Answering Neeramitra here so everyone can see it.

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Thanks for the constructive comment.

I am not a genetic determinist. I picked energy and IQ because both seem to be the only two necessary traits that people need to succeed, in the sense that the absence of one of them changes the whole picture; and both are widely genetically determined (40%-80%)

You've mentioned networking, people skills, observation, courage, etc. These are dependent on either IQ or energy. Furthermore, as, bootstrapped SaaS startups, content creators, indie video game makers or even musicians have shown, you don't need to know people or network to succeed - you "just" need to be really good at what you do. And that, sadly, depends on IQ and energy.

IQ tells you what decision to make. Energy gives you the means to achieve it.

You can succeed on IQ and energy alone, but you cannot succeed to the same extent if you're lacking one of them, or both. You can't compensate lack of IQ and/or energy with networking, or education, or anything, for that matter. In fact, you can't even network without energy and a minimum amount of intelligence.

My experience meeting extremely successful people + whichever way I turn the equation around have resulted in IQ and energy appearing to be both necessary *and* sufficient for wide financial success. They also appear to be root traits of all of the others you have cited.

Of course, I am always open to be wrong. Hell, this article is grim, so *I would like* to be wrong.

We know that financial success requires creativity, courage, and perseverance.

I have yet to meet someone lacking intelligence and/or energy exhibiting those traits.

Luckily, financial success isn't all that there is life. Friends, family, and health are much more important IMHO.

Edit: seems like Shapiro's IQ is 140.