# 5 Myths About Success Science Debunks

> Science debunks 5 common success myths with data.
- Title: 5 Myths About Success Science Debunks · VICE | Shortify
- Summary: Science debunks 5 common success myths with data. Science shows practice alone, rewards, mindset workshops, grit, and passion aren't reliable success factors.
- Keywords: 10,000-hour rule, rewards, growth mindset, grit, passion, success, VICE
- Source: VICE — https://vice.com/en/article/5-common-myths-about-success-that-science-has-already-debunked
- Author: Ashley Fike
- Published: 2026-11-13T19:43:26+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: 10,000-hour rule, rewards, growth mindset, grit, passion, science, success, news, culture
## Head Heat Myth
Your head loses 10% of body heat, but sugar doesn't cause childhood tantrums.
## Practice Alone Myth
Deliberate practice explains 26% of game performance differences but less than 1% in professional jobs.
## Rewards Myth
Rewards don't ruin motivation under most conditions, but can hurt in specific situations.
## Mindset Workshop Myth
Growth mindset workshops show little academic improvement, especially when researchers have financial ties.
## Grit Myth
Grit has only a modest connection to success, mostly covered by conscientiousness.
## Passion Myth
Passion develops through experience, not waiting for it to strike.
## Key takeaway

Science shows practice alone, rewards, mindset workshops, grit, and passion aren't reliable success factors.