Co-Author of Secrets of Male Entrepreneurs Exposed. Visit www.pdb.com.au to contact Brenton.
