So.. I wanted to ask the question to the people on OCUK who are earning (lets say) substantial money.... Here we go:
General point, but when you get above 200K, for most people, that will be a mixture of basic and bonus if you are an employee. I would not include pension, shares or other benefits as part of my annual wage, not sure why people would do that other than to make their earnings sound higher. A wage for me is what hits the bank each month and what that totals at the end of 12 months. The other stuff are benefits that make up my package, but not my wage.
1) At what point in your life did you realise you were destined to take home a 'substantially above average' pay cheque
Well when I chose a career in IT in the mid 80's it was a good start. The industry back then was full of people who made it big and though that changed there has always been big money in the right areas of tech. The first time you realise is when you get the payslip with confirmation and that is a fantastic feeling. Seeing a wage for a month that is maybe 4/5 times the average annual wage is quite something, but that tends not to be a monthly thing for the reasons I mention above.
2) Would you say your success was down to skill or luck? Or both? were you in the right place at the right time or did you have to fight for everything you achieved?
Both, but skill of the two is much more important. How you define skill is broad and is made up of many things, but luck IS elevated high by people who do less well to a disproportionate level. It is standard human nature for most to find reasons outside of their control to explain why they have failed to achieve something.
3) Did smarter people than you achieve far less purely because they did not know how to handle people and/or situations?
All the time. I have worked with many incredibly bright and talented people, who have an ability to understand and articulate that incredibly. But they often don't have the same triggers as people earning big money and are not motivated the same way. Nothing wrong with that, if they are happy then that is all that matters as not everyone can be good at everything.
4) What skill is most important in earning a huge salary (for your field)?
The ability to listen and apply learnings from bad and good experiences and the ability to spot an opportunity helps. For the vast majority of people and circumstances the person is the most influential aspect of success or not. Also learn to surround yourself with good people and try and ensure if they have your back, you have theirs.
Incredibly simply answers for a big question but tried to keep it concise and avoid my often seen wall of text
