A reality of the modern world is that many people have become millionaires based shear luck. Lottery games, game shows, and reality T.V. shows that promise millions as in prizes have helped to make a handful of people’s dreams of riches a reality.

The Lottery

Lottery games are a simple formula: pay a few bucks, pick a few numbers, cash in the winning ticket, and book the next flight to Cancun. It is hard to think of these lucky lottery winners as self-made millionaires. They are not the same as the self-made millionaire who worked hard and developed a successful business. However, the fact remains that they did use their hard-earned cash to purchase their ticket and they had the hope, dream, and belief that they might be the next winner and dared to take their shot at millions. For many, this hope and dream remains just that, but the few who do win find no shame in calling themselves self-made millionaires.

Putting In Their Time

Many of these winners were once hardworking individuals in the work force and put in just as many long hours as did the millionaires who worked their way up in the business world. The lucky winners of the lottery may have been in circumstances that prevented them from taking the risks necessary to become rich in a short period of time, and it would be a disservice to say that they had not worked every bit as hard in their life for the riches they received. To presume that lottery winners are not self-made millionaires is to presume that a certain amount of luck and good timing plays no role in the way in which self-made millionaires traditionally earn their wealth.

Reality Television

If anyone has ever seen an episode from any of the popular reality television shows, it is easy to see why the contestants on such shows truly earn their money. Many shows place contestants in embarrassing or stressful situations and force them to do typically outrageous things. Some reality shows, such as Donald Trump’s The Apprentice, truly test business savvy, while others reward daring stunts. Whatever the setting for the reality show, one thing is for sure: the contestants who win big have had to take daring chances, deal with complicated situations, and live up to the pressure of the moment. For many, this alone defines a self-made millionaire.