# The Formula The Universal Laws of Success - Albert-László Barabási Created: 2023_03_29 13:48 Tags: [[Business]] [[Sociology]] [[Book]] "The Formula: The Universal Laws of Success" is a book written by physicist and mathematician Albert-László Barabási that explores the science of success and the factors that contribute to it. The author argues that success follows a "universal formula" based on three principles: _performance_, _visibility_, and _connections_. - __Performance__ refers to the quality of one's work or product - __Visibility__ refers to the degree to which one's work is recognized and appreciated by others. - __Connections__ refer to the people and networks that one is connected to, and the opportunities that they can provide. ### Law of Performance The distinction between performance and success is crucial in understanding the factors that contribute to success. While high performance is necessary for achieving success, it is not the sole determining factor. This means that an individual can be highly skilled or exceptionally talented, but this does not guarantee that they will be successful. Other factors, such as timing, network effects, and even luck, can play a significant role in determining one's success. Therefore, it is essential to recognize that exceptional performance must be coupled with other elements to translate into success. _Performance drives success, but when performance can’t be measured, networks drive success._ #### Performance is bounded, success is unbounded Performance follows a normal distribution. While success follows a power law distribution. [[80 - 20 Rule]] ### Law of Persistence The role of persistence in achieving success cannot be underestimated. In many cases, individuals who have achieved high levels of success did not do so overnight. Instead, they consistently put in effort over time, learning from failures and gradually making progress. This law highlights the importance of resilience and determination in pursuing one's goals. It suggests that success is not just a product of talent or skill but also requires the ability to persevere and maintain motivation in the face of setbacks and challenges. **With persistence, success can come at any time.** Age is irrelevant to success, productivity matters. ### Law of Fitness In any competitive field, the concept of fitness is crucial to understanding the likelihood of success. Fitness, as defined by Barabási, is the ability to effectively connect with and influence others within a given context or field. This can include aspects such as charisma, communication skills, or adaptability. An individual with high fitness is more likely to form valuable connections and generate opportunities for success. This law emphasizes that one's ability to navigate social and professional networks can significantly impact their overall success. **Previous success × fitness = future success.** ## References - [[80 - 20 Rule]] -