Why are the smartest not the richest ?!?
From the time we are born our parents have this desire for us to study hard, get good grades and get into the best university possible (in the case of most Sri-Lankans to study medicine, law or accounting). So we bust our guts in school trying to outdo one another, getting private tuition, anything to be top of the class. Then it’s off to university where between the distractions of alcohol, drugs and the opposite (or same) sex we try to get our degrees, masters and PhDs.
Our proud parents pose for graduation trophy photographs to be strategically displayed around the family home so that visitors will ask about how the offspring are faring. They will then be given an account of which university the kids attended and how they are doing so well as a lawyer/accountant/doctor working for xyz.
While in most instances working in a profession requiring a high standard of education does bring with it a high level of income and respect from the community, these occupations are most often servants to the truly wealthy.
I have seen and read about so many instances where someone arrives in a foreign country with nothing but the clothes on their back, barely being able to speak the language, but through hard work, perseverance, passion for what they do, and a bit of luck build a business empire which employs scores of MBAs, lawyers and accountants.
Another case is the kid who drops out of school gets a job and jumps into the real world long before their classmates have even finished high school. Through real life experiences they develop a kind of streetsmart canniness which enables them to seize an opportunity to start a business which becomes a tremendous success.
I have friends who are high school and university drop outs making a lot more money than those of us who studied for years……
The question then: Is studying all those years the best path to making a lot money and success, or is it one of real life experiences and following your dreams ? Or are some people ‘born’ with this knack to see opportunities where others don’t and exploit them ?
August 31, 2006 at 4:18 am
Perhaps the smart ones seek things of different value. Perhaps the exposure to trmendous sums of money drive people to bust it grandly and only want more. Hence seeking more money. Or maybe like you say some people are born “into” it and have to carry on a family tradition of making money.. Some are smarter.. they go their own way cos in the end, although the world is full of marriages made to sustain this commercial world and economy, people these days seem to want to feel better about themselves and what they do.. to prove to themselves that they amount to something. Or am i being sad by thinking all this
lol 
August 31, 2006 at 7:29 am
I think one answer to your question is that the smartest are not always the ones who are the most hungry for financial success. In my humble experience that hunger for success, whether financial, artistic, intellectual or whatever is the most powerful driver.
I have just come across your blog, looks like it will be good.
August 31, 2006 at 8:31 am
It is often said that the human mind is all powerful, and if you set your mind to something then anything is possible.
August 31, 2006 at 8:55 am
a highskool drop out myself, had to wait till turn 18 to get a real job, but never jobless, was into techy studies, was into devloping softwares at an early age like 15. got boerd of it and went into multimedia, sri lanka doesnt really give a thing about talent, believes in age old experience, took out a fill in job in accounting and conversational skills, the startin was awesome, better than any firm can offer, just 21 n leading a team of professional CIMA students, i dont know have any professional in accounting except for a good grade in Accounting back in skool…. the desire to succeed has never been money, its been about reaching heights at a young age and never stopping at one place for too long, but the firm i work for doesnt really work on those lines..
September 1, 2006 at 4:03 am
Read ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T Kiyosaki. That will provide some answers.
September 1, 2006 at 6:00 am
i guess for example cos u don’t hv to be ’smart’ in terms of intellect to play professional sports or sing or act u just have to look good have a little talent and lots of luck.. no PhDs required. most of us don’t have those attributes so we have to earn a living the hard way by hitting the books
September 1, 2006 at 6:07 am
Why are the smartest no the richest?
Simple. The answer already in your question. Because they are Smart.
Been richEST is not the smartEST goal in the life.
If been rich is the goal of the smart life then Bill Gate should not be working today. He should be staying home chilling with his dudes, smoking a joint and listening to Bob Marley. But he is not; he is working his ass off every day.
We all need money. Some people get money easy. Some people have to work hard for it. But majority works really really hard. Harder than you can ever imagine.
Steve Jobs work 10 miles every Sunday to get a free meal from Hindu Temple – only good meal he had for the week. He collected and returns empty bottles for earn 10 cents. When we listen to iPod today, we do not think about that. He work harder than me and he is richer than me.
Formal education get you money is like Axe get you girls advertisement. Axe defiantly make you smell good, there is no doubt about it. But you need other skills also for get chicks.
September 1, 2006 at 9:55 am
Another twist to this is the offspring of the mega rich….most are groomed from a young age to take over the reigns of the family empire. What if those same people were talented musicians or artists, and in reality would have much preferred to be following their dreams in that direction, but due to the pressures from their families they have to work in the business.
They will no doubt have a lot of wealth, but will this give them true happiness ?
September 2, 2006 at 6:40 am
if i had a choice (i know i don’t) i’d rather be rich i reckon than smart… sigh..
November 1, 2006 at 5:16 pm
Really nice explanation Sam.. I almost agree with eveverything you have said!!!!