Final answer:
Income typically correlates with the value you provide, which often depends on your skills, education, and the demands of the market. High income is not solely based on hard work or luck but is largely determined by market demand for your labor.
Step-by-step explanation:
To earn a high income, it's essential to understand how incomes are determined in a market economy like that of the United States. Here, income stems from ownership of means of production and the value society places on them. For most, their labor is the most crucial resource, with income from wages and salaries tied to the value their talents, skills, education, or training hold in the marketplace. Employers seek skills that are in short supply and have high demand, acknowledging those with additional education or specialized training typically earn more.
Thus, when assessing what others value and understanding market demand, you're better positioned to increase your value to potential employers or clients. This is especially relevant since a high income is not guaranteed by hard work alone nor is it primarily based on luck; it's largely contingent upon providing value that is in demand, which is often reflected in one's education, skills, and abilities.