Q: Tell me the secret to success.
A: Work hard every day.
Q: No, really. Tell me the secret.
A: …
I understand the desire to find a shortcut. Hard work is, well, hard, and we would like to avoid it if possible. Nevertheless, I’m fascinated by this unquenchable desire even though the answer is in plain sight. The dialog from the top is the summary of all Q&A sessions, interviews, and self-help books I’ve heard or read over the years. Hard work is often not sufficient for success, but is a necessary component.