Americans love cowboys, gangsters, bikers – rebels. We champion a rebellious spirit for its moxie, creativity and individual reliance. Were it not for our love affair with rebels, Hollywood icons like John Wayne, James Dean, Clint Eastwood, and Paul Newman, would not have an endearing universal appeal. We just like these guys, or at least the characters they portray.
As a culture, we staunchly believe in the individual. More importantly we believe in the power of the individual to overcome all obstacles in the pursuit of success. This is why we love rags-to-riches stories from Oprah, Dolly Parton, and JK Rowling, to industrial titans like Lakshmi Mittal. Is their success due solely to a singular drive and determination? No, success is a mixture of community, opportunities, and free will. For the best chance of success we then should: surround ourselves with an influentially positive community (family, friends, professional & social networks), search out any opportunities, and then make the best choice.
