Nature vs. Nurture

Do you ever notice how siblings can be so different?

In my family, we have two boys and a girl. One of the boys is driven (no names will be used). One of the boys is not at all. And the girl is somewhere in between.

I have seen that in tons of families - siblings with very differing levels of interest in material success or recognition or just plain achievement.

Why?

It must have something to do with birth order...or genetics.

Are some people just raring to go the minute they come out of the womb?

I think the answer is 'yes,' but I have no idea why.

So if you are wired for achievement, unfortunately you have no choice but to do your best to achieve. If you decide to kick back, you may find yourself more anxious than when you engage in a crazily difficult challenge.

There's no point kidding yourself. If you're wired for challenge, you might as well get on with it.

Genes and dreams. Do you think people are literally wired to work hard?

Comments

[R. Kennedy]

Another great post Jim. This is something I think about quite a bit -- the nature vs. nurture thing.

But I'm not convinced it's nature. I really believe in the tabula rasa idea ... we just don't understand the ways in which our early social, environmental experiences -- which are unique for the individual -- can impact the way someone sees the world and what they value.

I think these particular tendencies are developed at such a young age it may be easy to think of them as being hard wired at birth though ... relates to what Buffett said about "the chains of habit are too light to be felt, until they are too difficult to be broken" ... and I think this applies to both negative habits and positive habits, like a habit for hard work and a habit for taking action to move toward a goal and achieve.

You seen the movie Gattaca Jim? Great flick you gotta rent ... more food for thought on nature vs. nurture. Probably one of, if not my favorit movie.

[Jim Randel]

Thanks! Your points are very well made. And I don't disagree with you that the influences at a young age may be too subtle to be noticed. Some people, of course, believe that birth order is a factor.

I appreciate your comments. They made me think!

[Hermes Outlet]

I "like" you on Facebook. Would love these for my oldest boy!