The definition of success is ambiguous because every individual may interpret the term differently. However, the English Oxford Dictionary aims to define the word as, “The accomplishment of an aim or purpose; the attainment of popularity or profit; a person or thing that achieves desired aims or attains prosperity; or the outcome of an undertaking, specified as achieving or failing to achieve its aims”. This definition brings to mind iconic figures, like Bill Gates and Jim Carrey, which many regard as rich and famous. People may believe that accomplishment and financial stability go hand-in-hand. Conversely, these prominent individuals illustrate that hard work and determination, not increased wealth, can lead to happiness. True success is …show more content…
The mighty and elite are not the only people capable of being successful. Everyone wants to be successful, and anyone can be if they are given a chance (Bond, 1). Success, then, is not about being wealthy or well known; success is about desire and ambition. While achieving dreams often leads to happiness, high-profile bankruptcies illustrate that money can generate more issues. Therefore, being a millionaire or having an abundance of cash does not substantiate the definition of success. However, this does not mean the rich and famous cannot also be successful. This is especially true if the famed individual fought and struggled for their status, all while maintaining a sense of humility. Professional NFL athlete, J.J. Watt, is a perfect example of this sentiment. Watt’s achievements are not because he is a well-known football player or because he has money. His successes are due to his passion and dedication to achieve his desires. When Watt talks about an important game, he humbly expresses, “It was one of the most special experiences of my life” (Connelly, 1). This statement exemplifies that Watt’s career is something that he lives for. Football makes him extremely happy and motivated to work, which is why he is successful. “As you go along,” Watt explains, “You kind of start to realize what it takes”. Watt’s success is not from his wealth and fame, it came …show more content…
There are numerous well-known individuals who were not simply handed ‘success’, their determination is the reason they are known today. Walt Disney had been fired by a newspaper editor due to his “lack of imagination and no good ideas” (Lutz, 1). During Walt Disney’s life, he was one incredibly successful individual. Although Walt failed in the beginning, he conquered his tragedy with his drive and determination in something he desired. Success is about trusting in oneself and never second guessing it. Success is not something anyone can wake up with one day, it as a process which can take days, months or even years. Chris, a student at the University of Michigan, tells his story on overcoming dyslexia. Chris’ work ethic was greater than most students due to his dyslexia, “it really gave me a good work ethic that will probably stick with me for the rest of my life, and I’m thankful for being dyslexic,” Chris explained (Wasco, 1). Chris was successful due to his “motivation, dedication, and hard work” toward his personal goal to overcome his dyslexia (Wasco,
When someone asks me how I define success I think of people. Enjoying what they do, not afraid of failing , and accomplishing their goals are qualities I look for in people. Not just making money defines someone as successful, but if someone can make good money and accomplish their goals then that would be perfect. Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, and Jimmy Butler are people I think of when someone mentions success because they make good money and love what they do.
Success is defined as the accomplishment of an aim or purpose and/or the attainment of popularity or profit.
Success can be an extremely broad subject. There is an abounding amount of different views on what the “true” definition of success is. Personally, I believe that success is finding happiness. Success is waking up in the morning and not having to worry about whether or not the bills are going to be paid this month. Success is having a job that you enjoy going to every day. Success is having friends and family who love and support you. Success does not mean that one has to be exceedingly rich or have a lakeside mansion. As long as they are happy, they have succeeded in life.
The definition of success varies around the world, but according to Malcolm Gladwell its achievement can be broken down into a few components. Although Gladwell never truly establishes credibility in his book Outliers, he still backs up his proposed theories with reputable studies and sources which intrigue the audience to keep reading.The purpose of Outliers was to enlighten people about the different elements of success while also informing them of real life situations where seemingly less than likely people beat the odds and became the powerful figures that they are today. The intended audience is anyone who is looking to become successful or who is perhaps interested in the idea of success itself and wishes to learn more about it. Understandably, a secondary audience could be high school students who are about to venture out into the world on their own because with this book they will hopefully start paying attention to different factors of their lives and seizing opportunities that they may have otherwise passed up. Malcolm Gladwell talks about the 10,000 Hour Rule and also how I.Q. does not amount to much without creativity. He also speaks of how chance opportunity comes into play and that the distant background of a person still reflects how they handle situations in their present day life. Gladwell’s Outliers successfully informs the reader about the different components that add up to success with probable theories and credible studies to make for an interesting and motivational read.
