Play the Cards You’re Dealt and Stop Feeling Guilty

Summary

• My dad, a successful doctor, wanted me to follow in his footsteps, but I chose a different path to create my success.
• I didn't want my achievements to be overshadowed by my dad; I wanted to prove myself independently.
• He gave me advice comparing my situation to Shaq being tall; it's like having luck, and you shouldn't feel bad about it.
• I realize I have had a lot of luck, like being born in America, having good genetics, and well-educated parents.
• With these advantages, my chances of failure are low.
• The key lesson is to play the cards you're dealt and not feel guilty for your advantages. Everyone has to work with what they have.

Video

How To Take Action

I would suggest implementing a few key points from these lessons and strategies into your life or business.

First, understand and appreciate your unique advantages. Look around and identify what strengths or resources you already have. Maybe it’s your skills, your network, or even something simple like the country you live in. Recognize these and stop feeling guilty about them. Use them to propel yourself forward.

Next, focus on playing the cards you’re dealt. It's easy to get caught up in what you don’t have, but the real game-changer is maximizing what you do have. Are you good at numbers? Use that to improve your financial planning. Are you a good communicator? Leverage that in sales or networking.

Third, avoid comparisons. Just like Shaq didn’t apologize for being tall, don’t waste energy comparing your journey to others’. Stay in your lane and push forward. Your uniqueness is your advantage.

Also, take small, consistent actions. It's not about making big moves all the time. Low-cost strategies like setting daily goals or dedicating a few hours each week to learning something new can bring in high returns. Maybe read a book, listen to podcasts, or meet someone for coffee who’s been where you want to go.

Lastly, don’t shy away from taking risks. You have advantages, use them to take calculated risks. It’s easier to bounce back when you know you have a solid foundation.

By working with what you have and not against it, and by steadily pushing forward, you'll carve out your path to success.

Full Transcript

my dad successful doctor he wanted me to be a physician I didn't want to be a physician because I didn't want my success to always be overshadowed by him and so everybody would be like you're only successful cuz your dad gave you whatever you had and so he pulled me aside and he said do you think Shaq at 71 was like well I don't want to play basketball because it's not fair that I'm this tall and other people aren't like of course there's luck the more I stay in this the more I feel like I have so much luck that I already had like I was born in America I was born as a guy I have good genetics two parents who have graduate level degrees like if I do just those things alone the likel that I fail is really low so that's not lost on me what do you want me to do about it you play the cards you're dealt cuz that's exactly what everyone else is going to do and you don't resent yourself and you certainly don't feel guilty for the pocket aces you got if you got them