5 Popular “Success Secrets” Real-World Winners Ignore

There are countless books, seminars and programs packed with insights, ideas and “rules” about success.

But do you know which ones actually work and which ones don’t?

If you observe high performers, world-class athletes, rockstar entrepreneurs and other incredibly successful people you’ll notice something interesting…

Many of them don’t follow widely accepted success rules.

What they do instead is they experiment with different ideas and methods, discover what really works out in the real world…

And then they blaze their own trail to the top of the mountain.

Here are 5 popular success secrets real-world winners ignore. 

“Secret” #1: Ambition is Everything 

Ambition will give you the motivation and fuel you need to get what you want.

This seems like great advice but it’s not. 

Here’s why….

Ambition is rooted in desire. Desire is nothing more than wanting something.

This isn’t enough to get you to your goals. 

The difference between those who dream of success and those who actually achieve it?

Action. 

You must be committed to taking action.

Even when it’s hard. Even when you don’t feel like it.

Ambition without action is like a book without words.

It’s meaningless. 

So, keep choosing action over ambition.

Sooner or later, you’ll get what you want.

“Secret” #2: Follow Your Passion 

I’ll be straight with you…

Passion isn’t enough to get you the recognition and rewards you want.

And passion won’t pay the rent. 

You can have enough passion to fill the entire planet…

You can love something with your whole soul…

But if you don’t have mad skills to match your passion…

If you can’t turn your passion into something other people want, need and will pay good money for…

Then “follow your passion” is the worst thing you can do.

It won’t lead you to success. It will take you straight to failure.

The truth is passion often arises after you’ve achieved success. Not before.

You may be shocked at how mild interest in a new skill or project can turn into a burning passion when you start to become successful at it.

Do what real-world winners do.

Experiment with fresh ideas even if you don’t feel excited about it at the start.

You just might hit the jackpot.

“Secret” #3: Be Yourself

Success “gurus” often talk about staying true to who you are.

But “be yourself” is bad advice…

Follow it only if you want to stay exactly where you are now.

If you don’t, if you want to reach higher, you must always look at how you can change…

How you can expand and grow.

If you currently identify as a specific personality type, you need to stop.

Now.

If you don’t, success will always be out of your reach.

Successful people let go of whom they think they are and find ways to become better.

How else do you explain introverts who can speak in front of thousands or shy people who become rock stars and award-winning actors?

Never imagine that your character traits are fixed. They’re not.

When you want to achieve and sustain success, don’t just aim to be yourself…

Aim to be your best self. 

“Secret” #4: Quitting is for Losers

Wrong.

Winners quit. All the time.

They know that persistence is good but only up to a point.

Learn to recognize when you’re on a sinking ship. Then make sure you jump before it hits the bottom of the ocean.

Discard projects that aren’t working.

Walk away from relationships that aren’t making you happy. 

Persistence is not the answer to everything. 

Sticking to something does not guarantee success.

Instead, let it go and focus on your time and energy on the things that lead to real success and happiness.

“Secret” #5: Work Hard. Work Very Hard

This is one of the oldest principles of success…

But that doesn’t make it true.

If all you do is work, work, work; all you’ll achieve is burnout and frustration.

Successful people understand they need to work hard but only in the areas that will bring the most benefits.

Working hard for the sake of working hard is a massive mistake.

Your attention, energy, money and time are limited…

So, use them deliberately and consciously on needle movers that take you to your goals. 

For instance…

If you’re looking to lose weight, don’t just work out for 3 hours, 7 days a week…

Find specific exercises and activities that will burn the most calories.

If you’re looking at building a successful business, don’t just sit at your desk for 12 hours a day…

Find the tasks and activities that only you can do and then look at how you can have others help you with everything else.

Working with focus and direction will create emotional balance, protect your health…

And save your sanity.

If you want to achieve your goals and dreams don’t just read books or attend success seminars…

The best thing to do is watch real-world winners – those who have achieved what you want – and model your actions and behaviors based your observations.

This way you’ll know you’re on the right track because you’re following a proven path that leads to success. 

I originally published this article on my Linkedin profile, and don’t forget to follow the Evercoach by Mindvalley group for more high-value content on everything you need to become an extraordinary coach, teacher, entrepreneur and change-maker.