What Does it Take to Achieve the Success You Seek?

I regularly have a discussion where I ask people what is it that causes some people to be more successful than others. By successful I mean able to achieve the goals the person desires ( assuming these are real possibilities).

It  takes talent; but we have all experienced situations where it is not necessarily the most talented person who is the moist successful. In reality there are probably a number of factors, but for me three specific requirements seem to make a huge difference. These are:

Clarity about the goal - If we don't know what we are seeking, how can we expect to get there, so be very clear about exactly what it is you want.

Motivation -  People who are most successful have the drive and determination to do whatever it takes to make their goal a reality. They keep going no matter how tough the challenge.

Self Belief - You must believe you can succeed and see yourself achieving your desired goal. I am fascinated by people who overcome significant obstacles to fulfill ambitions. People like Oscar Pistorius who fulfilled an ambition to become "the fastest man on no legs"; or Janine Roebuck who despite succumbing to a genetic predisposition to deafness  succeeded in becoming a professional opera singer; or Lewis Hamilton who aspired and fulfilled his ambition to race Formula One cars. There are many more stories of extraordinary achievement by ordinary people.

Sir Edmund Hillary said "You don’t have to be a fantastic hero to do certain things – to compete. You can be just an ordinary chap, sufficiently motivated.” 

I'd love to hear your stories of what you have achieved when sufficiently motivated.