I was brought up on the work hard, get good grades and work hard at a good career and one will prosper mentality. Then an accountant friend suggested I read Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad Poor Dad and boy did my mind set change!
Working alongside guys all on six figure salaries it became apparent that some were doing extremely well while others on the identical pay scale lived pay check to pay check.
Doing some digging revealed that the ones doing well made their dollars work for them as opposed to being a slave to it. I'm glad this change of mind-set occured in my early 20's as now in my late 20's having read countless titles on investment and personal development (and continuing to do so), through applying the principles learned I no longer have to rely on the 9-5 for my crust.
It's like someone mentioned earlier about their PT. It's funny how some will snigger with envy and ask "why not me?" meanwhile the clever ones ask "how can I?"
In the past few generations what it takes to be wealthy has changed drastically, I do believe in working hard to a point, but working smarter is much better