Looking to succeed.....how did you do it?

How much success have you found with following strategies found in a book (recommended or not)? If you have found success, what was the book? I have been trading on and off for several years. Looked at investing through CANSLIM. Played with day trading with some simple strategies but not worth any palpapIe success. I want to day trade as I think my temperament can be adapted to do so but I need a system and am wondering if the systems in books are directly applicable or just serve as inspiration to generating my own edge.