Most people measure success monetarily. We spend the majority of our lives working towards success (“Defining success”). The word “success” is defined in the Merriam Webster dictionary as the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence. Individuals who would be considered successful in this generation are Kim Kardashian or even Justin Bieber. These celebrities simply live in the moment, without thinking about what their goals are. Everyone wants to be known for something. Success takes several different forms but because of societal issues we have lost sight of its true definition.
To be successful is to have a purpose, to know where you’re at, to know where you’re going and to not be afraid to work for it. Children are raised to believe they have to grow up and make tons of money or they’ll never be happy in life. If you don’t graduate from high school and go to college and get a master’s degree and get a job that pays six figures then you’re considered a failure. This is not true! A child should not do something they do not want to do. There is no good in doing anything anyone does not live.
For example, if a young man grew up wanting to become a doctor only because they earn good money yet, he actually wanted to become a teacher. All of the money in the world could not change his love for teaching. Money could not buy him leadership, a smile on his face every day or the warmth in his heart for knowing he influenced someone’s life. However, being a doctor can provide him with luxuries that eventually get boring such as that new car at the dealership so that makes up for it (“Aboukhadijeh”).
The general public should be taught to believe in psychological success; where love, family, and happiness are the greatest gifts of all (“Define Success”). Over the course of history, America has had many great leaders who have been named successful. Take Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for example, he was truly a work of art. Having grown up with not much, King surely wanted to better himself but he did that in a way that few at the time knew how to. This man found a passion.
He was passionate in his exceptional speeches and countless movements. To this day, Martin Luther King remains one of the most influential people of all time. Martin Luther King was one of few who was not afraid to stand up, say no and be brave enough to go against the rules. He may not have been the richest man in the world, but he is definitely a legendary one. Martin Luther King was successful because he wanted to be and nothing in the world was going to stop him from accomplishing his dream (“History. com Staff”).
He was a leader, he was a fighter, he was successful. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said,” To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded” (“Phyn”).
This is one of Emerson’s most famous quotes because it provides readers with a deeper knowledge of the word success. By doing all of those things, you can find a purpose and leave something on this earth for you to be remembered by. Being famous does not make you memorable. Being famous does not make you successful. Someone who’s known for giving back to their community versus someone who starred in a big movie is more successful than the other. Consequently, if teenagers were asked who they see as their role model, Oprah Winfrey or Kylie Jenner, Ms. Jenner would surely take the cake.
It is shocking that the words status and wealth, are both phrases that serve as the epitome of success (“Aboukhadijeh”). It is understandable that each individual has their own interpretation of success although, everyone knows there is a right and a wrong way to doing everything (“Definition Essay”). Whether success is within you, business, family, work, spiritually, or friends the human race naturally wants to be seen as successful (“Defintion Essay”). They want to better themselves (“Definition Essay”).
As long as reaching your goal is gone about the right way there’s no reason it cannot be met. Putting in the right amount of effort and determination can take anyone a long way. For example, Oprah Winfrey has been in numerous movies, has her own TV show, and is recognized as an award winning goddess in the business (“Oprah Winfrey Biography’). Oprah Winfrey has achieved the right kind of success through hard work and knowing where she wanted to go in life. Anyone who knows about Oprah has no doubt in their minds that she’s changed society. She has found the best in others and the best in herself.
Oprah Winfrey has found true success. In conclusion, if anyone were to be asked what success was to them the phrases “lot’s of money,” and “being famous” are likely to be said. People of this generation have lost sight of the true definition of success. Success comes with genuine achievements, finding oneself and making an impact. More scholarships would be given out and more community service would get done if everyone had a different mindset. When society wants to reevaluate who and what they see as successful, our world itself would change for the better.
