Why Dumb People Make More Money Than You.

If you’re not a millionaire (or even close to billionaire status), there’s a good chance it’s because you’re just too smart. Sounds odd, right? But stick with me.

Take a look at the numbers. In the U.S., the average GPA for millionaires sits around 2.9. That’s barely above a C average—far from top-of-the-class. If you’ve ever crossed paths with people like this or seen them all over the internet, a part of you probably found them a bit annoying. And why shouldn’t you? They’re not the sharpest tools in the shed. They’re not well-read or exceptionally educated. You’re smarter, right? So why are they pulling ahead financially? Why are they making so much more money than you?

Let's break it down.

The Myth of the “Genius” Billionaire

First, let’s address a common concern you might be thinking: What about the tech and finance billionaires and entrepreneurs? They can’t be dumb; they’re geniuses, right?

The truth is that while some may have genuine intelligence, many billionaires are simply great at playing the part of a genius. It’s no coincidence that tech and finance moguls are the ones who aggressively portray themselves as intellectual powerhouses. Why? Because it is profitable, and their entire business model hinges on convincing you to invest your money in their ventures. If they can project genius, they can persuade the masses that their money is safer in their hands than in your own.

Elizabeth Holmes is the perfect example. She didn’t just pretend to be brilliant; she wrapped herself in the image of Steve Jobs, from the wardrobe to the quirks, to sell the idea that she had the next world-changing product. And it worked—until it didn’t, and we all found out she was a complete con artist. The same goes for Sam Bankman-Fried, whose “genius” facade collapsed with fraud charges. There’s a pattern here.

On the other side of the coin, you have someone like Barbara Corcoran, the entrepreneur from Shark Tank who was labeled the "dumb kid" throughout high school, struggling with dyslexia and barely scraping by with D grades. At 23, she borrowed $11,000 from her boyfriend to start a real estate business and today is worth over $100 million.

Then there’s Mark Cuban, who barely made it through a college technology course by cheating on his exams. Instead of heading to an Ivy League school, he chose Indiana University simply because it was the most affordable option. After college, he bounced between three jobs before stumbling upon his true calling in tech—the very field he had to cheat to pass. Today, Mark Cuban’s net worth exceeds $6 billion.

Both Barbara and Mark are well-known investors on Shark Tank, and if you examine the backgrounds of the other sharks, you’ll find a similar pattern. Most had average or even poor academic records, often attending unremarkable colleges and majoring in unrelated fields. Society labeled them as failures and “dumb” at some point in their lives. Yet, these individuals, with their 2.9 GPAs, represent the vast majority of the ultra-wealthy. Why is this so?

Brains Only Get You So Far

At the top tier of wealth, persistence and risk-taking are rewarded far more than high IQs. Doctors, lawyers, and elite financiers certainly need intelligence to navigate their rigorous training and exams, and they’re typically compensated well. However, most of these professionals don’t break into the top 1% of earners in the U.S. alone. To put this in perspective you need to earn at least $597,000 before taxes. The average income for someone in the top 1% is around $1.4 million.

While certain doctors, lawyers, and senior executives can hit those numbers, they represent a minority. Most of the individuals earning this much are business owners, and as you know the barriers to entry in business are lower than the genius-level intellect required to become a top surgeon. Not to mention the fact that business doesn’t demand straight A’s; it demands risk-takers.

“Mindless” Pursuit Is The Way To Success

Here is what happens when someone “mindlessly” pursues success. Imagine being told you’re not cut out for much, that you’re “dumb.” You knock on doors, make cold calls, and get rejected over and over. With no ego to bruise, you keep going, undeterred. The first sale comes after 100 tries, then another, and another. Without an ego whispering, “This is beneath you,” you keep at it. You refine, you repeat. And soon, you’re not just making sales—you’re building a business. That’s how a 2.9 GPA mind outlasts the smartest person in the room. One day, you wake up among the 1% of society—not due to intelligence, but because you were mindlessly persistent in the right way.

