Why Can’t I Get A Break?

Did you know that the inventor of the oil derrick died penniless and destitute?

One hundred and fifty years ago, in Titusville, Pennsylvania, Edwin Laurentine Drake figured out how to drive a pipe into the ground, in a way that debris would not fill it up, and extract oil. Before that, people either dug ditches in the ground, or collected oil where it seeped up to the surface. Many, many people in the town copied Drake’s invention, and became very rich. Not Drake.

The company that Drake worked for let him go. Drake’s health deteriorated. He was encouraged to move to the New Jersey shore, hopeful that the sea air would be beneficial. It was not. His health continued to deteriorate. He moved to a spa in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The spa closed down.

The State of Pennsylvania made millions in taxes from Drake’s invention. Someone familiar with Drake’s condition convinced the State to set aside some funds for him. Which they did. $1,500. People are always so generous with their tax dollars.

Some people can never get a break.

We all feel this way sometimes — we can never get a break!

While luck and being in the right place at the right time does play a part in how successful we are. But success has more to do with how we manage our business as it plays out publicly.