I have known people who have worked extremely hard and are successful.

I have known people lazier than a Vice post and they are successful.

I have known people who have worked every day of their lives and live dull, uninteresting lives.

And I have known people who have never worked and remain as unsuccessful as a cotton candy pizza.

The fact of the matter is that nothing really guarantees the fact that you will escape the rat race. It's a matter of luck more than anything. But as they say, bad luck usually comes hand in hand with the dumbass. Much better to work and attempt to do something and get lucky with it rather than waiting for a miracle.