Success isn't as easy as it seems, according to American aphorist and psychoanalyst Mason Cooley, who is renowned for his witty wit and perceptive observations about life. According to Cooley, although many people see success as a goal to be attained, in practice it is more like forming a habit—something that takes time and constant effort to achieve.

Think of achievement as scaling a steep mountain. Reaching the summit appears to be a feasible objective at first, but it gets harder with each step. It becomes more difficult to keep up your pace and concentration without losing sight as you climb farther. This is similar to what Cooley means when he says that success is a habit—it takes constant work and commitment.

The quote from Cooley highlights how hard it is to develop habits that result in steady success. The daily grind of carrying out those plans, frequently in the face of setbacks and obstacles, is more important than simply having lofty goals or lofty plans. Since perseverance and resilience are necessary for success, this process may seem overwhelming.

Cooley encourages us to approach our goals with the knowledge that long-term success is created over time through repeated actions rather than intermittent bursts of effort by framing success as a habit. Building the abilities and mentality required for success requires consistent practice, much like climbing a mountain over and over again to build the strength and stamina required for higher altitudes.

Essentially, Cooley's remarks are a reminder that, although success is very desirable, it necessitates consistent dedication and hard work—qualities that are difficult but necessary to make dreams come true.