Since the very beginning of time, man has tried to achieve success. Success, as defined by https://www.google.com, is “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.” This definition of success is very objective, but there are flaws to it. A person that values happiness will not be successful to themselves if they gain a lot of money but they aren't happy. Success is within the mind of the individual. A large portion of one's life is spent working to become successful. People are told throughout their childhood to work hard so they can grow up and make lots of money. But success takes many different forms. Different people have different interpretations of what success means to them. For some, success is measured by social status and wealth; for
Ninety percent of Americans state they find success in having a happy, healthy family and being able to achieve personal goals (Angier). The large extent of Americans who state this show the in which success can be something other than having large, fancy, extravagant possessions. Earl Nightingale states, “Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored.” Nightingale explains to make someone happy and successful, the individual would have to do it themselves. This explanation by Nightingale rings ever true in the idea of happiness and success are only accomplishable by the individual wishing to achieve it. Whatever is near and dear to the individual’s heart is what can make them successful, not the lavish items often portrayed in entertainment media watched everyday. These examples are not what make people successful as shown by the overwhelming opinion of the public. The majority of the public believes possessions are not what make them successful, but the simple ideas such as a healthy family and the achievement of their
Over thousands of years people have been driven by success, but what is success? Success to me is the ability to perform at your highest level in the path in life that you take. I believe that if you are not driven to be the very best at the things you do then it is not a calling. There are plenty of opportunities in life and you should take everyone you get. Success is a word that is on a broad spectrum, there is no single definition to the word. I define what success is for me. There is no set image of success, success is also constantly changing. The word success means achieving what I want to do in life, and to prosper in the situations my life has put me in.
Happiness, what is it, and why do we strive to achieve it so persistently? Happiness in some points of view is portrayed as the state that is derived from self-awareness of a benefiting action or moment taking place. What of the moments that are not beneficial? Can a person still find moments of happiness and success in discord, a little glimmer of light shining from the deep recesses of our own consciousness? Plucking it from a mere moment, achieved from money, or is it so much more, happiness is the precipice that all strive to gain to better perceive their success. As a person lives, they are in a constant struggle to be happy. For instance, even the United States Constitution makes reference to the idea that every person has the inalienable right to pursue happiness. This was the resulting outcome of the enlightenment from France, spilling out into the rest of the world from 1650 through 1800. This revolutionized the idea that every single person has the inalienable right to happiness or in different views the right to succeed. As to how one peruses or conjures their happiness that is an entirely different concept and completely up to their preferred preference, but it is something that a person needs to find on their own for true success.
'One has achieved success who has lived well and laughed often.'; This quote seems to sum up what is meant by success. If you are able to laugh often and much then you have definitely achieved happiness. The idea of living well, though, is a very broad statement. In order, then, to define success in relation to this statement, we must first define what it means to live well. There are three levels of success, in my opinion: societal success, personal success, and academic or professional success. If someone can achieve all of these three levels of success, they are someone who has lived well.
“If you can dream it, you can do it,”-Walt Disney. Walt did exactly that.Walt Disney had the disability dyslexia. Walt was very, very determined to be able to work around his dyslexia.Walt Disney overcame dyslexia with determination; he was very successful in life and created the Disney empire.
Success itself is a many-sided subject that means different thing to different people. For some people success means having lots of money while for others it could mean having a great relation and friendship in life. It is pertinent to state here that money is now being used as a standard to measure success. Knowing full
Ever since the times of the BC era, wealth had defined success (Definition of Success). A wealthy person of those times would be looked at as a superior being, they would be someone you’d show respect for. They were successful. Although that's the definition of success back then, does it mean something different now? Like every human being, and every past structure of society, the word evolves with time because society's’ values change. The definition of the word “success” was often considered as the achievement of wealth, but now it has become modernized to fit into today's society. Today, success is thought as an individual doing what makes them happy in life, generally doing their best, or even contributing positive things to the world to make it a better place (What does success mean).
The true definition of success is the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. Although, many people have different perceptions of success. Success is judged by the individuals themselves. Success can be defined in many ways including: wealth, happiness, fame, etc. Success can be anything from material goods to concepts. It all depends on your concept and how you achieve your goals. You have to have persistence within yourself. Varying on your profession, you will need a certain skill level. Your definition of success can be suitable best for you, but not for others. It is about truly not giving up, reaching your full potential, and self-fulfillment.
Is there someone you know that is wealthy and prominent? Do they demonstrate the characteristics of a successful person in today’s society? Media today has effectively convinced our society into accepting an untrue, even possibly hazardous definition of success. Even though Webster’s dictionary defines success as “achieving wealth, respect, and fame,” the definition of success is different for everyone. Society wants us to accept that having money, having big house, and owning multiple cars is the key to happiness, and henceforth, success. This is a lie; success is not having a large amount of money nor does it have to deal with fame.
Meaning of success has become confusing. We live in the world that tells us that it is important to be rich rather than be happy. We all know examples of people who are famous and rich, but are very unhappy. For example comedian Dave Chappelle had his own TV show and became a famous and a rich person. Yet underneath he was very unhappy; He was so unhappy that he had to stop his show because he had a nervous breakdown from the pressure of being