Actually, it is a combination of luck and effort. We are all born with certain privileges not enjoyed by everyone. Some are obvious, for example, it is much easier for a sighted person to become a writer than a person who's blind. Some are subtle; our nationality, race, gender, our parent's socioeconomic status and education...all confer certain advantages or disadvantages that have nothing to do with one's effort.

To believe that all success is due to one's effort is making the "Just world fallacy" thinking error. It shows a lack of compassion for the downtrodden, many of whom were not blessed with the advantages you might have enjoyed in life.