A weekly column by Peter Lawless

For many Irish people in the past, going to America was the road to riches. The USA, the land of opportunity, welcomed people from every nationality, with the lure of massive wealth and prosperity.

The reality for many millions was different. While there are thousands of millionaires in the land of plenty, the divide between rich and poor seems to continue to widen. Today 1% of Americans enjoy 95% of the wealth of the country.

Ireland, as a result of a favourable tax regime and massive levels of foreign investment, appears to be the new land of promise, to many. Our population has increased 25%, due to immigration, and our culture is now one of wonderful diversity.

But is opportunity still available? Is wealth a privilege, that only indigenous Irish people are destined to enjoy. Did you have to make your money in property in the late 90's and early 00's?

All good workmen and craftsmen use tools for their trade. No matter how skilled a painter Michael Angelo may have been, with only a 10cm paint brush, the Sistine Chapel may have looked somewhat akin to back end of the DART!

We start life as a blank sheet of canvas, and our experiences, knowledge and education create the piece of art that the world will remember us by.

Will you be a masterpiece or someone remembered by few?

Over the coming weeks, this column will give you some of the tools, to help you reach your wildest dreams. All you need is belief in your self and persistence.

The only failure that you will ever experience is a failure to learn from your actions, or inactions. Each dead-end you meet as your career and ambitions grow, are a directional sign, which if read correctly will point you towards ultimate success.

Content of next 13 Columns.

• Put off until tomorrow, what doesn't need to be done today.
• The 8,000 year old secret to abundant wealth.
• Learn how to stand up for yourself and stop taking crap!
• How to beat the time trap and make time work for you.
• Why Elephants can't do Ballet!
• Love thy neighbour as thy self – what that really means.
• What do leaders look like in the shower?
• Is there really such a thing as true financial freedom?
• Where does the career ladder start?
• Knowing when to quit, and just go home.
• Drop your friends like hotcakes.
• Smashing the failure barrier into smithereens.
• How to stop commuter hell, driving you nuts!

While each of these articles will provide a tool, to help you achieve your own definition of success, there is still one more ingredient that we need.

And that is You.

This is YOUR newspaper, so we want to know what you think. We want to answer your questions and concerns. We want to know if we are writing about what you want, and if you find the information useful.

So please do write to us, ask us questions and share your experiences. Your fellow readers will really appreciate it so much.  

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