Is the extra struggle worth it?

Kendall Jenner has caused quite a stir lately. She’s the youngest billionaire ever. At 19!

Now take that piece of news, and tell someone about it and listen to what they say.

I’m guessing that they’ll talk about how unfair it is, and how lucky she is. Then they’ll probably make some snarky comment saying that it doesn’t really count. That anyone who grew up in the Kardashian household would easily be able to be a billionaire. That she got a massive “handout” from her family.

Each of the fifty people I’ve spoken to has given me some version of this response. And to me, this story shows a major problem in our thinking.

It’s that we mistakenly believe that, unless you become successful on your own merit, it doesn’t really count. For example: you shun talking to your powerful uncle who could help because want to do it on your own. You don’t want to live with your parents to save money on rent. You don’t ask your recruiter friend to help you find a qualified candidate.

Clearly you’re not using all of your advantages because of this faulty belief. You could easily accomplish what your goals but you actually want the extra struggle. And that’s insane.

Why make it unnecessarily hard for yourself? Why don’t you use the advantages that you’re given?

The reality is: You don’t get brownie points for the extra struggle. All you get is wasted time not doing what you really want to do.

Kendall Jenner is the youngest billionaire ever. That is news worthy. But what’s more news worthy is that she used all of her advantages to get there.

Shouldn’t you do the same too?