I believe the world is more complicated than many “successful” people realize. The most significant factor for success is having either a strong support system (well educated family and friends) or enough focus and determination to overcome the lack of those. A larger than expected portion of the population is coming to realize they are autistic or have adhd or both. Some of them can and do build successful lives but many more cannot. Everyone struggles to some degree but for many simply holding down a 9-5 job is a tremendous feat.
I have never been an ambitious person. I’m just wired differently. I came from a stable but very lower middle class family. I’ve always known I was different than my peers but it wasn’t until the last 7 years (In my 40’s!

) that I understood what it means to be autistic and how it has shaped me. It might sound like an excuse but it does hold me back. It does keep me from doing what I must from time to time. Understanding this about myself helps a little but it doesn’t fix me.
It’s interesting to hear about guys like Tom who really seem to have life figured out. He seems to have an immense capacity to juggle many balls and and the discipline to maintain them. In my world he’s literally extraordinary! We all know Jason isn’t perfect but he too seems to have an enormous ability to cope with stress. I remember him saying that he always knew he wanted to run a business. He’s just kinda wired that way. Maybe that’s why I’ve stuck around here. To be amongst greatness.