There’s a lot of talk about what it takes to be successful. But let’s be real – not everything we hear is actually true.

Success, much like beauty, is often in the eye of the beholder. What works for one person may not work for another.

We’re often fed a lot of myths about how to achieve success. Some of these are so ingrained that we don’t even question them. But it’s high time we did.

Join me as we bust open 9 common myths about success. Let’s challenge what we’ve always believed and uncover the real path to achievement.

1) Success equals wealth

Let’s kick things off with a big one. It’s a common belief that success is all about monetary wealth. You’ve made it if you have a mansion, a luxury car, or a fat bank account, right?

Actually, that’s not the whole picture.

Success is subjective and can look dramatically different from one person to the next. For some, success might mean having a loving family or making a difference in their community.

Sure, money can be a measure of success, but it’s not the only one. And it’s certainly not the most important.

The dangerous myth that success equals wealth can lead us to prioritize material gain over personal fulfillment and happiness. So let’s debunk this myth and redefine success on our own terms.

2) You need to work 24/7 to be successful

Here’s another myth that needs debunking. The idea that you need to be working around the clock to achieve success. I’ve certainly fallen into this trap myself.

A few years back, I was juggling a demanding corporate job, side projects and trying to have some semblance of a social life. It was exhausting. I thought that if I wasn’t constantly working, I wasn’t on the path to success.

But this couldn’t be further from the truth.

What I learned the hard way is that burnout is real. And it doesn’t lead to success. It leads to physical and mental health problems, a lack of creativity, and ultimately a decrease in productivity.

Success isn’t about working non-stop. It’s about working smart, taking care of yourself, and finding balance in your life.

3) Failure is the opposite of success

We often view failure as the antithesis of success. We’re taught to avoid it at all costs, to dread it, to see it as a sign that we’re off track.

But did you know that Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb, failed 10,000 times before he finally succeeded?

Failure isn’t the enemy of success. It’s a stepping stone. It’s an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve. It’s through our failures that we gain the experience and wisdom necessary to ultimately succeed.

So, let’s debunk this myth and start viewing failure as an integral part of our journey towards success.

4) Success happens overnight

We’ve all heard those stories of people who seemingly became successful overnight. But the truth is, these stories are the exception, not the rule.

Success usually comes as the result of years of hard work, persistence, and resilience. It’s about learning from our mistakes and failures, and continuously striving to improve ourselves.

The belief in overnight success can be harmful because it sets unrealistic expectations. It can lead to disappointment and disillusionment when success doesn’t come as quickly as we’d like.

Let’s debunk this myth and remember that real success is a marathon, not a sprint.

5) You have to be a certain age to be successful

Age is just a number, right? But somehow, many of us have fallen into the trap of believing that success is reserved for the young or that it’s too late to achieve our dreams once we’ve reached a certain age.

This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Success is not confined to any age group.

Take Vera Wang for instance. She didn’t start her iconic bridal wear business until she was 40. Or how about Colonel Sanders? He was 62 when he franchised Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Success can come at any age. So let’s debunk this myth and remember that it’s never too late (or too early) to pursue our dreams and achieve success.

6) You must achieve success alone

We often see success as a solitary journey, thinking that we must “go it alone” or “pull ourselves up by our bootstraps.” But this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Success is rarely achieved in isolation. It’s often the result of collaboration, mentorship, and support from those around us.

Think about it. Behind every successful person, there’s a team, a family, a network of supporters cheering them on and helping them overcome obstacles.

So let’s debunk this myth. It’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to lean on others. In fact, it’s essential. Success is a collective journey, not a solitary one.

7) You must please everyone to be successful

There was a time when I tried to keep everyone around me happy. I thought that if everyone approved of what I was doing, then I was on the right path to success.

But I quickly realized that trying to please everyone was like trying to catch the wind. It was impossible and left me feeling drained and unsatisfied.

Being successful doesn’t mean you have to make everyone happy. It’s about staying true to yourself, making the decisions that align with your values, and accepting that not everyone will agree or be pleased.

And that’s okay. Success is a personal journey, not a popularity contest.

8) Success is a destination

Many of us view success as a final destination that we’re striving to reach. We think that once we get that promotion, buy that house, or reach that milestone, we’ll be successful.

But the truth is, success is not a destination; it’s a journey. It’s about the process, the learning experiences, and the growth that comes with striving for our goals.

This myth can lead us to overlook the small victories and progress we make along the way. So let’s debunk this myth and remember to celebrate our journey towards success, not just the end goal.

9) Success is the key to happiness

This might be the most damaging myth of all. We’re often led to believe that once we’re successful, we’ll finally be happy. However, success doesn’t guarantee happiness.

Happiness comes from within. It’s about finding contentment in who we are, what we do, and how we impact others, regardless of our level of “success”.

If we tie our happiness to success, we’re setting ourselves up for disappointment. So let’s debunk this final myth and remember that success is a part of life, not the sole determinant of our happiness.

Final thoughts: Redefining success

Our perspectives on success are often shaped by societal norms, cultural values, and personal experiences. But as we’ve explored, many of these beliefs are steeped in myths that can limit our potential and skew our understanding of what success truly means.

Albert Einstein once said, “Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” This quote beautifully captures the essence of redefining success on our own terms.

Success isn’t about wealth, working non-stop, or avoiding failure. It’s not confined to a certain age or achieved alone. It’s not a destination or the key to happiness.

There’s no one-size-fits-all definition of success. It’s a personal journey, unique to each one of us. So let’s debunk these myths and embrace a more holistic, authentic understanding of success—one that aligns with our values, passions, and sense of purpose.

After all, true success is living a life that brings us fulfillment, joy, and a deep sense of contentment. And that’s worth striving for.