[GratefulCitizen]

Frequently chat about this sort of thing with a close friend of mine.

His story:

Youngest of 10 children.
Grew up in poverty, a black family in a somewhat racist area of Kentucky.
Parents split when he was 4, he lived with his dad.
His dad died when he was 9, went back to live with his mother and abusive grandmother.

His dad did one very valuable thing for him.
From the time he could read, he was put in front of the encyclopedia and told to learn all he could learn.
Learning would be his path to success.
The importance of learning was stressed consistently.

He graduated high school at age 17.
Went to college at the Colorado School of Mines on scholarships and financial aid.
He worked in the computing center in order to make extra money and learn more about computers.
Took jobs during the summer programming in order to make money and gain experience.

Lived cheaply during college and after.
Didn't own a car, didn't even get a driver's license until age 23.
Graduated with a degree in chemistry.

Despite having only taken 2 computer classes in his life, his extensive experience programming led him into that field.
He dedicated himself to fully mastering his trade.

Didn't start making real money until age 24.
Made his first million by age 35.

Now, at age 37, he has significant investments set aside and could retire today if he wished.
Typically dictates to his employer whether he will work from the office or telecommute.
Has headhunters seeking him all the time.

He also had the satisfaction of paying off his mother's house and being a financial patron of sorts to some of his family.
Not bad for a last-born.

When he hears excuses about various barriers to success, he scoffs.