The Secret of Success
This well loved poem by Nixon Waterman shares a simple yet powerful lesson about success. Written with humor and warmth, it reminds us that steady effort often matters more than chasing every new idea.
Success grows when we stay steady, even when others chase what looks better.
Updated January 28, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer
The Secret of Success may make you smile at first, but it carries a message worth keeping. Through a simple story, it reminds us that steady effort often leads to better results than always looking for something new.
The lesson is lighthearted, but it is also practical. When we stay with a good plan and keep working at it, we often move closer to the goals we care about most.
This poem uses a simple berry picking story to remind us to stay focused.
The Secret of Success
One day in huckleberry time, when little Johnny Flails
And half a dozen other boys were starting with their pails
To gather berries, Johnny's pa, in talking with him, said
That he could tell him how to pick so he'd come out ahead.
"First find your bush," said Johnny's pa, "and then stick to it till
You've picked it clean. Let those go chasing all about who will
In search of better bushes, but it's picking tells, my son.
To look at fifty bushes doesn't count like picking one."
And Johnny did as he was told, and sure enough he found
By sticking to his bush while all the others chased around
In search of better picking, 'twas as his father said;
For while the others looked he worked, and so came out ahead.
And Johnny recollected this when he became a man.
And first of all he laid him out a well-determined plan.
So while the brilliant triflers failed with all their brains and push.
Wise steady-going Johnny won by "sticking to his bush."
Key Messages
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Success grows through focus.
Staying with one goal often brings better results than chasing many ideas at once.
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Consistency matters.
Small steady effort, repeated over time, can take you further than short bursts of excitement.
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Patience and persistence work together.
When progress feels slow, sticking with a good plan can still move you forward.
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Action beats endless searching.
While others look for something better, the one who keeps working often gets ahead.
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Simple advice can hold real wisdom.
This poem reminds us that success is often built on practical choices we can make every day.
Popular Pages
Here are a few popular pages filled with poems and quotes to encourage you, lift your outlook, and help you keep going.
Visit Famous Poems to enjoy timeless verses that have encouraged readers for generations.
Poems Of Encouragement offers uplifting words to help you stay hopeful and keep moving forward.
Funny Poems is a cheerful place to find lighthearted verses that can brighten your day.
Funny Poems About Life shares playful poems that remind us not to take life too seriously.
Success Poems will encourage you to stay focused, work steadily, and keep reaching for your goals.
Success Quotes gives you quick words of wisdom that can motivate you when you need a boost.
Don't Quit Poem is a strong reminder to keep trying, even when the journey feels hard.
Determination Quotes offers short inspiring lines to help you stay strong and finish what you start.
Inspirational Poems is filled with uplifting poems that encourage faith, courage, and a positive attitude.
Conclusion
This poem reminds us that success is often built through steady effort rather than quick changes. By staying focused on one path and continuing to work at it, we give ourselves the chance to grow and improve over time. The lesson is simple, yet it carries lasting value.
The Secret of Success encourages us to look at our own goals with patience and determination. Instead of searching for something better, the poem suggests that real progress comes from making the most of what is already in front of us. When we commit to our efforts, small steps can lead to meaningful results.
As you reflect on this poem, let it be a reminder to keep going, even when progress feels slow. Success often comes quietly, through daily choices and continued effort. By staying consistent and believing in the work you are doing, you move closer to the goals you hope to achieve.
More Famous Poems Of Encouragement to Inspire
What you keep working at today may become the success you see tomorrow.