Anybody can be successful. But most people will never be successful.

There’s tons of advice out there on how to become successful, but some of this advice may actually hold you back from accomplishing great things. There are myths surrounding success. It’s hard to be successful until some of these myths are debunked.

There are many misconceptions people have about success. These ways of thinking are holding you back from doing what’s necessary to do something that matters.

Here are five myths that are holding you back:

1. Talent doesn’t matter

Of course it does. We’ve all heard sayings like, “hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” That’s not always the case. If you’re five foot three it doesn’t matter how hard you work, you’re probably not going to play in the NBA.

It’s important to discover your strengths. Focus on what you’re good at. Hard work will push you past people who don’t work as hard as you do, but only if it’s in an area you’re suited for.

2. You have to be humble

You’re told to be humble and modest. You’re told not to draw attention to yourself because it makes you look arrogant. This form of humility is called outward humility.

Most people are humble on the outside but selfish on the inside. On the outside they appear modest but on the inside they are selfish because they think they deserve more than what they have but they aren’t willing to work for it. They will complain and wish their circumstances will change but they aren’t willing to change themselves.

Real humility comes from within. Inner humility comes from doing work. It comes from taking the time to learn and develop yourself. It comes from putting in the necessary hours and paying the price. If you’ve taken the time to improve yourself then you should be confident in your abilities.

“Success comes to those who dedicate everything to their passion in life. To be successful, it is also very important to be humble and never let fame or money travel to your head.” – A. R. Rahman

3. Positive thinking = success

There’s a documentary called “The Secret,” and the premise of it is that all you have to do is visualize the things you want and the universe will find a way to deliver them to you. Want a new car? Place a picture of that car on your wall and visualize having it and then BOOM, you’ll have a new car.

Positive thinking is necessary, but it’s only powerful when combined with actual effort. Don’t be fooled into thinking that simply wanting success will make it a reality. Everybody wants success, but few people are willing to do the work it takes to be successful.

4. Knowledge is power

Learning opens new doors for you. The statement “knowledge is power,” is almost correct. The application of knowledge is power. It’s great to read dozens of business books, but they can’t substitute for building a business in real life. If you want to be successful, take the knowledge you’ve gained and put it to practice.

5. Fear can be conquered

You’ve been told that you have nothing to fear but fear itself. You’ve been told that you can will your way into feeling no fear. Fear never goes away, but you can learn to take action in the face of fear. You don’t necessarily defeat fear, but you work alongside it, letting it push you and keep you on your toes. 

“I’m not saying that everyone should swim with sharks, but sometimes you have to jump over your own shadow in order to learn something that you will never forget for the rest of your life. Then you know you can conquer your fears.” – Heidi Klum

What are you going to do today to inch your way closer to successes?  Don’t let the myths surrounding success hold you back from living the life of your dreams. Feel the fear and take action.

Use your knowledge to start taking the necessary steps to reach your goals. Build a life around your talents and strengths and have the confidence to shine brightly because you know who you are, what you want, and where you’re going.

Which myth is holding you back? Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below!