If you wish to be successful, runs an old Chinese proverb, talk to three old men.
A research organization asked several hundred men over sixty, from all walks of life, what their biggest mistake had been. The following things turned up again and again:
Dropped out of college.
Did not stick to anything.
Did not save money.
Would not listen to the advice of older, wiser heads.
Played it safe and missed the big opportunity.
Didn't work hard enough.