<p>dmd77 - While I think my comment above is sensible, as far as it goes, I dont think it addressed your point. I have known PLENTY of people, in every field I have ever been in contact with, who became successes without hard work. It can help greatly, of course, but, unlike talent, luck, serendipity, connections, and health, in my experience, it is far from essential, or at least success is not necessarily dependent on it.</p>