Why Are Smart People Not Always Successful?
Lately, I’ve been seeing this question pop up quite frequently. Most recently, I stumbled upon it again online forums, and out of curiosity, I decided to check out what people were saying. It was nothing short of a comedy.
Some claim that all successful people are intelligent, while others rationalize their lack of success by attributing it to intelligence. As usual, the crowd is split 50/50.
After thinking about it for a while, I asked myself this question first:
What is success?
According to the Cambridge Dictionary defines it as achieving a positive result in something desired and worked on. Duden describes it as a positive outcome following effort. The Real Academia Española defines it as a result that brings happiness. While there are slight variations, the definitions are broadly similar: when we strive for something and achieve our desired outcome, we call it success.
That means our daily lives are actually full of successes. Surviving is a huge success in itself. Building a family, finishing school, getting a job, quitting one, switching careers, learning something new, achieving a desired physical appearance, reaching a certain level in a game — all of these are forms of success.
So what makes us believe that we are failing?
- Social norms and media
- Comparison
Add to that the dominance of consumer culture and the increasing pressure we put on ourselves due to the rise in consumer goods, and things start to spiral. We consume more and feel less fulfilled. The advertisements we watch, the movies and series we follow, the magazines we read, and even our work environments — everything constantly tells us “more, more, more.” The content we consume creates a singular image of success.
For example, on television, you almost never see main characters with acne or skin issues. It’s rare to see main characters who are overweight, aging, or balding due to natural reasons. If someone is aging, they’re usually cast in a particular type of role. You also don’t see successful, introverted profiles — a quiet, rational politician doesn’t get much traction. They’re perceived as weak. A politician is expected to shout, command attention, and dominate the room.
Successful female professional characters have only recently started appearing in mainstream narratives. In the past, women were limited to specific roles. Even now, there are people who find these shifts abnormal. Over time, these media patterns and societal expectations start to feel like what’s “normal” — even if they’re not.
Then comes the comparison. We compare ourselves with people whose backgrounds, struggles, and journeys we know nothing about, and we start to feel like failures. Eventually, we try to become like them rather than focusing on being ourselves. This only increases our stress and unhappiness — and it can be dangerous. Among teenagers, for instance, this can lead to depression or even suicide. Some may lose all self-confidence and turn misery into a part of their identity.
We’re constantly taught to be the best — the best in exams, in choices, in everything. But can someone truly be the best in music, art, science, communication, and sports — all at once? No. But somehow, our mindset evolves to believe it’s possible.
Can everyone be the best? No. Only one person can be at the very top.
Why? Because success depends on so many factors: luck, effort, genetics, socio-cultural background, economic status, time, personality, and opportunity inequality — just to name a few.
Do we have to be the best?
Here’s how I approach this:
Am I doing something for myself or because I’m influenced by others?
If it’s for myself, am I satisfied with the result?
If yes — there’s no need to overthink it.
If not — then I need to work harder on that thing.
But if I’m doing it because of external pressure, then I’m on the wrong path altogether.
There’s Also a Political Angle
When we think of success, we often picture politicians and CEOs (after athletes, models, and celebrities). This isn’t a coincidence — like it or not, politicians are always in our lives. They affect how we live.
But when you look at politicians or corporate leaders one by one, you’ll find that most of them aren’t the best in their fields or the most educated in their roles. Perhaps, due to how we’ve been educated, we immediately perceive those in power as successful — but clearly, being “good” or “successful” isn’t what made them leaders. This perception is closely tied to our cultural perspective and what we’ve been taught.
So Why Aren’t Smart People Always Successful?
If we define success in the most mainstream sense, then the reasons are quite clear:
- Intelligent people might be content with their personal achievements.
- They don’t define success the way society does.
- They don’t do what they do to be seen or admired.
And when such people do gain some visibility, they often don’t turn it into a performance — so we overlook them.
For example, you can’t really know a successful scientist unless you’re in their field. You can’t call someone unsuccessful if they’re nominated for a Nobel Prize or working alongside someone who is. And I’m sure many of these people don’t even label themselves as successful — because they don’t need to.
In Short
Success is more of a personal concept.
The real competition is mostly with ourselves.
bahadirhancicek 
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