Success Definition Essay

954 Words2 Pages

“Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value” is how Albert Einstein defined success, so is that what it really means to be successful? Over time people in society have developed a view that celebrities and wealthy people are a true representation of success. But what truly defines a person of success? Merriam Webster states that success is a “favorable or desired outcome; also: the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence.” Although most people admire this definition, success should really be defined as this: it cannot be achieved until witnessing failure and is not the same for each individual which encourages various definitions, and how success is reached through a journey filled with obstacles, not easily attained. One does not fully understand the feeling of success until witnessing failure. The success portrayed on television shows ideal success, and people feel that achieving this goal is very easy. Though the legitimate feeling of success isn’t truly accepted until one fails at achieving their goal and later work twice as hard to reach that target. I can say from my own experience that this is true when I failed to pass my permit. Even though I had practiced for weeks with my parents, it still wasn’t enough. When it came time for my second try, I practiced everyday for thirty minutes for two weeks and finally passed, I was overjoyed even though it wasn’t my driver’s license. This made me realize that failure helps you understand that you have to work even harder to obtain the success you desire, and makes you feel accomplished. Another example that presents this idea is how Martin Luther King Jr. struggled to complete his success. Dr. King was a leader in the African American Civil Rights ... ... middle of paper ... ...her success. She got up on her feet and realized, she has to put forth her education, to not have a life like her family; this helped her succeed. Not only did she get into Princeton being a Hispanic, but also she was so highly determined that she became a highly appointed Supreme Court judge, which was her childhood dream. Many other examples can be brought to the table that success is a path and not just at attaining the goal itself. Success cannot be put into one definition like it was on Merriam Webster, because success has a more intricate, complex meaning to it that is based on age, values, lifestyle and viewpoints. The definition of success is immeasurable, and can mean something entirely different for everyone. In conclusion our society who has been exposed to one solid definition should realize people could complete success in a personal, distinct way.

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