OT: “The Self-Made Myth”

[CDMA ENG]

[quote=flu]You know. People like to focus on on the success stories. But reality is we never hear about the countless failures. Because, well they failed.[/quote]

Well… Not entirely… In many interviews with the successful they have stated things such as “I had x amount of failures before I succeeded”.

I have always had the utmost respect for those that can take on the challenge of entrepuenurship and even after a failure can try again.

Henry Ford, I believe, said “Success is hard work meeting oppurtunity”. It is that introduction of oppurtunity that seems to elude so many…

CE

[CDMA ENG]

[quote=flu]Perhaps the more accurate statement, the more you try increases your odds of getting more lucky…The plausibility of the “luckiness” depends on what you are trying….I don’t think trying by repeatedly buying a lotto ticket would be very fruitful for most people.

Yes the irony is, I see more emphasis on people trying to do the get rich quick thing, than doing the hard sweat thing…

The problem is, I think many people have lost sight of the issue… A lot of people have stopped trying. Or try only for the simpliest, quickest, dirtiest, get rich quick thing. Many many many people, really don’t want to improve their own situation. A lot of folks have gotten too picky, and wouldn’t “stoop that low” to do something. And yet complain about things being “unfair”…Or worse, with the current predicament expect the government to make them whole.

A lot of it comes from picking career choices too and the motivations for picking career choices….[/quote]

Absolutely.

[CA renter]

[quote=flu]Perhaps the more accurate statement, the more you try increases your odds of getting more lucky…The plausibility of the “luckiness” depends on what you are trying….I don’t think trying by repeatedly buying a lotto ticket would be very fruitful for most people.

Yes the irony is, I see more emphasis on people trying to do the get rich quick thing, than doing the hard sweat thing…

The problem is, I think many people have lost sight of the issue… A lot of people have stopped trying. Or try only for the simpliest, quickest, dirtiest, get rich quick thing. Many many many people, really don’t want to improve their own situation. A lot of folks have gotten too picky, and wouldn’t “stoop that low” to do something. And yet complain about things being “unfair”…Or worse, with the current predicament expect the government to make them whole.

A lot of it comes from picking career choices too and the motivations for picking career choices….[/quote]

Yes, but our society has moved increasingly toward rewarding gamblers over workers. We now stare down our noses at people who do honest work for a living (including public sector workers) while exalting those who “trade” or “make deals” — capitalists who generally make their money from other people’s labor.

Wages and purchasing power have gone nowhere over the decades for many VERY hard-working Americans…while the incomes of those who do very little work has skyrocketed. Our tax system even rewards the gamblers over the workers. Who in the world can blame people for wanting to imitate those who scam the system and always seem to win at the expense of those who work for a living?

[bobby]

I don’t think we have to be so cynical. Look around you: Most successful people got there through hard work and perseverance. The cheaters on the news are usually the exception.

[an]

[quote=bobby]I don’t think we have to be so cynical. Look around you: Most successful people got there through hard work and perseverance. The cheaters on the news are usually the exception.[/quote]
Is it cynical or is it envy? I’d say it’s envy.

[NotCranky]

[quote=AN][quote=bobby]I don’t think we have to be so cynical. Look around you: Most successful people got there through hard work and perseverance. The cheaters on the news are usually the exception.[/quote]
Is it cynical or is it envy? I’d say it’s envy.[/quote]
Is being self made the same as having it made?
How about self undone? I think most of use are in the middle of all this. I haven’t met anyone doing better. A few more trappings a few less and more or less fancy things to say. That’s about it.

Styx- The grand illusion

Welcome to the grand illusion
Come on in and see whats happening
Pay the price, get your tickets for the show
The stage is set, the band starts playing
Suddenly your heart is pounding
Wishing secretly you were a star.

But dont be fooled by the radio
The tv or the magazines
They show you photographs of how your life should be
But theyre just someone elses fantasy
So if you think your life is complete confusion
Because you never win the game
Just remember that its a grand illusion
And deep inside were all the same.
Were all the same…

So if you think your life is complete confusion
Because your neighbors got it made
Just remember that its a grand illusion
And deep inside were all the same.
Were all the same…

America spells competition, join us in our blind ambition
Get yourself a brand new motor car
Someday soon well stop to ponder what on earths this spell were under
We made the grade and still we wonder who the hell we are
All rights go to Styx

[scaredyclassic]

Fuckin ay It was all clear to me in my buddys basement in 1978 and somewhere along the line I lost styx’s clarity.

[bearishgurl]

Your posts are always crystal clear to me, scaredy (in a “muddled” sorta way, lol). I don’t think the Styx’s influence has entirely left you ;=]

[scaredyclassic]

i’ve been thinking about this issue. I’m one who is generally against belief in the power of positive thinking, against affirmations, and motivational speakers and generally opposed to feeling like I am responsible alone for my success. I tend to agree with the proposition that our success is determined by many factors outside ourselves.

But….

I have been reading a lot of weightlifting/strength books and articles and i have been lifting a lot and think about how to get stronger a lot. in fact, I think about it and read about it and work on it every day. Strength trainers believe that you are 100% responsible for your outcome. genetics matter, of course, but what you make of yourself is 100% on you.

there is a very large mental component to lifting heavy weights. This belief is useful, arguably even necessary.

in fact, the importance of the metal attitude might be larger, or maybe just inseparable, from the physical component.

and your results are going to be almost entirely dependent on your mental attitude.

so i am rethinking my overall attitude on being self-made.

I am thinking, in terms of strength training, that you pretty much make yourself what you are. good advice, good training help, but basically it all comes down to you and your effort and your attitude and how much you want it. and having some good food available, and a place to sleep.

This last three weeks has been an amazing three weeks for me in terms of my drive and gains and focus and confidence.

And it’s making me wonder if maybe I wasn’t wrong about my original position regarding how much we control our destinies in other areas. I have literally been believing myself stronger. at least that’s how it feels.

250 is getting very close. p.s i deadlifted 300 lbs tonight. that’s not squatting but it’s still heavy. my kids witnessed it and said i turned beet red. i need more weights, since i only have 300 lbs. in terms of extremely macho sentences, i would say, “i need more weights” ranks among the most macho.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

[quote=squat250]Fuckin ay It was all clear to me in my buddys basement in 1978 and somewhere along the line I lost styx’s clarity.[/quote]

Scaredy: You didn’t lose clarity, Styx did! The group that gave us “Renegade” and “Blue Collar Man” went frickin’ mainstream and released that Gadawful track, “Babe”. Sweet Jesus, but that song sucked! It was downhill after that.

“Paradise Theater?” What was up with that shit? Might as well listen to Air Supply. Or Barry Manilow.

[scaredyclassic]

Oh Mandy

please kiss me and stop me from shaking

[Allan from Fallbrook]

[quote=squat250]Oh Mandy

please kiss me and stop me from shaking[/quote]

Scaredy: That is so, so wrong. Just like the entire 1970s.

Although, I’ll profess to being sad over Donna Summer’s passing. Being of a certain age, I remember every school dance ending with “Last Dance.” Ah, that last slow dance…

[scaredyclassic]

My kid asked me if the 70s were blurrier or grainier than reality now.

Based on photos he’s seen.

Reality was different then.

I feel love is still strangely erotic to me. I remember listening to the 45 at a friends house. Ididnt own it. I wantedto hear it again And again. I was turned on.

[Author]

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