Success is often treated as a mystical formula—something hidden, coded, or locked away for the chosen few. But historically, scientifically, and psychologically, the evidence points toward a different reality: the “secret” of success is not a secret at all. It is the result of visible, observable, repeatable patterns that shape how individuals evolve, grow, and progress. In this sense, success behaves like a form of personal succession—a gradual layering of effort, habits, and learning that accumulates over time.
This article explores that truth through documented research, historical developments, and psychological studies, supported by verifiable sources.
Success Is the Uncommon Application of Common Knowledge-Secret of success
One widely cited insight summarises the entire philosophy of success in a single sentence:
“Success is simply the uncommon application of common knowledge.”(Dr lwan Minser)
The powerful implication behind this line is that the foundation of becoming successful is not rarity of information but rarity of execution. Many people know what to do, but only a few actually follow through with consistent action. This gap between knowing and doing is where personal success either flourishes or collapses.
Success as Behavioural Succession-Success secret
In ecology, primary succession refers to the step-by-step development of life in a barren environment. Similarly, success in human behaviour is built through a succession of micro-actions: small habits accumulating toward substantial outcomes. This is why many researchers argue that success synonyms—words like achievement, mastery, excellence, peak performance—are never instant states but constructed states.
A succinct description of this idea appears in performance psychology:
“Every success story is the result of a succession of small wins, consistently repeated.” (Vitalongia)
Like natural succession, personal progression grows in layers. You don’t jump from nothing to being successful; you develop patterns, systems, and mindsets that mature over time.
Top Success Is Built Through Habits, Not Heroics
One of the strongest research-supported claims about success is that it depends more on consistent habits than dramatic efforts. Earl Nightingale’s famous interpretation of successful behaviour explains:
“The secret lies in the fact that he or she formed the habit of doing things that failures don’t like to do.”(Advisorpedia)
This highlights the behavioural truth:
- success = habits,
- habits = repetition,
- repetition = behaviour patterns.
Successful individuals do not rely on motivation alone; they rely on the disciplined succession of small actions that compound into large results.
Goal Setting as the Engine of Sustainable Success
Psychologist Daniel Coyle, summarising decades of skill-acquisition research, wrote:
“…the key is to choose a goal just beyond your present abilities; [and] to target the struggle.”(Daniel Coyle)
This line offers one of the most scientifically grounded models of how successful individuals grow:
- Choose a goal that stretches you slightly
- Confront the challenge instead of avoiding it
- Repeat the process in a succession of cycles
This philosophy mirrors Carol Dweck’s theory of the growth mindset, where individuals become successful not through inherent talent, but through willingness to struggle, adapt, and persevere.
The Role of Persistence and Grit in Becoming Successful
Angela Duckworth’s research on grit demonstrates that perseverance, not talent, is the strongest predictor of long-term achievement. One of her most cited findings explains:
“Grit is passion and perseverance for long-term goals.”(Angela Duckworth’s)
This reinforces that success is a long-term behavioural succession, not a one-time event. People who succeed do not simply perform occasionally; they endure repeatedly. They show resilience, determination, and a sustained commitment to their objectives.
The Influence of Systems: Why Success Is Not About Willpower Alone
Another verified insight from behavioural science is that systems, not raw willpower, lead to successful outcomes. James Clear’s work popularised this theme, but long before him, research on goal-directed behaviour showed that:
“We don’t rise to the level of our goals; we fall to the level of our systems.”(James Clear’s)
This means even the best intentions will fail without structure. Systems create predictability. Predictability creates sustainability. And sustainability leads to becoming successful.
Skill Growth Follows a Predictable Pattern: Deliberate Practice
A major breakthrough in understanding expert performance came from Ericsson’s pioneering research, which concluded:
“The role of deliberate practice in the acquisition of expert performance is crucial.”(Ericsson’s pioneering Research)
Deliberate practice involves:
- clear objectives
- immediate feedback
- repeated refinement
- disciplined focus
This model also reflects a succession-oriented pattern: skill builds layer upon layer, session upon session, until excellence becomes visible.
Success & Randomness: The Evidence That Hard Work Still Matters Most
Some researchers argue that randomness also contributes to success, especially in financial and career outcomes. One study states:
“The hidden ingredient is just randomness.”
But importantly, the same study emphasizes that randomness helps only those already in motion—those who have built competence, systems, and resilience. In other words, luck may amplify success, but it cannot replace the succession of disciplined action needed to reach a position where luck even matters.
Historical Proof That Success Comes From Effort
History shows that great civilizations, thinkers, and innovators always followed a pattern of disciplined succession. As a Psychology Today source explains:
“Skills and knowledge are developed through repeated practice and personal effort.”
This same succession of effort shaped:
- Greek philosophy
- Renaissance science
- Artistic mastery
- Technological innovation
Every successful era in human development reflects repetition, refinement, and resilience.
Success Synonyms and Their True Meaning
Across research literature, success synonyms—such as achievement, accomplishment, mastery, excellence—all share one conceptual foundation:
They are outcomes of accumulated, structured behaviours, not isolated triumphs.
No synonym of success refers to luck, accident, or sudden breakthroughs. Every synonym implies progression — a succession of steps.
The Secret of Success Is Actually a Decision
If there is one universal truth across all sources, it is this:
Success is not something people inherit. It is something they construct.
Or as Psychology Today summarized:
“The secret of success is not a secret.”
Success is the predictable result of:
- consistent habits
- targeted goals
- reliable systems
- persistent struggle
- deliberate practice
- adaptability
- behavioural succession
These principles are not new. They are not hidden. They are not exclusive.
But they are rare — because applying them successfully requires long-term effort, patience, and discipline.
Final Thoughts
When we understand success as a layered, sequential journey—much like the natural process of succession—we recognize that anybody can build a successful life. The question is not whether success is possible. The question is whether we are willing to engage in the continuous succession of behaviour, belief, and discipline required to achieve it.
References
Misner, I. (2021). The real secret to success isn’t really a secret.
Vitalongia. (2024). Success has a price, not a secret.
Gray, A. E. N. (2023). The real secret to success: It’s not what you think.
Purje, R. (2025). The secret of success is not a secret.
Khan, S. (2024). The secret to success is not a secret.
Ericsson, K. A., Krampe, R. T., & Tesch-Römer, C. (1993). The role of deliberate practice in the acquisition of expert performance.
Pluchino, A., Biondo, A. E., & Rapisarda, A. (2018). Talent vs. luck: The role of randomness in success and failure.