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Their Success Was About More Than Intelligence
It’s easy to assume that highly successful people achieve more because they possess talents or abilities that the rest of us simply don’t have.
When we look at figures such as Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, Charles Darwin, Benjamin Franklin and Isaac Newton, their achievements can feel almost impossible to relate to. Their discoveries transformed our understanding of the world and continue to influence us centuries later.
Yet one of the most interesting things about studying these individuals is that many of the habits and routines that supported their achievements were surprisingly ordinary.
While most of us will never rewrite the laws of physics, paint a masterpiece or develop a theory that changes the world, there is a great deal we can learn from the way some of history’s greatest minds approached their work.
What Made These Individuals Different?
One of the reasons people continue to study highly successful individuals is that success often leaves clues.
Although these thinkers came from different backgrounds, worked in different disciplines and lived in different centuries, there are striking similarities in the way they approached their work.
Many displayed remarkable discipline and persistence. They were prepared to dedicate years, and in some cases decades, to developing ideas and solving problems. They remained committed to learning throughout their lives and were often willing to challenge accepted thinking rather than simply following conventional wisdom.
This suggests that success is rarely the result of talent alone. Natural ability may create opportunities, but it is usually the habits and behaviours developed over time that determine how those opportunities are used.
Interestingly, modern research supports many of these observations. Psychologist Angela Duckworth’s work on “grit” suggests that perseverance and commitment to long-term goals are often stronger predictors of success than natural talent alone. Similarly, Carol Dweck’s research into growth mindset highlights the importance of believing that abilities can be developed through effort, learning and experience rather than being fixed from birth.
Research has also shown that curiosity plays an important role in innovation and problem-solving. Individuals who remain open to new ideas and actively seek to learn are often better equipped to adapt, identify opportunities and navigate change.
The Habits Behind Extraordinary Achievement
One of the most fascinating discoveries when studying highly successful people is how much importance they placed on seemingly ordinary habits.
Charles Darwin followed a highly structured daily routine and took regular walks along what became known as his “thinking path”. The walk was not simply exercise. It formed part of his thinking process and provided an opportunity to work through ideas away from his desk. Many of the observations that contributed to his theory of evolution were developed over years of patient analysis rather than moments of sudden inspiration.
Albert Einstein approached problems very differently. He relied heavily on thought experiments and visualisation, often imagining scenarios before attempting to prove them mathematically. One of his most famous mental exercises involved imagining what it would be like to ride alongside a beam of light. Ideas such as these eventually contributed to some of the most important scientific breakthroughs of the twentieth century.
Benjamin Franklin believed strongly in self-improvement. He followed a disciplined daily routine and regularly asked himself questions about how he intended to spend his day and what he had achieved. He viewed personal development as something that required conscious effort and regular reflection.
Leonardo da Vinci carried notebooks wherever he went and filled them with observations, sketches and questions. His interests extended far beyond art and included anatomy, engineering, mathematics and nature. His willingness to explore different subjects allowed him to make connections that others often missed.
Isaac Newton became known for his ability to focus intensely on a single problem for long periods. While few people would choose to work in quite the same way today, his achievements demonstrate the value of concentration and persistence when tackling complex challenges.
Although their routines were very different, they all understood something important. Exceptional results rarely happen by accident. Success is often supported by habits that encourage learning, focus and continual improvement.
What Business Owners Can Learn from Them
Modern business may look very different from the world inhabited by these thinkers, but many of the underlying principles remain surprisingly relevant.
Successful businesses are rarely built on technical expertise alone. They are often led by people who adapt, develop effective habits and maintain the discipline required to pursue long-term goals.
The lessons that emerge from studying history’s greatest geniuses include:
- remaining curious and open to new ideas
- committing to continuous learning and development
- developing habits that support consistency and discipline
- maintaining focus on long-term objectives
- recognising that meaningful results often take time
These qualities may not always produce immediate rewards, but they frequently contribute to better decisions, stronger leadership and more sustainable success.
How We Can Help
At James Todd & Co, our role goes beyond the numbers. We help business owners create the time and headspace needed to step back and think more clearly about their business.
Too often, owners are caught up in the day-to-day, reacting, firefighting and making decisions under pressure. That makes it difficult to build the habits, routines and discipline that really drive long-term success.
By taking ownership of the financial detail and bringing clarity to performance, we free up your time to focus on how you’re spending your energy, where the opportunities really are, and what you want the business to look like in the future.
Through our advisory work, we also help you step back and review how your time is being used and whether your team structure is truly supporting the business as it grows. Often small changes in responsibilities, roles or capacity can make a significant difference to both performance and personal workload.
It’s not just about better information, it’s about creating the space to use it well. To think more strategically, make more deliberate decisions and build the kind of consistent habits that underpin sustainable growth.
If that’s something you’d value, we’d love to have a conversation.