Success is always the result of hard work and skill, but failure is usually bad luck ;-)
I think you have the right internal Locus of Control (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locus_of_control) theory needed to succeed. But personally I believe the truth is a more nuanced (i.e, my Locus of Contol theory is a more external than yours :)
Environment is important too; generally, when people of modest background and means rise to found successful businesses, this is invariably mentioned in their biography precisely because it's unusual.
The influence of social environment, peers, connections, location, opportunities and just plain old timing do matter, in my view. Even Warren Buffett acknowledges that he won the "Ovarian Lottery".
Yep, I even believe in "luck" too (unpredictable external factors outside one's control). You can found a perfectly viable business, work hard, be skilled - and then become sick at a critical time. These things happen. Likewise, making the right connection or deal at just the right time can make all the difference to one's success.
Of course, as others have pointed out -your view is the most useful. You can only control what you can control. But do I advocate kindness to others, because persistent hard work and skill are no guarantee of success.
I think you have the right internal Locus of Control (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locus_of_control) theory needed to succeed. But personally I believe the truth is a more nuanced (i.e, my Locus of Contol theory is a more external than yours :)
Environment is important too; generally, when people of modest background and means rise to found successful businesses, this is invariably mentioned in their biography precisely because it's unusual.
The influence of social environment, peers, connections, location, opportunities and just plain old timing do matter, in my view. Even Warren Buffett acknowledges that he won the "Ovarian Lottery".
Yep, I even believe in "luck" too (unpredictable external factors outside one's control). You can found a perfectly viable business, work hard, be skilled - and then become sick at a critical time. These things happen. Likewise, making the right connection or deal at just the right time can make all the difference to one's success.
Of course, as others have pointed out -your view is the most useful. You can only control what you can control. But do I advocate kindness to others, because persistent hard work and skill are no guarantee of success.