--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My father's example taught me…" description: "\"My father's example taught me self-reliance, to make my own luck, and to work to make things happen.\" — Neil Oliver" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/334/neil-oliver-28285_example_my-father-s-example-taught-me-self-relia_1627923.jpg" --- # My father's example taught me self-reliance, to make my… ![“My father's example taught me self-reliance, to make my own luck, and to work to make things happen.” quote by Neil Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/334/neil-oliver-28285_example_my-father-s-example-taught-me-self-relia_1627923.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/334/neil-oliver-28285_example_my-father-s-example-taught-me-self-relia_1627923.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/334/neil-oliver-28285_example_my-father-s-example-taught-me-self-relia_1627923.jpg) > “My father's example taught me self-reliance, to make my own luck, and to work to make things happen.” [Neil Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-oliver/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A parent’s behavior models self‑reliance and proactive effort, teaching that personal initiative shapes success. **In simple terms:** Learning independence from a role model. Key Takeaway Cultivate self‑reliance and take initiative. Themes self‑reliance role model effort Mood inspirational pragmatic Type educational motivational When to use this quote - career building - entrepreneurship - personal growth Key Concepts personal development agency Questions to Reflect On - How does your family influence your work ethic? - When is collaboration better than solo effort? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on individualism can ignore community support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Luck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/luck/) [Make things happen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-things-happen/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self reliance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-reliance/) [Things happen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-happen/) ## Related quotes > [Luck does play a huge role in whatever field you're practicing, whether that's medicine, acting, singing; but the way you make luck work for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-varshavski/luck-does-play-a-huge-role-in-whatever-field-you-re-practicing/) [Mikhail Varshavski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-varshavski/) > [It turns out that you make your own luck but you work hard to keep it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idris-elba/it-turns-out-that-you-make-your-own-luck-but-you-work-hard-to-keep-it/) [Idris Elba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idris-elba/) > [Before I had a son, I used to look at my father's example: he left me, he left my mother. When I had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/french-montana/before-i-had-a-son-i-used-to-look-at-my-father-s-example-he-left-me/) [French Montana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/french-montana/) > [Even though I admired my father as an example, as a general... on the relationship side, I felt he lacked a bit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rickson-gracie/even-though-i-admired-my-father-as-an-example-as-a-general-on-the/) [Rickson Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rickson-gracie/) > [I am a daughter. My father is an example for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malala-yousafzai/i-am-a-daughter-my-father-is-an-example-for-me/) [Malala Yousafzai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malala-yousafzai/) > [I really had loving parents, and my father was the example of perseverance... he never gave up, and he taught me it's so easy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/park-yeon-mi/i-really-had-loving-parents-and-my-father-was-the-example-of/) [Park Yeon-mi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/park-yeon-mi/) > [After us, Barca had the luck, which in reality is not luck but work, to combine three things: a young coach with new ideas,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deco/after-us-barca-had-the-luck-which-in-reality-is-not-luck-but-work-to/) [Deco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deco/) > [Good things happen not because of luck, but because you work hard to get them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/good-things-happen-not-because-of-luck-but-because-you-work-hard-to/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [There is no luck, you work hard and study things intently. If you do that for long and hard enough you're successful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-calacanis/there-is-no-luck-you-work-hard-and-study-things-intently-if-you-do/) [Jason Calacanis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-calacanis/) > [I've had the pleasure and the great luck to work with some incredible actors over the years and you have to observe and learn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cillian-murphy/i-ve-had-the-pleasure-and-the-great-luck-to-work-with-some-incredible/) [Cillian Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cillian-murphy/) > [“Chuck the luck. Work smarter than harder, for success doesn’t happen just by chance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrmn-ca-vikram-verma/chuck-the-luck-work-smarter-than-harder-for-success-doesn-t-happen/) [Vikrmn: CA Vikram Verma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrmn-ca-vikram-verma/) > [Success isn't just about luck. You work hard for the luck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/success-isn-t-just-about-luck-you-work-hard-for-the-luck/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [For some reason, I have better luck when I work with women. I guess I have a good sense of sisterhood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/for-some-reason-i-have-better-luck-when-i-work-with-women-i-guess-i/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [“Be grateful for the life of those who mass up challenges on the paths to your fulfillment. At least they taught you self-defense!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/be-grateful-for-the-life-of-those-who-mass-up-challenges-on-the-paths/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [Punk gave us an engine and it taught us to be self-fulfilling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andi-oliver/punk-gave-us-an-engine-and-it-taught-us-to-be-self-fulfilling/) [Andi Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andi-oliver/) ## More by Neil Oliver > [It took me a while to get established - success didn't happen overnight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-oliver/it-took-me-a-while-to-get-established-success-didn-t-happen-overnight/) [Neil Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-oliver/) > [I find it so easy to read qualified commentators who are 180 degrees opposed to each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-oliver/i-find-it-so-easy-to-read-qualified-commentators-who-are-180-degrees/) [Neil Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-oliver/) > [“Ginger people! D'you know what they are? Our aborigines ... that's what! GINGERIGINES! Look at 'em ... they were 'ere first. All this is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-oliver/ginger-people-d-you-know-what-they-are-our-aborigines-that-s-what/) [Neil Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-oliver/) > [I trust to luck. I am planning to be a millionaire before I die but I don't have a plan as to how that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-oliver/i-trust-to-luck-i-am-planning-to-be-a-millionaire-before-i-die-but-i/) [Neil Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-oliver/) > [“Only the rock lasts forever”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-oliver/only-the-rock-lasts-forever/) [Neil Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-oliver/) > [After I graduated from the University of Glasgow, I was a self-employed archaeologist going from dig to dig around Scotland, and it was not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-oliver/after-i-graduated-from-the-university-of-glasgow-i-was-a-self/) [Neil Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-oliver/) > [I have always been quite careful when I have been approached to do a television project to have the option of writing the accompanying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-oliver/i-have-always-been-quite-careful-when-i-have-been-approached-to-do-a/) [Neil Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-oliver/) > [It is security that I crave and money provides security. What is that old line about money? "Some is good, more is better and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-oliver/it-is-security-that-i-crave-and-money-provides-security-what-is-that/) [Neil Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-oliver/) > [Television came looking for me; it was never a plan to become a presenter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-oliver/television-came-looking-for-me-it-was-never-a-plan-to-become-a/) [Neil Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-oliver/) > [I worked on local papers, before taking a job as a webmaster with a very well known telecommunications company in London, as I thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-oliver/i-worked-on-local-papers-before-taking-a-job-as-a-webmaster-with-a/) [Neil Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-oliver/) > [My wife has always supported me in my career, even when there were times when it was more sensible to get a job. