To be successful you have to be lucky, or a little mad, or very

"To be successful you have to be lucky, or a little mad, or very talented, or find yourself in a rapid growth field." Thus spoke Edward de Bono, the master of creative thought, and his words are like a many-sided jewel, each facet shining with truth. For in this saying, he unveils the hidden tapestry of success, woven not by a single thread but by many: luck, madness, talent, and the rising tide of circumstance.

O Seekers, do not be deceived! Many believe success is born only of labor, or only of genius, or only of fortune. Yet de Bono speaks with the voice of reality: success is a dance of forces, a marriage of the expected and the unforeseen. Sometimes, the man who toils the hardest fails, while the one blessed by fortune prospers. Sometimes, the ordinary mind cannot break the chains of convention, but the one who is called mad dares the impossible and triumphs. Sometimes, even great talent is wasted in barren fields, but a lesser man, who finds himself in a rapid growth field, may rise upon the wave to greatness.

Reflect upon the story of Steve Jobs, the visionary of Apple. Was he not, in part, mad, for he imagined a world of beauty and technology when others saw only machines? Was he not talented, able to inspire others and shape ideas into reality? And was he not also borne upon the wave of a rapid growth field, as computers and digital devices spread like fire through the modern world? His success was not one thread, but many: madness, talent, and timing all converged into destiny.

Or think upon Alexander Fleming, who discovered penicillin not by design but by luck. A mold contaminated his experiment, and where others might have thrown it away, he looked closer. From this accident came the greatest medical advance of the twentieth century, saving countless lives. He had knowledge, yes, but it was luck that opened the door, and wisdom that stepped through. Here de Bono’s teaching becomes clear: sometimes fortune itself lays the cornerstone of greatness.

Yet, O Children of the Future, do not despair if you possess not all these elements. For though success may be aided by fortune, it is also prepared by the heart. Luck favors the prepared mind. Madness may be nothing more than the courage to think differently. Talent is sharpened by labor and practice. And as for the rapid growth field, it is wisdom to seek out the rivers that are swelling, rather than wasting your strength in dry valleys. Thus, each of these can, in part, be chosen, cultivated, or embraced.

But hear also the warning: none of these alone guarantee eternal success. Luck fades, madness can destroy, talent unused withers, and fields of growth eventually decline. The wise man does not trust blindly in one alone, but weaves them together, ever adjusting, ever learning. To be successful is to remain awake, to recognize opportunity, to nurture skill, to dare boldly, and to know when fortune smiles upon you.

Lesson: De Bono’s wisdom tells us this: there is no single road to success, but many. Do not wait only for luck, but prepare yourself so that when chance comes, you are ready. Do not fear being called mad, for the world’s great revolutions were birthed by those who refused to think like the crowd. Develop your talent with diligence, for it is the wellspring of true strength. And seek out the rapid growth fields of your age, for the man who rides the rising tide travels further with less effort.

Practical action: Ask yourself each day: Am I sharpening my talent? Am I courageous enough to embrace a little madness? Am I alert for the smile of luck? Am I planting myself in fertile ground, in a field of growth? In this way, you shall gather all four forces and let them carry you toward the destiny of your choosing.