When I was 15 years old I read an article about Ivan Boesky, the well-known takeover trader - turned out years later it was all on inside information! But before that came to light he was very successful, very flamboyant. And I thought, "This is what I want to do". So I'm 15 years old, I decide I'm going to Wall Street.

Don't waste even a minute magnifying your perceived inadequacies. You can't do it all. Why berate yourself for not achieving the impossible?

When I was 15 years old I read an article about Ivan Boesky, the well-known takeover trader - turned out years later it was all on inside information! But before that came to light he was very successful, very flamboyant. And I thought, "This is what I want to do". So I'm 15 years old, I decide I'm going to Wall Street.

It's OK to have a plan, to invest in your future - for your financial security, your love life, your personal fulfillment, and even your happiness. To have personal happiness as a stated goal doesn't detract from it if you get there.

Never have anyone else carry your luggage. Pack only what you need.

Serendipity is nice, but hoping for luck and the magic of happenstance shouldn't be an excuse for a lack of proactivity. I had to learn for myself that waiting isn't a life plan.