CO-HOST | Make Money by Staying Humble, Building Competence, and Embracing Luck

In this episode of the Travis Makes Money Podcast, Travis and producer Eric explore the relationship between luck, competence, humility, and success through lessons from Conan O’Brien, Danny McBride, and Patton Oswalt. They discuss why successful people can be tempted to take too much credit for their wins, how ego can prevent people from reinventing themselves, and why staying grounded while continuing to develop your skills is one of the best ways to build a lasting career. On this episode we talk about: Why successful people should acknowledge the role luck plays in their accomplishments How to balance humility about your circumstances with confidence in your own competence Why ego can prevent entrepreneurs from taking risks, trying new things, or reinventing themselves The importance of continuing to create, develop your skills, and focus on work you genuinely enjoy How staying grounded and maintaining a sense of play can lead to more opportunities and long-term success Top 3 Takeaways Success is a combination of competence and luck. Skills, knowledge, relationships, timing, and hard work all matter, but luck is part of the equation too. Recognizing that doesn't diminish your accomplishments—it can help keep your ego in check. Don't let your ego take you out of the game. Whether it's avoiding a game because you might lose or refusing to pursue a new career path because you might not immediately be great at it, protecting your ego can prevent you from doing things you actually enjoy and discovering new opportunities. Focus on the work, not just the outcome. The people who continue to succeed are often those who stay focused on creating things they care about rather than becoming obsessed with how others perceive their careers. Building a body of work and continuing to improve gives you something you can control regardless of whether the next big break arrives. Notable Quotes "Successful people commit first, and then they figure it out." "It's not all luck. It's not a hundred percent luck." "Why take myself out of the game just because it's a challenge to my own ego?" Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: instagram.com/travischappell Other: travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - Go to Leesa.com for 25% OFF select mattresses (through August 23, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices