If being rich is due to being intelligent and hardworking, why isn’t every PhD in the world at least a millionaire?

Because most of the profs I know don’t want to be. Instead of dollars, they want the satisfaction of intellect. Instead of keeping score with their net worth and cash flow, they keep score with the books they’ve read and written. Instead of suits, they wear surgical scrubs with all sorts of burn holes where lighted pipes were carelessly stuffed in baggy pockets.

That’s the general rule and we all know exceptions. One is a professor of geology who is in great demand for his abilities to find valuable ores in remote places. Another is a professor of business who consults on leadership. Still another is an assistant professor who owns an executive recruiting firm and invests in real estate. All quietly enjoy their intellect and wealth.

And all know that the real, hidden reason for their success on two fronts is luck. They know that they are the beneficiaries of being in the right places at the right times. It’s called serendipity.

When I wrote my autobiography some fifteen years ago a professor/friend said that I like serendipity the word and the notion. I do because it has worked hard to make my life more fulfilled, and I have worked hard to give it that opportunity. I have a win-win relationship with a concept.

My upcoming book, Your Character Can Make or Break Your Life, (place your bets here), I say this: Many (of the successful people profiled herein) consider luck to be the most powerful driver of their success, including this author, who describes his fulfilled life as 80% luck, 15% pluck, and 5% talent.