The most relevant example I can provide is that I was a very strong advocate for racial equality since my teens. Recently after George Floyd's death and the mainstreaming of Black Lives Matter, I told my wife that I don't have the energy to get involved - though I did participate in several marches with my kids (more for them than me or black people - because I'm convinced of the impact). I applaud those doing impactful work .... and perhaps my focus on making an impact had impact which I did not see. I hope it did.
the definition of luck i like to use is "when hard work and opportunity meet". there has been a lot of both but i can't stress how much opportunity has presented itself.
i don't believe i deserve 10x the income that many people earn. i do believe i can create 10x the value...but it doesn't seem right that the correlation of rewards should be so drastic. i couldn't be a ceo of a large company but i don't think they deserve 10x my income either.
Looking back - I don't think any of it made much difference - though I have no regrets.
Now that I'm in my early 40s I've sort of lost the energy to care so much. I empathize with people struggling but sort of throw my hands up in the air.
I've shifted my focus toward my family and I feel pretty good about that.
It feels like I'm having A LOT more impact by investing time and money into my family than I was able to by investing in others and their families.