Re: The "secret" to blockchain success: There is no secret
Yes, hard work really pays off at the end. Personally, that's the first lessons I learned when I just starting my own business. You really need to work very hard day in day out. Wake up early and see everything is in place and you should also have a contingency plan and as @hugeblack has said, think outside of the box. I think the article has summarize everything, and really there's no secrets but just laying out a good plan and following and sticking to it and of course work you butt off. 
Hard work and dedication itself would already be a secret but if we do think of its not really a secret at all yet all of us would able to do such thing.It would only just depend on a certain person if hes persistent on his goals in life. Each one of us do have different targets but the most common path to target on is on how to get rich yet we do know on what life to be experienced if we are financially free.Look up a successful person and follow what they did 
Having an inspiration isnt bad but you should not just limit yourself to be under that person. Strive to take even greater or better and having this mentality will really push you up effectively but dont go beyond exaggerated.