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-oliver/my-wife-has-always-supported-me-in-my-career-even-when-there-were/) [Neil Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-oliver/) > [My father was a self-employed, commission-only salesman. He sold double-glazing and fitted kitchens, amongst other things. As he never declared himself unemployed, there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-oliver/my-father-was-a-self-employed-commission-only-salesman-he-sold-double/) [Neil Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-oliver/) > [“I was born on a storm-swept rock and hate the soft growth of sun-baked lands where there is no frost in men’s bones.’ Liam…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-oliver/i-was-born-on-a-storm-swept-rock-and-hate-the-soft-growth-of-sun-2/) [Neil Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-oliver/) > [I'm wary of the new contactless ways of paying. The idea of paying with your phone is a little worrying: I have lost more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-oliver/i-m-wary-of-the-new-contactless-ways-of-paying-the-idea-of-paying/) [Neil Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-oliver/) > [People looking at what I do from the outside would think it was a secure world I live in, but it isn't. Just because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-oliver/people-looking-at-what-i-do-from-the-outside-would-think-it-was-a/) [Neil Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-oliver/) [Explore all 19 Neil Oliver quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-oliver/) ## More Example quotes > [I love playing for my country, getting the support. Especially for the kids and everybody, showing my example of what I can achieve so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-sharapova/i-love-playing-for-my-country-getting-the-support-especially-for-the/) [Maria Sharapova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-sharapova/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [I think leading by example is important, as I know the next generation is watching us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-skolnik/i-think-leading-by-example-is-important-as-i-know-the-next-generation/) [Michael Skolnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-skolnik/) > [Can you imagine any better example of divine creative accomplishment that the consummate flying machine that is a bird? The skeleton, very flexible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-murchie/can-you-imagine-any-better-example-of-divine-creative-accomplishment/) [Guy Murchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-murchie/) > [Men trust rather to their eyes than to their ears; the effect of precepts is therefore slow and tedious, whilst that of examples is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/men-trust-rather-to-their-eyes-than-to-their-ears-the-effect-of/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Popular culture as a whole is popular, but in today's fragmented market it's a jostle of competing unpopular popular cultures. As the critic Stanley…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/popular-culture-as-a-whole-is-popular-but-in-today-s-fragmented/) [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) > [You can have examples of reasons to hate people, but if you analyze those reasons it's like, Oh, I'm hating that person based on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlyne-yi/you-can-have-examples-of-reasons-to-hate-people-but-if-you-analyze/) [Charlyne Yi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlyne-yi/) > [The protestant world is in great need of examples (like these) that will beckon us to the fullness of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-bickle/the-protestant-world-is-in-great-need-of-examples-like-these-that/) [Mike Bickle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-bickle/) > [If it comes to a question of law, the charges they brought against me - the Espionage Act - is called the quintessential political…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/if-it-comes-to-a-question-of-law-the-charges-they-brought-against-me/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [I'm not the most vocal guy, but I try to lead by example every single day with how I work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-ingram/i-m-not-the-most-vocal-guy-but-i-try-to-lead-by-example-every-single/) [Brandon Ingram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-ingram/) > [But actually theory is very practical. Gravity is a theory, for example. It allows you to predict that if you step off a cliff…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clayton-christensen/but-actually-theory-is-very-practical-gravity-is-a-theory-for-example/) [Clayton Christensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clayton-christensen/) > [I had the best example set by my parents for what a couple can - and, in my opinion, should - be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-young/i-had-the-best-example-set-by-my-parents-for-what-a-couple-can-and-in/) [Brett Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-young/) > [Once an activity has been socialized, it is impossible to point out, by concrete example, how men in a free market could better conduct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-read/once-an-activity-has-been-socialized-it-is-impossible-to-point-out-by/) [Leonard Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-read/) > [I don't join the New Atheists. 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Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-h-w-bush/) Browse all 5,618 Example quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My father's example taught me self-reliance, to make my own luck, and to work to make things happen.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Neil Oliver" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-oliver/my-father-s-example-taught-me-self-reliance-to-make-my-own-luck-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Example" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-oliver/my-father-s-example-taught-me-self-reliance-to-make-my-own-luck-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/334/neil-oliver-28285_example_my-father-s-example-taught-me-self-relia_1627923.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/334/neil-oliver-28285_example_my-father-s-example-taught-me-self-relia_1627923.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/334/neil-oliver-28285_example_my-father-s-example-taught-me-self-relia_1627923.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My father's example taught me self-reliance, to make my own luck, and to work to make things happen.” — Neil Oliver", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Neil Oliver", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-oliver/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "My father's example taught me self-reliance,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-oliver/my-father-s-example-taught-me-self-reliance-to-make-my-own-luck-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-oliver/my-father-s-example-taught-me-self-reliance-to-make-my-own-luck-and/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```