Absolute success is the kind of success that sets people apart on a global or universal scale. It’s the top 1%, the absolute best in their field, the names that make headlines and history books. Think of Serena Williams, the tennis legend with 23 Grand Slam titles
We can’t choose where or to whom we’re born. Some are lucky to have access to quality education, healthcare, supportive families, and social networks. Others face obstacles like poverty, discrimination, or political instability from birth
When we see someone hit the jackpot, whether it’s a tech billionaire, an Olympic champion, or a bestselling author, we tend to marvel at their success. We call it “talent,” “grit,” or “brilliance.” Sometimes, we even say they were “born for it.” But beneath the surface lies a more complex truth: absolute success is largely a product of luck, while relative success is the result of hard work. This distinction is crucial. It helps us understand why some people start miles ahead and why others, despite working hard, may never reach the same heights. It also helps us avoid the dangerous myth that success is entirely within our control, which can lead to frustration and self-blame.
What is Absolute Success?
Absolute success is the kind of success that sets people apart on a global or universal scale. It’s the top 1%, the absolute best in their field, the names that make headlines and history books. Think of Serena Williams, the tennis legend with 23 Grand Slam titles. Or Elon Musk, the entrepreneur behind Tesla and SpaceX. Or Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Peace Prize winner who started her activism as a teenager. Their success feels extraordinary, almost mythical. But how much of it is really about their innate ability or determination? Consider this: Serena Williams was born with exceptional physical attributes, speed, power, coordination, that gave her a natural edge. Elon Musk’s upbringing in South Africa gave him access to early computer technology, and later, he moved to places brimming with opportunity like Silicon Valley. Malala’s story involves surviving a violent attempt on her life but also benefiting from international platforms and support few receive. In each case, luck played a significant role: the luck of genetics, geography, timing, and sometimes sheer chance.
The Lottery of Life
We can’t choose where or to whom we’re born. Some are lucky to have access to quality education, healthcare, supportive families, and social networks. Others face obstacles like poverty, discrimination, or political instability from birth. A child born in a wealthy; stable country has a fundamentally different starting line than a child born in war-torn regions. The former has access to opportunities many never see. If absolute success is a lottery, luck is the ticket you need just to enter the game. For example, imagine two children with equal intelligence and drive. One grows up in a city with well-funded schools and mentors; the other in a place where education is a luxury. The former is far likelier to become a successful scientist or entrepreneur. This is why absolute success is so often tied to privilege and luck.
Relative Success: The Game After Luck
But once you’re in the game, the rules change. After luck gets you a foot in the door, whether that’s a college acceptance, a first job, or a chance to start a business, hard work becomes the deciding factor. Take two college graduates who land jobs at the same company. One puts in consistent effort, learns from failures, seeks feedback, and improves daily. The other is complacent, relying on initial luck or connections. Over time, the hard worker will rise in rank, gain promotions, and be remembered. The complacent one will likely plateau or fall behind. This is relative success, success relative to those with the same starting opportunities.
Hard Work is a Multiplier, Not a Magic Wand
It’s important to recognize that hard work doesn’t guarantee absolute success. Many people work tirelessly without becoming billionaires or world champions. But hard work maximizes the use of opportunity and increases the chances of standing out among peers. Hard work is like fuel in a car. You need a working engine (luck), but fuel makes you go farther. Consider athletes who make it to the Olympics. All have a baseline of physical talent and luck, good health, supportive coaches, and access to facilities. But what separates gold medalists from others is years of grueling practice, mental toughness, and discipline. Similarly, many entrepreneurs with good ideas don’t succeed because they lack perseverance, adaptability, or business skills.
The Trap of Comparing Absolute Success
Social media and the internet make it easier than ever to see the “absolute success” of others. We scroll through billionaire Instagram feeds, viral TikTok stars, or bestselling authors’ interviews and ask, “Why not me?” This comparison is a trap. It often ignores the vast invisible factors, luck, timing, and privilege, that played a role. It’s like comparing your behind-the-scenes with someone else’s highlight reel. Instead, the only fair comparison is between who you were yesterday and who you are today. Are you learning? Improving? Putting in consistent effort? That’s where relative success lies.
You can’t control your luck, but you can control your effort and mindset.
Work consistently: Small improvements compound.
Seek learning: Always be curious and adaptable.
Build relationships: Luck often comes from who you know, so cultivate genuine connections.
Be resilient: Failure is inevitable; how you respond matters most.
Success isn’t an all-or-nothing prize. It’s a journey shaped by both luck and work. Absolute success is often a product of luck, the cards you were dealt at birth and in life. But relative success, the success you earn among those with similar opportunities, is created by hard work. So, celebrate the lucky breaks. But don’t forget: your effort is the engine that drives you forward. In the end, it’s not just about being lucky. It’s about being the person who keeps showing up, learning, and working, even when luck isn’t on your side.
