What about all the people that work hard but are not successful? I know people that no matter how hard they try they won't be software developers (not that this is the only well paying job). They do all those things you are talking about but they have to pick much less lucrative work. There is no big promise of high paying job. Those people are essentially being rewarded less for the same effort no? One of my close friends is in this position. He is working towards being a small business owner. He puts in so much more effort than I do. There is no doubt he'll eventually make it... but I still will get paid more because my skill-set is currently in much higher demand.