My father's advice to me after I got out of University was "it is not what you know but who you know". He had a vast network of friends and acquaintances and a charisma that I could never hope to match. He started many business and somehow turned a profit from most of them.

But I knew I could never be like him. I just wasn't that kind of guy.

I took the boring approach of working hard at a regular job and just living beneath my means for years. I'm now in my 50's and my wife continually looks at others doing "better" than we are.

I just tell her.
... we have two good sons.
... we have a home
... we have food to eat
... friends to share moments with
... no bills
... and we have been married for 27 years.

In her view she wonders why we don't have what they have and doesn't think we are successful. From my view I have everything that matters to me.

Humility goes a long way.

thanks for the article