How to be successful? Lawyers, Doctors, Businessmen!

I searched, and couldn't really find anything, I I thought I would start a new thread. So I am fifteen and a half years old. I currently work 18 hours a week, which is the maximum I can work for my age in California. Instead of going to school everyday, I do independent study. I want to be successful in life, I want to have a comfortable style of living, hopefully be able to own a few Ferraris. What are the things I can do to be successful? I want to be a lawyer, doctor, or some sort of businessmen when I grow up. What advice can you offer?

Rob

 

Engineer undergrad / MD here.

I took the scenic route. Undergrad for 2. Sailed for 3 years. undergrad for 2. engineer for 4. med school / residency / fellowship...

My point. never stop learning and growing.

work hard at whatever you do. when it becomes stagnant... consider a change. you are never stuck.

At your age, stay flexible and be well rounded.

 

Any of these careers requires massive work on your part. My advice is you pursue something you love or you will hate it & fail in more ways than one. You have to have the drive, intellect and passion to become not only a successful professional in your field but a good one.

 

Whatever you choose make sure you enjoy it !

There are plenty of unsuccessful doctors, lawyers, etc out there...a common factor is they dont enjoy it. They just got into it for the money. Thats a quick way to failure.

Also, never forget there are infinite paths to success. You arent limited to the usual suspects.

I have a friend who is worth 9 figures and makes video games.

 

I'm 18, so I'm kinda in your situation also. What I've always been told is do something you really enjoy, the money will come later. Good luck .

Kevin

 

Here's the deal, guys. You're lucky--you have your entire lives ahead of you. You'll hear so many cliches from the older set that at your age can come off as eye-rollers. But listen to what you hear from your elders, because if they're willing to waste time giving advice, it's worthwhile listening. The most important thing you'll ever hear is what Jerry said--do what you enjoy. Doesn't mean you should forego an education, just pursue something you'll enjoy. In fact, promise yourselves that you'll never stop learning in life. There are myriad ways to make a great living--which is important too--and you shouldn't necessarily have to relegate your interests to the hobby pile when considering careers. "Things" shouldn't be a goal, they should be the product of your hard work. Do you want to be a doctor, or do you want a doctor's income? Do you want to be a lawyer, or do you want the income? Because if those aren't careers you truly love, then 14-hour days in the office or sticking your fingers up peoples' butts won't be any more enjoyable just because you get to spend rush hour sitting in a Ferrari rather than a Honda.

 

VERY well said. Thanks for the advice.

 

For now, just have as many fun, diverse experiences as possible. While in HS and UG do things that are enriching but possibly not even profit generating. You have the other 50+ years to grind away for money.

If you mention both doctor OR lawyer as possible careers tells me that you're picking based on $$$ rather than your skills or interests. They're pretty different jobs, and one might make you very unhappy and the other not, or, you might find that neither is suited for you. And that's not a bad thing!

If you want to keep both of those doors open during college, just take at least a science minor to get all of your med school prerequisites. Law schools prefer hard science undergrad degrees BTW, since a large chunk are social science majors and every school wants to churn out patent lawyers these days, for the school's own academic prestige.

Lastly, beware of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dtixs0UhkI

 

don't forget that just mesauring your "success" by $'s misses out on family, friends, your health, babes, travel, track-time, beach time.... you get the point. Sometimes you need to buckle down and focus on one thing, but not forever - there's more to life .

How does that saying go: the first bit I spent on women, wine and cars, the rest I just wasted? well - almost...

If you plan your time, you'll reach your goals; relax and enjoy these years - you can never get them back. As others have said, this isn't a dress rehearsal for life.

 

Thanks for all the advice guys! The reason I was saying doctor and lawyer is because my grandpa is a doctor, and I have always enjoyed watching him work. The reason I said lawyer is because I LOVE debate!

 

Ah, well, sadly, debate is only a small part of it. 96% of it is mind numbing paperwork and filling out forms, writing routine repetitive documents with precision, etc. There's a misconception that lawyering is debate class, when honestly it's more like math homework.

I'd say going into lawyering because you like to argue is like becoming a pilot because you really like Samsonite luggage.

 

Around your age, two things had a giant impact on me. A video and a book...

The video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc

The book: http://www.mrrena.com/misc/marden_miracle.php

 

thumbs up to this.

 

I agree that you should do what you enjoy. I have been a practicing attorney for 25+ years, sometimes for 60+ hours a week, yet have never "worked" a day those 25+ years...

 

Lawyer? Doctor? Meh.

Try plumber. Preferably union. Get an engineering degree first though.

You can live with back pain but if the toilet doesn't flush you won't be calling your attorney.

 

Another thought... sales! I've done VERY well over the years and met lots of
great people, as a sales rep for 15+ companies that make pro audio (installation)
gear. What things do you like? SELL THEM!

IMO, college is overrated. Yeah - I have a degree in business - got it AFTER I was
already doing well. Never really used any of that so-called training in the "real world".

Jedi

 

Get good at managing people because there is only so many hours in the day. You are seeing now that you are limited to 18 hours a week even if you could work 50 hours a week at some point you are physically limited to how long you can work. You need people working under you making you money. Only then will your income be unlimited.

 

My angle: Yes, schooling is a good plan. Throughout history, those with it come out farther ahead than those without it. Read, read, read. Be wary of newspapers.

You may fall into a field like I did. Many doors were closed to me, but then, many opened as a result. For you, when doors open, be ready to hit.

Network with people when possible. Be positive, but realistic. Too much positive thinking, for example, got us into this economic mess.

Good luck.

 

The only chance you have these days is work for yourself. And do something that leverages your time and pays you while you sleep. If you can figure that out you'll make it. Good luck.

 

Find a job, any job and stick with it. Learn to work hard even when you don't want to.
Many people find their passion in their 60's when its to late. Others when they are kids. Do as many internships as possible to find the right career FOR YOU, not what your parents or friends want you to do.
Be careful what you say and do on the internet, it will come back to haunt you one day. Massive data mining operations are being undertaken by the likes of yahoo and google to be able to follow all of your moves online so they can more effectively advertise products (That is fact. I know several people working on the projects)

 

madmax has a good point.....madderafac, I forgot to add that. Mad gets the credit here....LOL

Watch out for facebook. High schoolers who do not spend much time on it on avg get 0.2 points higher in GPA. 0.2 may not seem like much, but it is. Dont act stupid on that website.

 

Agreed! As Einstein said, education is essential, but school on the other hand ...

And I like the way Steve Jobs had put it to close his speech: Stay hungry, stay foolish.

If you think about it, there's no single definition of what success is, though in most places including this case it means $. The key is that you need to define what success is, or else you'll be chasing after something else. Is health high on the list? How about family and friends? Or personal success such as playing a sport you really enjoy? Where does being trustworthy sit on that list? If you write it down, prioritize it, then review it, you'll see that it guides you to where you.

I would suggest reading the book Be Great by Peter Thomas. Thomas has made his mark and now spends his time helping guide others to their own successes. Clear and to the point with good examples.

 

My definition is simple. Being in a position to use your time the way you choose.

I could have a couple million in the bank but if my lifestyle requires me to answer to someone or have them dictate my time then that couple million is meaningless.

 

Thanks for all the help guys!

 

Marry well.