Few in our society would dispute the fact that one's goals and plans, and one's confidence or lack of confidence about what one can accomplish, play a significant role in determining what one exposes oneself to, seeks to learn and perfect, and is willing to take risks or delay gratification in order to achieve. Equally obvious is the impact of other people's plans for us and expectations about what we can accomplish, both on what opportunities we are given and how we take advantage or fail to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves