1/ Skill and success compound over time similar to the way capital can compound. Success and skill attract other other skillful people as colleagues from whom you learn more [repeat]. Of all topics in my recent Infinite Loops podcast, this flywheel idea generated the most DMs.

2/ How much you know doesn't need to be an accident. The the more you learn and acquire skills, the more skillful and knowledgeable people say, "Wow, she knows a lot. Let's get her involved." Each time you level up on knowledge and skill the more powerful is this feedback loop.

3/ I tell young people to pick an area and dig in as far as they can to learn and grow their skills. Inevitably people will come to them with questions, information and opportunities. The more you know, the more other people will want to know what you know. Success compounds.

4/ Luck is what you can't control. I was lucky to have fantastic parents. If you can control something, like how much you know and the level of skill you have, that is skill not luck. Helping people bootstrap their skill and success flywheels is rewarding. https://www.amazon.com/Success-Equation-Untangling-Business-Investing/dp/1422184234#ace-g9766277718

5/ Because of the pandemic there are a lot of people who don't have a success and skill flywheel that is spinning in a way that generates positive outcomes. For too many there are anti-success flywheels creating negative outcomes. Helping others successfully spin = life karma.

6/ In what area should someone become an expert?

Make it a passion: Creating and sustaining expertise = vastly easier.

Be specific. In tech, areas like K8s or the API economy are too broad. Specialize after acquiring broader expertise.

Surf a wave: Be early in the lineup.

7/ Is this approach useful for older people rebooting a career? Sure, but they are more likely to know this from experience. Reminders are good tho.

Never stop learning and often you learn from smart colleagues and customers. Try to create feedback loops with positive outcomes