IGN only exists because of a dance music CD I bought when I was 19. My son Royse is a musician only because of a specific videogame we played five years ago. Luck plays an outsized role in any specific success.
When I taught entrepreneurship at DU's Business School, I used to ask, "who here knows someone way more successful than you, even though they're idiots?" People would start to sheepishly raise their hands and after 30 seconds, everyone would cop to that being true.
I'd follow up with, "who here knows someone who is less successful than you, even though they're smarter than you and have worked harder their entire career?" Within seconds, the entire class would raise their hands.
Effort alone doesn't guarantee success, but it is generally a requirement. So, this is a reminder that you better do the work you love, because you're still going to need some luck to be rich, but if you're doing the right thing, the hard work will be fulfillment enough.
My interview with Lizzie Mintus was a wonderful, wide-ranging conversation. She is so smart and such a baller in her own space (games recruiting). If you've got some time today, throw on this podcast. If you're lucky, you could even learn something :)