This is exactly what I am going through now.

Emily, you are sooooo right. It is sometimes scary to succeed. Going through the process of getting there can be downright frightening! However, once you've accomplished what you've set out to do, you feel so damn good about yourself. :)

I read one time where people decide to go in buisness for themselves and they will write down all the pitfalls where they can fail.
Then there are those not afraid of failure who succed at what they want to do.
The owner of the dollar general I understand only went to the 8th grade. So an education level is not a drawback.

I agree that many people can succeed without a formal education. However, I don't agree that not having it doesn't have an effect on most people. Sure, Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard I believe (not 100% sure) and lots of famous scientists didn't even finish high school. However, education always opens doors that otherwise would be slammed in your face, so if I had children I would always encourage them to get a good education since those rags to richs stories aren't very common. I think motivation, drive and self-esteem = success. Lots of people with advanced degrees don't make much money. That said, maybe money isn't important to them.

ROFLMAO. I don't know if anyone noticed, but I wrote "I don't agree that not having it doesn't"
Oy! Doesn't look as if I had much education.   Once I laughed because a man sent me an email saying "I am very cleaver."   So now it's coming back to haunt me. God is sending me a message.