Why are some people more successful than others?

There are many people with similar skills, aptitudes, talents, smartness and attitudes. Yet, some of them are more successful than others? Is it just luck or do these people have a more positive outlook, perseverence, and keep on trying till they reach their goal? Or is it because they think more rationally and plan well in advance? Or, is it something else?

All things being equal, I believe that largely it's luck. That said, rarely are all things equal. So, the traits that I believe tend to make people more successful than others include a practical approach to problem solving, an ability to see the bigger picture, and the "right" perspective on what matters in life. I think that "success" is largely a subjective thing so ultimately having the right perspective matters tremendously. I think a "don't sweat the small stuff" attitude is tremendously beneficial.

Positive Self Talk (i.e. knock or control the negative), Obsessive Planning/Goal Setting (short and long term) , constant adjustment (due to knowing what result you want). Most successul people apply these basic laws (whether they know it or not): The Law of Control (everything happens by direction), The Law of Cause and Effect (clear, repeated goals b/c the primary cause of effects in life), The Law of Belief (in my opinion, the most important--your outer world is a reflection of inner world), The Law of Expectation (tend to GET what you expect), The Law of Attraction (your think/write goals your intensify the speed of vibration that causes you to attract people and circumstances to help you), The Law of Subconscious Activity (what is the title of the N. Hill Book, THINK and GROW RICH--the point of the book is in the title), The Law of Substitution (whatever you think about most is accepted as fact in your mind, so you can replace negatives), The Law of Concentration (whatever you think about or dwell upon grows in your life), and The Law of Superconscious Activity (top secret, refer to THINK and GROW RICH). Most successful people TAKE ACTION w/ passion. Also, luck never hurts, but is usually due to past planning.