5 Obscure Success Rules Only the Top 1% Know

In a world where most success tips sound like recycled slogans and empty platitudes:

“Work hard”
“Stay disciplined”
or “network”

it can feel like there’s a hidden playbook that only a select few have access to.

The truth?

There are principles that go beyond traditional advice, understood and practiced only by those in the top 1%.

Here are five obscure success rules that might seem unconventional or even counterintuitive, yet they’ve been game-changers for the world’s top achievers.

Table of Contents

1. Operate with Asymmetry: Seek EV+ Opportunities

The most successful people understand the concept of asymmetric opportunities.

While the majority play it safe, focusing on predictable returns, the elite know that the key to exponential success lies in embracing opportunities with disproportionate upside—otherwise known as expected value positive (EV+) plays.

Rather than spreading resources thin across multiple safe bets, they seek out contrarian opportunities with potentially high rewards and relatively low risk.

This doesn’t mean they recklessly gamble – rather, they look for situations where the potential reward outweighs the probable risk significantly.

In these scenarios, even if they fail, the cost is minimal relative to the immense potential upside.

This might mean:

Investing in unconventional businesses
Pivoting into emerging industries
Or taking calculated risks that may look risky to outsiders but offer high reward potential based on specialized knowledge.

Example:

Take Elon Musk’s investments.

SpaceX
Tesla
And Paypal

weren’t sure things.

Most experts considered them high-risk bets, but Musk saw an EV+ play—a chance to revolutionize industries with significant upside for humanity and his business.

These weren’t haphazard risks – they were strategic plays with asymmetric potential, offering a “return to risk” ratio most people overlook.

2. Prioritize Strategic Neglect: The Power of No

One lesser-known principle of top achievers is strategic neglect.

Time and energy are finite resources, and while most people try to “do it all,” the elite recognize that saying NO to most things is necessary for their most impactful goals.

Strategic neglect is the art of identifying and choosing what to neglect so that you can focus on what truly matters.

Success requires ruthless prioritization.

If you’re spreading yourself too thin, your impact and results will reflect that.

The top 1% know that to say YES to the big things, they must say NO to the smaller ones, even if they seem important.

This might mean cutting down on:

Time spent on tasks that are good but not great
Relationships that are comfortable but not growth-oriented
Or goals that are safe but not transformational.

Example:

Warren Buffett famously said:

“The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say NO to almost everything.”

His focus on a few select investments rather than diversifying into countless ventures has made him one of the most successful investors in history.

3. Design for Daily Peak Performance: Energy Over Time Management

The 1% understand that managing time is only part of the equation—managing energy is where true productivity lies.

They realize that achieving peak performance isn’t about putting in endless hours – it’s about creating sustainable systems that optimize:

Energy
Focus
And creativity

when it matters most.

This involves being intentional with:

creating a foundation that enables consistent, high-quality output.

Many in the top 1% build schedules that revolve around their peak energy hours.

For example, if they’re naturally more alert in the morning, they’ll schedule their most challenging or high-stakes tasks early in the day.

They also pay attention to the fundamentals that sustain high energy, such as:

Sleep
Diet
Exercise
And mental health.

This way, they’re not just working hard – they’re working effectively, producing the kind of high-value results that only come from fully optimized energy levels.

Example:

Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s CEO, is known for protecting his mornings, using this time to gather his thoughts.

Then, he works when he feels most energized and creative, understanding that those moments are when he produces best.

4. Master Leverage: Focus on High-Impact, High-Scale Activities

Leverage is one of the top 1%’s best-kept secrets.

It’s the ability to amplify outcomes by maximizing input-to-output efficiency.

Rather than working incrementally, the elite focus on scalable activities that allow them to accomplish more with less effort.

This could involve leveraging:

Tech
Capital
Or systems

to expand their impact exponentially.

Instead of trading time for money or effort for reward, top achievers build and tap into systems that work for them—often even while they sleep.

They:

Create business models
Automate processes
Delegate efficiently
And build brands that scale far beyond their immediate reach.

Leverage is how they achieve explosive growth without burning out, as they understand that a well-leveraged system will outperform even the hardest-working person.

Example:

Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, mastered leverage by creating a brand umbrella strategy.

Once he succeeded in one industry, Branson expanded the Virgin brand across multiple sectors, including:

Airlines
Music
Telecom
And even space travel.

By leveraging Virgin’s brand reputation and recognition, he could enter diverse industries with lower customer acquisition costs and built-in trust.

Branson didn’t need to be an expert in each field – instead, he recruited specialized teams while using the Virgin name to create instant brand appeal.

This approach allowed Branson to build a sprawling business empire without needing direct involvement in each venture, amplifying the impact of his brand exponentially.

5. Cultivate Unshakeable Conviction: Inner Belief Drives Outer Success

The most successful people have a level of conviction that borders on audacious.

This isn’t blind confidence; it’s a deeply rooted belief in their vision and capabilities, a sense that they are capable of achieving great things.

Conviction is what allows them to push through:

Doubt
Criticism
And adversity

knowing that the journey to the top isn’t always smooth.

This level of belief requires:

A strong sense of self-awareness + understanding where your edge / unfair advantage is
A clear understanding of personal values + decision making principles
And a commitment to purpose that goes beyond fleeting motivation.

Conviction also allows them to stand by their ideas, even when they’re contrarian or unpopular.

The top 1% understand that true innovation and success often come from breaking with the crowd and sticking with their vision long enough to see it through.

While this belief can be isolating, it’s ultimately what gives them the courage to make bold moves that others wouldn’t dare to attempt.

Example:

Steve Jobs was infamous for his conviction.

He held a relentless belief in Apple’s vision for design and user experience, often making decisions that others saw as counterintuitive.

His conviction allowed him to create groundbreaking products that were years ahead of their time and establish Apple as one of the most valuable companies in the world.

Conclusion: The Playbook of the Elite

While these principles may seem obscure, they form the foundation of the success playbook for the top 1%.

Operating with asymmetry
Practicing strategic neglect
Prioritizing energy over time
Mastering leverage
And cultivating unshakeable conviction

are not just abstract ideas; they’re actionable rules that separate the elite from the masses.

Implementing these rules isn’t always easy, and it may require you to rethink traditional ideas of:

Productivity
Risk
And belief.

However, with consistent effort and dedication, you can begin to adopt these practices in your own life, setting yourself up for achievements that go far beyond the ordinary.

So, the next time you look to level up, remember:

The real secrets to success aren’t always found in popular advice or motivational clichés.

Sometimes, they’re hidden in the unconventional principles that only a select few dare to practice.