This American economist, sorry I forgot his name, spent a lot of time and energy in researching an interesting and eye-catching topic: why some people are very rich while others are so poor? What are the decisive factors which make a man or woman become riche or remain poor?
His motivations consist of finding the recipe of becoming riche and help the poor to lift themselves out of poverty and become also relatively riche. He is a kind-hearted, conscious economist.
1. parentage, or family background,
2. education
3. opportunities,
4. fortune,
5. endeavor,
6. options
Among these six factors, two and half of them are given by accident by the God. We can’t choose our parents, we can’t control our fortune, and for the opportunities, the optimists often say: “ opportunities often smile on those who are well prepared.” So, I consider that we can partly guide opportunities toward our favor. The three other factors, education, endeavor and options, are almost under our control. Or to be more precise, partly within our grip.
But, in the life of one person, several key crossroads options are so important what no mistake is tolerated. You can’t afford to make any mistakes in these crucial key options like the university to attend, the specialty choice, the job and career, the marriage and family, start up your own business, live and work at home or abroad, child education, etc. if you make any big mistake in this regards, the price to pay is too high for you. And it is not exaggerating to say that a bad option can ruin half of you life and waste 20 valuable years of your life. A old Chinese saying tells us: “A deadly error of choice for a woman is a bad husband, a deadly error of a man is a bad profession.” 女怕嫁错郎,男怕选错行。(this is my personal translated version, not an official translation.)