Now, look at the straight-A student who went to a top university, who’s been taught that playing by the rules yields success. They face their first “no” and think, “I did everything right. This shouldn’t be happening.” So they quit. It’s a mindset issue, one that starts with the education system. The highly intelligent often tend to rationalize their way out of uncomfortable tasks, burying themselves in plans and ideas, retreating from action. In simple terms, they’re too smart for their own good. Meanwhile, the “average” person dives in without overthinking.

Typically, highly intelligent individuals try to outthink their discomfort. They create logical reasons to avoid the uncomfortable tasks that no one enjoys, retreating to the safety of their desks and the comfort of their creative thoughts. In contrast, a more mindless person would simply start knocking on doors, experiencing the same initial rejection.

What sets this mindless person apart? When they meet resistance, they instinctively seek guidance from others. They might approach a top performer in the company or their management team and ask for advice on what to say. Without the need to second-guess their superiors, they follow the script exactly. Though most prospects will say no, every "yes" they receive builds their confidence, reinforcing a simple formula: keep doing what works. The more success they achieve, the more they are encouraged to continue, driving their momentum forward.

The Ultimate Barrier To Top-Level Success

So, where do most of these smart people end up? Often, they find themselves pursuing respectable positions that please their parents and bolster their egos, but ultimately, they become just cogs in a machine, following orders—much like they did in school. Fields like finance or consulting are common paths. Yes, they may work long hours—10 or more a day—and spend decades climbing the corporate ladder to earn a six-figure salary. But many take pride in titles like "consultant at McKinsey" or "analyst at Goldman Sachs." They’re content to run on the treadmill, hoping for the modest reward that comes with it.

This mindset is shaped by societal expectations and the narratives pushed by others. Many smart individuals are led to believe that their lack of progress is due to a deficiency in hard work or intelligence. They might justify their situation by thinking, “I just don’t have the innate talent that those geniuses possess,” or “I’m already working hard and dealing with so much.”

This is exactly why ego, ironically, is the ultimate barrier to success. The “too smart for this” mentality is the undoing of many. If they could set aside the need to overthink and embrace a simpler, less “dignified” approach to success, the possibilities open up. That’s what sets top earners apart: they’re willing to take steps that most of us deem beneath us.

Now look, of course, there are certain factors that can propel less intelligent individuals into the top 1% that are beyond their control. Luck can play a role, as does background. A wealthy family, a few key connections, or a lucky break in business can propel anyone upward. Intelligence matters too, but not as much as resilience and realism. High-risk, high-reward industries like medicine and law favor geniuses and weed out underperformers mercilessly. You won’t find a “C” student as a neurosurgeon, but you’ll find them starting million-dollar companies. On the other hand, an electrician who excels and builds a solid reputation will likely earn more than an average or below-average lawyer. This isn’t an argument against college—it’s a call to get real about where you thrive best.

The Ultimate Determining Factor In Your Income Potential

The key thing I want you to take away from this is that if you’re serious about breaking free from the cycle, you need to let go of the idea that intelligence is everything. Success doesn’t care about IQ. It cares about grit, humility, and the courage to look a little foolish on the way up. Real wealth begins when you’re willing to get that first "no"—and keep pushing forward.

Lastly, don’t shy away from opportunities that may push you out of your comfort zone. Whether it’s starting a side hustle or exploring a new career path, taking calculated risks can lead to unexpected rewards. Remember, the path to success is not reserved for the smartest or most privileged. It’s often those who are willing to step back, check their ego, and engage in the hard work of self-discovery and growth that ultimately find their way into the upper echelons of society. Your willingness to learn from setbacks and ask for help-especially from those in your field who are superior to you will differentiate you from others. Embrace this journey as a continuous process, and you might just find yourself achieving far more than you ever imagined.

As always, thanks for reading.

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