by DJ Schofield | Last Updated:December 26, 2023

In America, for the most part, everyone has an equal opportunity. This is a positive thing and a symptom of capitalism.

Notice that I didn’t say everyone has the same starting point, and I definitely didn’t say everyone has equal outcomes.

Sure, there’s some luck needed, some hard work needed, and probably 50 other things I am forgetting. Is the opportunity easier for Elon Musk’s son than it is for a child born to a homeless mother in Atlanta? Yes, obviously. But at the end of the day, both can become billionaires, and both can become bankrupt… Equal opportunity.

You see, there is a significant difference between equal opportunity and equal outcomes. In a very broad definition, at their core, these are capitalism and socialism.

I know there are many different specific definitions and levels of socialism and capitalism. I’m aware there are evil extremes to both. This isn’t political science writing; it is an example used to get my point across.

Equal Outcome

Socialism, in theory, gives everyone an equal outcome. No matter what you do, you receive the same pay and benefits, and everything is owned by the collective group (usually the government.)

This inherently creates an equal outcome. Your outcome is the same regardless of where you start or what you do.

This may sound crazy, but there are similar governmental systems to this today, and there have been many like this in the past. In the most, most (if not all) have failed… for fairly obvious reasons.

Humans and countries thrive when they have unity, purpose, and meaningful work. Lucky for all of us, there is an alternative that we actually live in.

Equal Opportunity

Capitalism, in theory, gives everyone an equal opportunity. You have the freedom to go to school, get a job, start a business, or whatever else you can think of to get ahead.

Essentially, the world is your oyster. It’s your job to find the best opportunity and capitalize on it.

This is a very good thing for hard-working, ambitious, and creative people. This is very bad for lazy, victim-minded individuals.

It’s no surprise why some love this theory, and others hate it.

Make it

The simplest way to put it is anyone can “make it,” but not everyone will “make it.”

So the question becomes, will you make it? This is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately.

After a lot of thought, I think the recipe is simple… not easy, but simple.

My very unique recipe that you’ve probably never seen or heard before:

1. Define “it”
2. Create a Plan to Achieve “it”
3. Take Action on Achieving “it”

Now it’s your turn. Get out there and make it.