The Success Formula: Does it actually exist or is it just "Survivor Bias"?
We are all looking for it. That secret button, the magic pill, or the mystical formula that transforms us from an "average bystander" into a Forbes cover hero. But does this formula exist? Or is it just a set of coincidences multiplied by luck?
Back in the day, the Gallup Institute (serious folks, no joking around) decided not to read tea leaves but to "dissect" 1,500 successful people from the "Who's Who" directory. And guess what? They didn't find a "success gene." But they found something more interesting—5 ingredients that appeared suspiciously often.
Let’s break them down, add a bit of skepticism, a pinch of humor, and see how this works in reality (and in MriyaRun).
Ingredient #1: Common Sense (or "Don't put your fingers in the socket")
What the stats say: 61% of successful people consider this the main factor.
Real life: This is the ability to cut through the noise and see the root of the problem. It’s not about having an IQ of 200. It’s about not buying Bitcoin just because your grandmother started talking about it.
Real-life case: One respondent said common sense can be "trained" by learning from mistakes. Preferably from other people's mistakes. Because your own are too expensive (both emotionally and financially).
Ingredient #2: Knowing Your Stuff (or "Begone, Imposter Syndrome!")
What the stats say: This is the "insurance policy" for your abilities.
Real life: A company VP admitted: "To stay on top, you have to keep learning constantly."
MriyaRun Case: Imagine you want to create the perfect planner. You could just draw lines in a notebook. Or, like us at MriyaRun, you can study the psychology of planning, understand how dopamine works when tasks are completed, and create a tool that actually helps instead of just sitting on your desk as a pretty paperweight. Knowing the mechanics matters!
Ingredient #3: Self-Confidence (Not to be confused with Narcissism)
What the stats say: It's not about admiring yourself in the mirror. It's about the courage to act.
Real life: Willpower + clear goals.
Case "The Accountant with Steel Nerves": One certified accountant (sounds boring, but hold on) built an empire not because he loved numbers, but because he had the "courage to sit through all the necessary hours." Sounds like a sentence, but it's actually about discipline. Confidence is knowing you can withstand the marathon.
Ingredient #4: General Development (Read, ladies and gentlemen, read!)
What the stats say: A rich vocabulary and reading habits. Successful people in the sample read an average of 19 books a year.
Real life: And no, 19 books doesn't mean Instagram posts or the ingredients on an air freshener label. That's 10 non-fiction and some fiction books.
Irony: We often say "I don't have time to read" while scrolling through news feeds for 3 hours a day. Success loves those who can quickly analyze complex concepts. Reading is the gym for your brain.
Ingredient #5: Ability to Get Things Done (The painful part)
What the stats say: 3/4 of successful people are "very active." Organization + diligence.
Real life:
Case "The Mad Professor": A physics professor derived his formula: "Hard work + personal rhythm." He works 100 hours a week.
Note: At MriyaRun, we advocate for work-life balance, because if you work 100 hours a week, success might arrive just when you need a good sanatorium. But the point stands: ideas are worthless without execution.
So, is there a formula?
Yes, and it's not that secret. It looks something like this:
$$Success = (Common\_Sense \times Knowledge) + (Confidence \times Action) + \text{A bit of luck}$$
Where does MriyaRun fit in?
Have you noticed that almost all points (especially #3 and #5) come down to self-organization and self-understanding?
At MriyaRun, we don't sell canned success. But we create tools for this "formula":
- MriyaRun Diaries and Planners: This is your weapon for point #5 ("Getting things done"). They help structure the chaos so you don't get lost in those "100 hours of work."
- Psychological Tools and Self-Development: This is training for points #1 and #3. Understanding your strengths, getting rid of fears, and finding that "common sense" within yourself.
Conclusion:
You are not a dollar bill to be liked by everyone, and not a robot to never make mistakes. But if you develop these 5 qualities, one day someone will open a "Who's Who" directory (or Forbes, or just visit your social media page) and think: "Damn, how did he/she do it? They must know a secret!"
And the secret is simple: Dream. Plan. Act. (Preferably with MriyaRun ?).
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