"Every adversity, every failure and every heartache carries with it the Seed of an equivalent or greater Benefit."

In order to succeed, one must have the necessary knowledge of their objective path. I have a Ph.D. in Virology and have spent nearly my entire life in school. When I started my Ph.D. curriculum, I quickly realized that the bulk of what I would be learning would be a waste of my time. I had no intentions of remaining in a university setting and therefore, learning the politics of academic life was a waste of my time. I also came to appreciate that my colleagues in biotechnology had a similar disdain for the vast waste of time a Ph.D. was. My mantra became "People expect and education, but they pay for experience." I stayed at the university only 1 year before finding a full time job in a biotechnology company. I continued to do my Ph.D. on the side, because I believed that the Ph.D was essential to be respected in my field, but the fastest way to advance my career was in obtaining industry experience. The outcome of this experience was that when I graduated with my Ph.D. I was already considered a veteran scientist in my field and eligible for Senior scientist level positions making 2 to3 times what fellow students graduating at the same time could achieve. This is a personal example of the great importance of knowledge, but the greater value of specialized knowledge. "Most professors have but little money. They specialize on teaching knowledge, but they do not specialize on the organization ,or the use of knowledge." "General knowledge, no matter how great in quantity or variety, is of but little use in the accumulation of money." I was quite successful in my field because I realized early that the generalized knowledge of the University was of little import compared to the specialized knowledge received by working directly in my field for many years. This is not to say the university education is not important, because it is basically essential today. But the greatest value of that education is not in the general knowledge, but in the life experiences that come through attending and succeeding at the university. What paid off for me is understanding my field, having a definite plan that is conducive to growth in my field, and being motivated to succeed.

"Knowledge will not attract money, unless it is organized, and intelligently directed, through practical plans of action, to the definite end of accumulation of money. Lack of understanding of this fact has been the source of confusion of mullions of people who falsely believe that 'Knowledge is Power.' Knowledge is only potential power. It becomes power only when and if it is organized into definite plans of action and directed to a definite end." A truly educated man is "one who has so developed the faculties of his mind that he may acquire anything he wants, or its equivalent, without violating the rights of others." Hence, a successful college graduate is the one who has learned the skills necessary to find the right information when he needs it, understand that information, use it to organize strategy in a goal (objective) oriented fashion, and has developed the self-discipline to proactively execute it.

Not a specialized skills need be possessed by oneself. In fact it is nearly impossible to succeed without help. We need the skills that other people possess and their time. The most successful men are those who learn how to efficiently use the skills and labor of others. There is simply not enough time in the day for one person to do everything. For example, in biotechnology, the company is made up of finance and accounting experts that keep the finances of the company organized. The executives keep the focus of the company properly directed, and the scientists are the innovators of new technology. The work I do as a scientist is so highly specialized, that not only could it not be done by a business man, it would be difficult for another scientist to replace me. There is a description of the company where one man tries to do everything: Sole Proprietorship. Even in large companies, managers often tend to try to do everything. They are called micro-managers. The point is that we need not have all the knowledge. The great financial leader instead knows how to rally the people he needs to his cause, give them stewardship, and then inspire them to excel.

Great financial leaders are also great judges of character. They can see in the eyes of the individual and know their potential. One of the primary characteristics I look in the people I work with is self-discipline. "Anything acquired without effort, and without cost is generally unappreciated, often discredited; perhaps this is why we get so little from our marvelous opportunity in public schools. The self-discipline one receives from a definite program of specialized study makes up to some extent for the wasted opportunity when knowledge was available without cost. " Perhaps the greatest value of a college education is that we must pay for it, and once paid for, no-one, but me, truly cares whether I finish. Those who finish in general have proven their discipline and have had a taste of true victory. That person is much more likely to succeed.

In summary, take a step back and ask yourself what specialized knowledge you have and what specialized knowledge you need to acquire to achieve your goals. How can you acquire that specialized knowledge? through schooling? through an associate you know? If it is a character or leadership trait you need, then surround yourself with people who have these traits. "Truly, there is something to the idea that hero-worship is helpful, provided one worships a winner."